Yard Sale, Family Fun, Max Out Summer Camp Registration at Brandon Park on April 23

Enjoy a yard sale and family fun day at the and help support a kid at camp this summer.

 Organizers say all proceeds from the April 23 event at 510 East Sadie St. will help pay the way for children in need to attend Hillsborough County after-school andprograms.

“It will help those families who might have lost a job or have difficulty paying for the programs,” said Marty Bradley, the center’s senior recreation specialist. 

The Brandon  accommodates 375 youngsters and as of April 21 had more than 100 unfilled spots. Registration for the remaining spots will be taken at the April 23 yard sale.

In years past, parents would camp out overnight in tents outside the center to be first in line when the registration opened, Bradley said.

Signing up has become much more manageable in recent years, but not due to a lack of kudos for the reasonably priced program.

"It’s really affordable, it’s a safe place, the kids are not out in the hot sun all day, the staff is great, my daughter loves it and everything is included,” said Andrea Robertson, who waited in a line of about 50 parents deep on April 20 to register her daughter, Sophie, for the camp.

“I like it here because there are lots of fun things to do here and I make new friends,” said Sophie, who is signed up for a third year of the camp.

You can’t beat the price, added parent Karen Wicker, who turned up early to get her place in line.

“Some of the other camps were looking for more than $150 a week,” she said. “This really is the best value and it’s a good camp.”

Cost for the camp, which runs June 13 through Aug. 19, is $480. Pay in full at the time of registration and the price drops to $400.

The county camp program also allows for a discount based on need. To qualify, a registrant needs to submit the first page of the Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for 2010.

The cost to register for half the camp season is $240. The half-term camps run June 13 through July 15 or July 18 through Aug. 19.

The program is offered at more than 30 sites throughout the county.

For more information, contact the recreation center your child will be attending or call the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department at 813-635-3500. You can view and print the application form online.

The Max Out Summer Camp is scheduled to be offered at the following Great Brandon (and nearby) recreation centers:

• Bloomingdale Park, 3940 Canoga Park Drive, Brandon / (813) 744-5907
• Brandon Park, 502 E. Sadie St., Brandon / (813) 635-8179
• Keysville Park, 9390 Edison Road, Lithia / (813) 757-3717
• Mango Park, 11717 Clay Pit Road, Seffner / (813) 635-7489    
• Providence West Park, 5417 Providence Road, Riverview / (813) 635-7452
• Riverview Park, 7807 Capitano St., Riverview / (813) 671-7617
• Progress Village Park, 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa / (813) 671-7633 
• Apollo Beach Park, 664 Golf & Sea Blvd., Apollo Beach / (813) 671-7635
• Turkey Creek Park, 5936 Connell Road, Plant City / (813) 757-3822
• Valrico Park, 707 S. Miller Road, Valrico / (813) 744-5928

The remaining 23 sites, which might be more convenient to work or to family and other caregivers, are noted below:

• All Peoples Life Center, 6105 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa / (813) 744-5595
• Bethune Park,  5809 Edina St., Wimauma / (813) 671-7618
• Carrollwood Meadows Park, 13918 Farmington Blvd., Tampa / (813) 964-2952
• Carrollwood Park, 3516 McFarland Road, Tampa / (813) 975-2104 
• Country Place Park, 15728 Country Lake Drive, Tampa / (813) 964-2921
• Egypt Lake Park, 3126 W. Lambright St., Tampa / (813) 975-2103
• Gardenville Park, 6219 Symmes Road, Gibsonton / (813) 672-1120
• Jackson Springs Park, 8620 Jackson Springs Road, Tampa / (813) 554-5004   
• Kenly Park, 3101 N. 66th St., Tampa / (813) 744-5531
• Keystone Park, 17928 Gunn Highway, Odessa / (813) 264-3819
• Morganwoods Park, 7510 Soccer Ave., Tampa / (813) 801-6844
• Mort (NFL/YET) Park, 1815 E. 148th Ave., Lutz / (813) 975-2101
• Northdale Park, 5550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa / (813) 264-8956
• Northlakes Park, 2604 N. Lakeview Drive, Tampa / (813) 264-3824
• Nye Park, 630 Sunset Lane, Lutz / (813) 264-3805
• Roy Haynes Park, 1902 S. Village Ave., Tampa / (813) 903-3480
• Ruskin Park, 901 6th St. S.E., Ruskin / (813) 672-7881
• Thonotosassa Park, 10132 Skewlee Road, Thonotosassa / (813) 987-6206
• Timberlane Park, 10210 Westgate Drive, Tampa / (813) 554-5048
• Town ‘N Country Park, 7002 W. Hanna Ave., Tampa / (813) 801-6863
• University Park, 14015 N. 22nd St., Tampa / (813) 903-2200
• Westchase Park, 9791 Westchase Drive, Tampa / (813) 964-2948
• Winston Park,7605 Destin Drive, Tampa / (813) 744-5539