Apply Now for Hillsborough’s Max Out Summer Camps; Price Reasonable, Spots Limited

Registration is underway and spots are accepted to fill up fast for Hillsborough County’s Max Out Summer Camp program, a competitively priced summer offering of the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department.

The camps are set to run June 13 through Aug. 19 at 33 county parks for children ages 5 to 15. Open weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., the camps offer a supervised playground program, games, arts and crafts and sports.

Marty Bradley, a senior recreation specialist at the Brandon Recreation Center and park, 502 E. Sadie St, looks forward to her mission as camp supervisor.

‘It’s one my favorite times year because we get to see kids we don’t see during the school year,” said Bradley, who’s been working for the county recreation department for 25 years.

The camps often fill up quickly. In the past parents would sometimes camp out overnight to be first in line, Bradley recalled. “But that’s when we just had the registration on Saturdays. Registration times are more convenient for parents now.” Although the camps usually fill up quickly, the staff puts together a waiting list after registration.

The Brandon program at the Brandon Recreation Center and park has spots for 375 youngsters this summer.

And while it sounds like a lot, Bradley and her staff divide their charges into smaller, manageable groups splitting them by grade and age levels. “We rotate everyone so each group has an equal opportunity to do indoor and outdoor activities.”

Parents can also chose to pay on the spot at graduation and save $80 off the regular $480 fee. They can also elect to register for half of the season and pay $240. The half-term camps run June 13 through July 15 and July 18 through Aug. 19.

 Parents with children enrolled in the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department’s after-school programs were asked to register April 18 or 19, from 6-8 p.m.,  to reserve a spot in the summer program.

Registration applications for children not currently enrolled in after-school programs  are being accepted April 20 and 21, 6-8 p.m. Registration must be completed at the recreation center at which the child is to attend summer camp.

The camps cost $480 although discounts are available based on income. To determine eligibility, registrants must bring the first page of Form 1040, the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, for 2010.

 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