City Summer Program Keeps Kids Active

Summer is around the corner, and parents are likely thinking about what to do when their kids are out of school.

The is offering its 2012 Summer Youth Program at the .

The program runs June 11 through Aug. 17 and is available to children who have completed kindergarten, but not yet entered eighth grade, according to a city press release. It offers activities to keep children busy during the summer, with five swimming pools, a 150-ft. water slide, basketball, tennis, gymnastics, volleyball and more.

Booger Wars, hamster ball races and Wii gaming were some of the activities that kids participated in during .

“Our counselors are constantly changing up the activities for the kids so they don’t get restless or bored,” said Danielle Perez, youth program coordinator, last year. “We are always thinking on our feet and adapting to their needs, as they might not want to do something everyone else is doing.”

The program is offered Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. It costs about $50 per week, which can be paid monthly or in full (recreation membership required), the release states. Memberships also include discounts on swimming lessons, gym classes, tennis camps and more. Field trips are offered at an additional cost.

“This program has been around for awhile, and in the 90s we increased the amount of field trips for the children at the request of the parents,” said James Chambers, director of Leisure Services. “There weren’t as many places to go to back then like there are now.”

This year’s trips will include , the , Tampa Bay Rays baseball, , Candy College and Qzar Laser Tag, according to the release.

Registration is under way now and will continue until the program is full. To register, or for more information, call 813-506-6600.