Good News For Parents; Clearwater To Offer Summer Camp

CLEARWATER, FL — As other municipalities and counties around the state announce the cancellation of summer camps due to the coronvirus, Clearwater parents are in luck.

The city of Clearwater has decided to open its summer camps to children with some stipulations including limited capacities and safety precautions to keep kids and staff safe.

"It has been a challenging time these past few months, especially for parents and children having to juggle work and school life in new, creative ways," said Jason Beisel, senior public information coordinator for the city. "To help give parents a break and to keep children active, the city of Clearwater will be offering limited-capacity summer camps June 8 through Aug. 7."

Campers will be assigned to groups of 10 overseen by a staff member and will stay with the same group all day. The camps will also do daily wellness checks of staff and campers and eliminate field trips and large gatherings.

With spaces being limited to maintain Centers for Disease Control and Prevention physical distancing guidelines, the city will hold a lottery for camp spaces. Clearwater residents, local business owners and city employees will get priority in the lottery.

Lottery forms can be found here and will be collected May 19-25. The lottery will be held May 27 and parents will be notified starting May 28.

The following camps will be offered:

Elementary School Summer Camps (grades kindergarten through sixth)

• Ages 5 (completed kindergarten) to 12
• June 8-Aug. 7
• 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Participants must sign up for the entire nine-week camp. There are no weekly options.
• The cost is $700 for those paying up front for the whole summer or $80 per week with $160 due at registration.
• A limited number of scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Countryside Recreation Center
2640 Sabal Springs Drive, 727-669-1914

Long Center
1501 N. Belcher Road, 727-793-2320

Morningside Recreation Complex
2400 Harn Blvd., 727-562-4280

JWB-Sponsored Elementary School Camp

• Ages 5 (completed kindergarten) to 12
• June 8-Aug. 7
• 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• There is no cost. Children must be enrolled in the Junior Welfare Board-sponsored OST program.
• Participants must sign up for the entire none-week camp. There are no weekly options.

Ross Norton Recreation Center
1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., 727-562-4380