Summer Is Here With Camps For Every Interest

It's that time of year again. Summer camps are being offered by the Hernando County Parks & Recreation Department and the YMCA, to name a few.

Camp Registration

For YMCA Now Open

The YMCA of the Suncoast, 1236 Mariner Blvd., has announced it is now accepting registration for summer camps running from June 9 through Aug. 15 at the following locations:

Chocachatti, Deltona, Westside and Spring Hill elementary schools, Powell Middle School, Hernando High School and Sand Hill Scout Reservation.

Teen Excursion and Pre-K specialty camps will be held at Spring Hill Elementary.

The YMCA offers specialty programs for all ages, call Jo-Ann Tucker for more information at 352-686-9622.

Hernando County Parks

& Recreation Department camps:

CAMP FUNSHINE

A traditional day camp for children who enjoy group activities, sports, crafts, making friends and having fun. On-site demonstrations, field trips and daily activities make up the weekly schedule. Trips to the skating rink, movie theater, bowling lanes, swimming at Buccaneer Bay and more are all included. The recommended ages for this camp are 5 to 12 years old, children must be 5 by Sept. 1. Financial aid may be available on a first come, first serve basis and you must meet certain criteria, call the Hernando County Recreation Department at 352-754-4031 for more information.

Campers will receive one camp shirt, which must be worn on all field trips. Additional shirts may be purchased for $10 each. There is a one-time, non refundable registration fee of $10 per participant. Weekly camp fee is $85 per camper and payments are due on Monday, one week in advance of the week your child will be attending. Late fees will apply if payment is made after the due date. The payment schedule is listed below for the weeks of summer camp 2008. Breakfast and lunch may be available, check with your site to be sure.

Locations and limits:

Parrott Middle School (weeks 1-7), 75 campers

Suncoast Elementary (weeks 1-7), 75 campers

Fox Chapel Middle (weeks 1-7). 75 campers

Delta Woods Park (weeks 8-9), 50 campers

Kennedy Park (weeks 8-9), 50 campers

Schedule of weeks:

June 16 through July 28 with extended camp Aug. 4 and Aug.11 (this schedule also includes Sports camp).

INCLUSION CAMP - New for 2008

In cooperation with the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) and Hernando County School's Exceptional Student Education Department, the Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department have added a new addition to their traditional summer camp lineup. They are offering two weeks of Inclusion camp at our Suncoast Elementary location, June 23-27 and July 28- Aug. 4. All submitted applications will be reviewed by a committee in order for the staff to provide the highest degree of care and fun. Those accepted for camp will be notified in early May and the Parks and Recreation Department will hold an open house on June 10 at the Community Activity Center from 4 to 7 p.m. for families to meet the staff and have the opportunity to discuss specific questions or concerns. The Parks and Recreation Department is looking forward to the opportunity to open our program to a broader community of children in Hernando County. Cost is $85 per camper, per week. There is a one-time, nonrefundable registration fee of $10 per participant.

SPORTS CAMP

Skills and drills. Sports being taught include flag football, soccer, baseball and softball, basketball, disc golf, dodge ball, kickball, lacrosse, tennis and volleyball. The concentration of daily instruction will be on a variety of sports, overall wellness education, healthy eating suggestions and daily exercising. On-site demonstrations, field trips and daily activities make up the weekly schedule. Trips to the skating rink, movie theater, bowling lanes, swimming at Buccaneer Bay and more are all included. Recommended ages for this camp are 8 to 12 years old. Financial aid may be available on a first come, first serve basis and you must meet certain criteria. Campers will receive one camp shirt, which must be worn on all field trips. Additional shirts may be purchased for $10 each.

There is a one-time, non refundable registration fee of $10 per participant. Weekly camp fee is $85 per camper. Payments are due on Monday, one week in advance of the week you are attending. Late fees will apply if payment is made after the due date.

The payment schedule is listed below Camp Funshine for the weeks of summer camp 2008. Breakfast and lunch may be available, please check with your site to be sure.

Locations And Limits:

Parrott Middle School (weeks 1-7), 75 campers

Fox Chapel Middle (weeks 1-7). 75 campers

(After week 7, campers may attend an extended camp location where the curriculum is a combination of sports activities and traditional camp guidelines. See Camp Funshine locations and limits.)

TENNIS CAMP

LOCATION: Heather Golf & Country Club

DATES: June 9-13, June 23-27 and/or July 7-11

COST: $95

AGES: 8-14 (adults may call for additional times)

TIME: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday - Thursday

LIMIT: 12 campers

Learn basic to intermediate strokes and techniques, play rally ball and more. Taught by Judy Jeanette and staff at the Heather Golf and Country Club Clubhouse. Campers will need to bring drinks, lunch, snacks and a small towel daily.

FISHING CAMP

LOCATION: Community Activity Center

DATES: June 9-13

COST: $175

AGES: 10-15

LIMIT: 24 campers

Itinerary

Monday: Half-day at base camp learning the basics of fishing tackle, knots, casting, messed up lines and reels, then onto fishing at Colt Creek State Park.

Tuesday: After learning the hydro cycle its onto Mary's Fish Camp to fish for drum, sheepshead, mullet, redfish, mangrove snapper, snook, trout and catfish.

Wednesday: Travel to Fort De Soto and fish from the piers for saltwater fish. Tour the fort and swim.

Thursday: Fish the brackish and saltwater canals of the Buffer Preserve in Crystal River.

Friday: Apollo Deep Sea Fishing Charter. Catch all you can, keep all that's legal length. All equipment and a variety of bait provided. We will have five spaces available for parents at an additional cost of $25.