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YMCA's summer teen camp has openings

The YMCA of the Suncoast has more than two dozen slots for its free Teen Adventure Camp in Tarpon Springs.

TARPON SPRINGS - With school almost out, the YMCA is in search of middle school students looking for summer adventure.

The YMCA of the Suncoast has 30 slots for its free Teen Adventure Camp in Tarpon Springs, which offers 10 weeklong sessions for students ages 10 to 14. To qualify for the camp, students must be eligible for free or reduced-price lunch or live in public housing.

"Fun, adventure and challenge are the key words," said Mike Roberts, senior program director at YMCA's Greater Palm Harbor branch.

The camp is largely funded by a $145,000 grant to the YMCA from the Pinellas County Juvenile Welfare Board, specifically to serve middle school students. The YMCA was one of four recipients of a total of $498,600, which will serve about 1,000 middle school youths this summer, said Lisa Sahulka, director of programs and finance for the Juvenile Welfare Board. Other grant recipients are the city of St. Petersburg, the Boys and Girls Club and Tarpon Springs Housing Authority.

For the YMCA, the grant provides camp funding of $50 a week for each youth for 10 weeks.

Teen Adventure Camp is an opportunity for students to spend their weekdays socializing, learning from counselors and having fun, Roberts said.

It also will give campers a sense of purpose for the summer.

"We all know there are things they could be doing that we don't necessarily want them to be doing," he said.

The camp will focus on character development and team-building skills, and will be supervised by at least three YMCA staff members. Activities will include sports, games, arts and crafts and swimming trips.

Camp will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 24 to July 30 at Tarpon Springs Elementary School. Students may sign up for one or more weeklong sessions. Campers are responsible for their own transportation and lunch. A snack will be provided.

The program will also be offered this summer by YMCA branches in High Point, Ridgecrest and Clearwater.

For information about registering, call Mike Roberts at (727) 785-2758.