Benefits

Personnel

Recreation Camp Sites

Before & Afterschool Registration

Early Bird Registration

Priority Summer Registration

Resident Summer Registration

Non-resident Summer Registration

Introduction

We strive to offer you friendly customer service and quality child care programs regardless of gender, geographic location, economic status, or ability of the child. The City of St. Petersburg Before and Afterschool Program begins on August 21, 2007 and ends June 3, 2008. We are open most school holidays, teacher's holidays, and shortened school days. Participants and parents are encouraged to become involved by offering suggestions and comments on our programs! Anytime you have a comment, or a concern, please call or stop by and talk to your center supervisor or the assistant supervisor. Your support and involvement is the key to our successful programs! Parents are welcomed to observe our program at any time. Your input is appreciated and needed.

Benefits

The year-round Playcamp Program is just one of the many exciting and popular programs offered by the St. Petersburg Recreation Department. Each Before and Afterschool Playcamp Program is licensed for school age child care and our department meets and generally exceeds all licensing standards. Our programs are youth development oriented with creative activities for children of all age groups. We offer well trained staff with on-site supervision, sign in/out procedures, games, sports, playground activities, arts and crafts, and special events. We are under contract with Coordinated Child Care to provide financial assistance for our parents. Please call Coordinated Child Care if you need assistance at 727-547-5700. The City offers a Fee Assistance Program for City residents only. Please see the Center supervisor for specific guidelines.

Personnel

The Recreation Department thoroughly interviews each staff member before hiring. A police check, HRS background screening, affidavit of moral character, and workplace drug screening are completed before staff can begin work. Past work history and character references are checked. All Department personnel are required to hold current certifications in CPR and Standard First Aid. Staff members must complete 40 hours of child care classes required through the Pinellas County License Board for Children Centers, two hours of brain development information and attend training clinics of 20 hours for part time staff and 40 hours for full time staff throughout the year. The City of St. Petersburg Recreation Department is very active in the Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) and personnel attend local and statewide training programs with other Recreation Departments. Recreation youth development workers, better known as "coaches", supervise your children. They must be at least 18 years of age and have a High School Diploma. Many of our coaches are attending a local college. They are responsible for planning and organizing safe and fun activities for a group of 20 to 25 children. Attendance is taken daily and children are signed in and out with their coach by their parent and/or guardian.

Along with youth development workers, other staff working with you and your child include: recreation center assistant, assistant supervisor and center supervisor who are permanent year round employees. The recreation center supervisor is responsible for overall camp operations, hiring and organizational requirements. The assistant supervisor acts as center supervisor when he or she is not present. The recreation center assistant (RCA) is the office manager and is in charge when the supervisor I or supervisor II are not present. Please feel free to contact the recreation supervisor or assistant supervisor if you have any questions or comments. We work together as a team to serve you and your child. Let us know, at any time, how we can help improve our services!

Recreation Camp Sites

Before & Afterschool Registration

Early Bird Registration

Early Bird registration is for city residents who have no outstanding payments at our centers and whose child is currently registered for the entire summer camp program. You may pre-register for Summer Camp 2008 program by making a $50 nonrefundable deposit per child. Deposits will be accepted beginning , July 1, through July 31, 2008.

Priority Summer Registration

Register Monday, April 7 through Friday, April 18, 2008
(St. Petersburg residents only!), at the center of your choice. This is a special registration for the full ten week Summer Playcamp Program for those children who have been registered in the Before/Afterschool Program since January 1, 2008.

Resident Summer Registration

Saturday, April 26, 2008, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., (St. Petersburg residents only) may register for the full ten week Summer Playcamp Program at the center of their choice with the exception of Shore Acres and Willis S. Johns, who will hold registration on Friday, April 25, starting at 7:00 a.m. until full.

Non-resident Summer Registration

Monday, April 28, 2008 is Priority Registration for non-residents who have been registered in the Before/Afterschool Program since January 1, 2008. Wednesday, April 30, 2008 is Non-resident Registration at the center of your choice. Parents must register for the full ten week Summer Playcamp Program and purchase a Non-resident card for $125 prorated or 60% of program fee per child.

Playcamp newsletters and flyers are distributed on a regular basis and include important information about upcoming field trips, events and general camp information for each site.