Tampa's Parks & Recreation Department Celebrates Success of Teen Summer Programs
The City of Tampa’s Parks & Recreation Department is celebrating the end of session for their Teen Programs with an End of Summer Bash this evening. The city is proud to offer a variety of teen programs that offer safe, affordable and convenient opportunities for our city’s teens.
Teen Stay & Play Stats:
- 5,245 Daily Visits
- 484 enrolled participants (*enrollment not required)
R.E.C. Summer Camp Stats:
- 2,325 Daily Visits
- 189 enrolled teen participants
Teen Program Summer Highlights:
- Cooking classes with the Culinary Division
- Visits with the Tampa Police Department
- Sustainability workshops with the City of Tampa Green Team
- Financial Fitness Class with Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union
- Art Classes with the Visual Arts Program
- Competitive Basketball & Kickball leagues with the Athletics Division
- Themed Pool Parties with the Aquatics Division
More about the Stay & Play program:
Select Tampa Parks & Recreation centers invited all teens ages 13-19 to Stay & Play over the summer, where they could safely socialize, workout and game together.
Cyrus Greene Center, Grant Park, Copeland Center, DR. MLK Center, Springhill Center, Jackson Heights, Williams Park, Desoto Center and Gwendolyn Miller Center have remained open all summer long from 6:30 - 11 p.m., seven nights a week to provide a safe place for our teens to meet.
Hot meals are provided for each participant every day. Some of the additional activities and social events that are enjoyed by teen members of the community are field trips to local attractions, including Busch Gardens, Adventure Islands, and many visits to area parks for offsite picnics and fun.
The F. E. Lykes Foundation has been a key supporter of Tampa Parks & Recreation over the years and have wholeheartedly embraced the Stay and Play program. They have been instrumental in funding many of the exciting activities and events that teens have been able to participate in at Stay and Play sites and local pools.
While this week wraps up the summer session, the Stay & Play Program will return around the holidays to help fill the gap during Out of School Days.
Upcoming Fall Teen Programs:
The Teens Leading Change Program (ages 13-17) features group discussions, arts and recreational activities, educational endeavors and special projects. This fosters meaningful opportunities for growth in time management, team building, self-worth, finances and communication.
The TLC Performing Arts in Motion Program has a mission to bring arts experiences to our TLC participants at no charge at select recreation centers. Teens visit the Straz Center throughout the year to experience professionally produced theatre, dance, and music performances.
A current Rec Card is required for TLC participation. For more information and to find a site near you, visit the Teens Leading Change page, or email TeensLeadingChange@TampaGov.net.