Manatee County announces plan for Summer Blast Camp. Others are open with restrictions

On Wednesday, nearly one week after Gov. Ron DeSantis gave youth activities the green light, Manatee County announced plans for its annual Summer Blast Camp.

Registration opened on Wednesday afternoon, with the main camp starting on June 1, and a handful of specialty camps starting on June 8. Summer Blast Camp will take place at G.T. Bray Park Recreation Center and the John. H. Marble Recreation Complex.

Registration is available at mymanatee.org/summercamps. More details can be found by visiting mymanatee.org/departments, navigating to the “Public Safety” tab, clicking on “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information” and then visiting “Reopening Manatee.”

“Our goal this summer is to offer a variety of summer camp activities that meet the needs of the community in a safe and fun environment,” Charlie Hunsicker, the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources director, said in a prepared statement.

“Our programs will look slightly different than previous years starting with limited weekly and program registrations, 10 or fewer group sizes, modified hours and increased hand washing and equipment sanitization.”

The Bradenton Herald recently contacted programs throughout the county and heard back from 10 camps. Two were canceled, two were undecided and six planned to open under new guidelines, which usually meant limited enrollment and social distancing.

The Manatee YMCA offers its own camps each year. Courtney Carroll, the communications director, confirmed that only one program would continue this summer.

YMCA’s Relief Care Camp is an all-day program that supports essential workers and their school-age children. The program offers sports, crafts and educational activities in Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton.

For more information, visit manateeymca.org/programs/relief-care-camp.

“As we prepare, we are securing supplies and implementing procedures that ensure your child’s continued safety as we abide by CDC guidelines and follow appropriate distancing measures,” the YMCA said on its website.

“Safety is our top priority, and we are committed to making our camps just as safe and fun.”

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature issued a press release on Tuesday, promising safety measures and, if need be, refunds for its summer program.

“We’re continuously monitoring updates related to COVID-19 and recommendations from local, state and federal health officials,” the release states.

“Should we need to cancel a Summer Science Camp session due to situations beyond our control, we will contact all registrants and either reschedule your camper for another week or issue a full refund.”

Aimed at students between second and fifth grade, the camp has several themed sessions between June and July, including “Camp CSI” and “Sharks!”

For more information, visit bishopscience.org/summer-science-camp.

This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 3:58 PM.