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Apollo Beach Woman's Club helps summer campers

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By LOIS KINDLE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 3, 2009

APOLLO BEACH - Thanks to the Apollo Beach Woman's Club, seven area children will go to camp this summer. The club donated $1,200 in stipends to the Apollo Beach Park and Recreation Center to assist families who could not afford the $300 summer camp fee.

In previous years, the fee was $50, but this year the county was forced to raise it because of budget cuts in services as the county responded to the slowed economy.

"The reason for the increase was because of the rollbacks and Amendment I, where taxpayers voted to reduce their taxes," said John Brill, spokesman for Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. "We also offer a sliding scale for those who can't afford the fee, if they produce their 1040s.

"At $50, the county was subsidizing most of the cost of summer camp, but we can no longer afford to do that. We realize it was a big jump, but now the fee is more in line with other summer programs. We had to change the way we do business."

Phyllis Elsberry, the club's community service chairwoman, learned about the families in need from Jack Reeder, senior recreation specialist at the park. When she brought the matter to the attention of the Woman's Club in May, the board voted to donate $900 — half of the camp fee for six children. A club member whose children had enjoyed summer programs at the park while they were growing up added an additional $300, which enabled a seventh child to participate.

"We felt the fee had become unaffordable for some parents," Elsberry said. "We just wanted to help."
"Some of the funds paid for [entire] camp fees and some were used to pay a portion of [others]," Reeder said. "I got chills when one father, whose two daughters are attending summer camp, told me how thankful he was for the donation. He is in need of a liver transplant, and his daughters, who are 8 and 9, wouldn't have been able to come without it."

Operated by the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation, the all-day camp began Monday and ends Aug. 14. The kids receive lunch and snacks.

Activities include athletics, drama, music and arts and crafts. Additionally, seven field trips — included in the $300 camp fee for the first time this year — are scheduled to places like Adventure Island.
There are still spots available in this year's camp. For information, call (813) 671-7635.

Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 627-4760.

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