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Tampa's Summer Camps Worth The Wait, Parents Say

News Channel 8 photo by PETER MASA

Clayton Frank was first in line to save a spot for his sister's family as dozens of people braved the rain at Kate Jackson Park to sign their kids up for limited summer camp slots.

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By JOSH THOMAS

News Channel 8

Published: March 23, 2009

Updated: 03/23/2009 08:04 pm

TAMPA - The first light of dawn had yet to touch the treetops, but parents already were lining up at Kate Jackson Park in South Tampa to enroll their children in the city's summer camps.

The camps, which cost $70 for a nine-week session, are so popular that parents and relatives were willing to sit in the rain to make sure their children made the list.

"It's definitely worth the wait," said Clayton Smith, who got in line at 5 a.m. today. "It's a lot cheaper than daily or weekly charges."

JoJo Ruby-White said the camps are good value, especially during tough economic times.

"I was just laid off from my job at the bank last week," she said. "Keeping your kids in a program that is really affordable is really important. It's safe and they look forward to it too."

Although the lines started forming before daybreak, the city's parks department did not begin accepting applications until 6 p.m. Officials had hoped moving the registration time to later in the day would eliminate long lines.

"Kate Jackson and Forest Hills parks traditionally fill up on the first day of registration," department spokeswoman Linda Carlo said.

Parents were willing to endure the wait.

"I am not really happy about it, but it is what it is," said Will Keeler, who got in line at Forest Hills Park about 5 a.m. "And the way our economy is, we have to do more and more each day to get what we want."

The city runs 31 summer camps. When all the slots are filled, city officials will encourage parents to enroll their children in camps run by the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Tribune reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report. News Channel 8 reporter Josh Thomas can be reached at (813) 221-5737.

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