Mainstreet Daily News
The Children’s Trust of Alachua County board has approved $1.1 million in funding for more than 2,000 additional free or reduced-price seats for Alachua County young people to participate in summer camps.
Examples of what local summer camps will offer include tennis instruction at Aces in Motion, academic learning from certified teachers at the Boys & Girls Club, six weeks of exploring science and technology at the Cade Museum, archery lessons at the Easton Newberry Sports Complex and a five-week program that teaches high school students job skills and climate awareness at the Cultural Arts Coalition.
“This summer program is a dramatic increase of opportunities for kids to move from the virtual Zoom environment to the real world where they can learn and play with other kids,” said Colin Murphy, executive director of the Children’s Trust of Alachua County.
The trust provides children’s services year-round throughout Alachua County—aimed at making children “healthy, educated, supported and safe.”
Funding is directed to a variety of organizations and regions. In addition to Gainesville, smaller communities such as Waldo, High Springs, Alachua and Newberry are included. Providers include nonprofits, religious, educational, sports, arts and cultural organizations, offering Alachua County kids a variety of activities.
Participating programs are:
Aces in Motion 352-514-9975
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida 352-377-8003 & 352-373-6639
Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention 352-371-8001 X1110
City of Alachua 386-462-1610
City of Newberry 352-472-5663 X149
City of Waldo 352-258-6921
Cultural Arts Coalition 352-219-5793
Cuscowilla-Alachua County Board of County Commissioners 352-213-4796
DaySprings Missionary Baptist Church of Gainesville, FL Inc. 352-380-0075
Deeper Purpose Community Church, Inc. 352-474-9040
Gainesville Circus Center 352-214-2017
Gainesville Sports Camp 352-275-2698
Girls Place 352-373-4475
Good News Arts 706-254-6750 & 352-359-6032
Greater Bethel AME Church 352-222-3554
Greater Duval Neighborhood Association 352-519-2743
I Am Stem 352-372-1004
Just for Us Education 352-448-6087
Kids Count 352-244-9723
The North Central Florida YMCA K-8 352-374-9622
Santa Fe College 352-430-8292
Star Center Children’s Theatre 352-378-3311
Traveling Art Camp for Kids 858-692-7303
The details of what each organization’s summer camp program involves and contact info can be found on the Children’s Trust website.