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Grant Provides Opportunity For Kids

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2008

RIVERVIEW - Camp Cristina, a 55-acre outdoor YMCA day camp, has received a grant that will enable limited-income families to get a break on tuition for its after-school program.

The YMCA received the grant through the Community Development Block Grant for Palm River Youth Development.
Families with incomes below $57,400 may be eligible for reduced tuition, based on income and family size.

"We've got about 50 kids right now, and we can take as many as 70," program director Bryan Beckham said. Full tuition is $70 per week.

Because Camp Cristina has so much open space, youngsters attending the after-school program get a lot more than homework time. There are clubs children can join for activities several days each week, Beckham said.

"We've got archery, swimming, journalism, high ropes," Beckham said. "We also have homework time every day."

The Tampa Metro YMCA operates 39 child care facilities throughout the Hillsborough County area, with most headquartered at public schools, said Dexter Johnson, district executive over child care for the YMCA.

Camp Cristina is one of five programs run at a YMCA facility. The program runs from school dismissal time through 6 p.m. five days per week.

"This week, we're really working on education enhancement," Johnson said. "In addition to snack, homework and reading time, there is a segment on developing character in youth," which is an important part of the YMCA philosophy, he said.

"This year, we'll also have teachers providing further educational assistance for things like improving FCAT scores."

For information on any of the YMCA's after-school programs, contact Johnson at (813) 223-2895 or stop by a program at any of the schools where the YMCA is operating.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or

yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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