Summer Blast Camp

Summer Blast Camp

The Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department welcomes you and your children to another exciting summer camp at one of our two locations. This year's Summer Blast Camp is dedicated to keeping kids active and offering exciting opportunities to learn, experience, and create lifelong memories.  

Sprinkled throughout each week, we will offer activities that include sports, art, health and wellness, fun-filled field trips and so much more.

Our goal is to offer a variety of recreational summer camp opportunities that meet the needs of the community in a safe and fun environment. Register for only the weeks you need or pick and choose which weeks your child would like to attend.  This flexibility allows you to create the program that works best for you, your family, and your budget.

Note: The Registration fee does not guarantee your child’s space in our camp; a specific week or optional field trip.  Due to our camps popularity and to ensure your child’s enjoyment in camp this summer, weekly limits on registration will be set for each week and specialty camp. Space will only be held for the weeks you pay for.  

A variety of Specialty Camps are offered during the summer as well. 

Camp Registration begins April 1. Please see additional information below for specifics.  

To learn more information about our program, open a list of options below including Frequently Asked Questions.

Camp Sites & Registration

Two Camp Locations

  • West Location: 

G.T. Bray Recreation Center 
5502 33rd Avenue Drive West, Bradenton

  • East Location: TBD

Camp Dates

  • GT Bray Park: TBD
  • East Location:  TBD

   Camp Closed: Monday, May 29th &    Tuesday, July 4th

Camp Hours
  • Both Locations: Monday - Friday / 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Camp Fees

  • Registration Fee (includes t-shirt): $30
  • Weekly Fee : $135*

  *Week 1 = $108 (No Camp Monday, May 29th)
*Week 6 = $108 (No Camp Tuesday, July 4th)



Very Important: Registration is required for summer camp. Limited Supply of 2023 Summer Blast Camp Shirts. 

Included Trips & Optional Field Trips

List of (potential) Included Field Trip Destinations:
  • Water/Field Day @ GT Bray Park
  • Bowlero Bowling Lanes
  • Lakewood Ranch Cinema 
  • Astro Skate Center
  • And MORE

List of (potential) Optional Field Trip Destinations:
  • Adventure Island
  • Alligator Attraction
  • Busch Gardens
  • Celebration Station
  • Main Event - St. Pete
  • MOSI
  • Busch Gardens
  • Tropicana Field (Rays Game)
  • Urban Air
  • and MORE

All field trip dates and optional field trip fees have been listed in the parent packet, received at pre-registration. 

Junior Blast Camp (Ages 14 and up)

Older teens, do you enjoy working with younger children?  You can gain leadership skills and relevant job experience by signing up in our Junior Blast Camp program.  You will be placed in younger age groups where you will help organize and lead activities, swim (Dates, times,  and general information of the Summer Blast Camp apply.)

Note: Parents, please speak with your child prior to registration to confirm which role they are willing to fill; helper or camper. Those registered for the Junior Blast Camp must assist the counselors with the younger campers.  If your child is 14 years of age and prefers to be placed in a group with kids similar in age, please see our Summer Blast Camp information.

Fees

  • Registration Fee (includes t-shirt): $30
  • Weekly Fee : $65*

  *Week 1 = $52 (No Camp Monday, May 29th)
*Week 6 = $52 (No Camp Tuesday, July 4th)

Specialty Camps

Located throughout Manatee County's Parks and Preserves, these exceptional camps offer a variety of unique themed summer fun from fishing to archery, basketball to volleyball.

$30 Registration Fee is not required for Specialty Camps. 

Basketball Camp

When an hour-long practice just isn't enough, join us for Basketball Camp.  Throughout the week participants will work on improving their game; footwork, defense, v-cuts, rebounding, left hand and more.

 Location: TBD
Session 1: TBD
Session 2: TBD
Time: TBD
Fee:  TBD

Freshwater Fishing Fun Camp

Cast off on a fish-filled adventure and reel in some fun!  Campers will learn how to fish as they discover different types of tackle, learn about freshwater residents of Jiggs Landing, and end the week with an old fashioned fish fry.  All participants will receive a rod and reel and tackle box full of gear to take home and use after camp too!

Location: TBD
Session 1: TBD
Session 2: TBD
Time: TBD
Fee:  TBD

Paddleboard Camp

Adventure awaits at Robinson Preserve. Learn how to Stand-Up Paddleboard while exploring nature and gaining skills on the board. Water
safety, paddle technique, and balance will be taught in the calm smooth waters of the preserve. Learn about local wildlife with scavenger hunt games and build confidence by conquering paddle relay races. Each camper will be provided with a board and all accompanying equipment for a fun and active week outdoors. Beginners welcome, but all participants must be able to swim.

Location: TBD
Session 1: TBD
Session 2: TBD
Time: TBD
Fee:  TBD

Right on Target Archery Camp

Ready, aim, shoot! Spend a week learning all about archery while developing skills on the range! Whether your child is just learning to
hold a bow and aim, or they’re a more experienced archer, our camp will give everyone the opportunity to improve. Each day campers will enjoy a variety of archery themed activities, from skill drills to creating paintings using arrow-popped balloons. We will conclude the week with an archery tournament and traditional summer cookout. All equipment will be provided for use during the camp. Camp instructors are USA Archery Association Instructors.

Location: TBD
Session 1: TBD
Session 2: TBD
Time: TBD
Fee:  TBD

Sun and Fun Saltwater Fishing Camp

Grab your rods and get ready to catch a big one!  Spend the summer exploring Emerson Point and learning how to fish.  From tackle to take limits, campers will be taught everything they need to know in order to fish in Manatee County's beautiful saltwater Bays and Gulfs.  The week will end in a fabulously fun fish fry!  Equipment for use in the camp will be provided and all participants will receive a rod, reel and tackle to keep after the camp.

Location: TBD
Session 1: TBD
Session 2: TBD
Time: TBD
Fee:  TBD

AQUATIC ADVENTURE CAMP

Dive into a wet and wild summer exploration! Join us for a fun and fantastic aquatic adventure camp at Robinson Preserve. We will spend most of the time on or in the water, learning about Florida's aquatic habitats and the creatures that live there. Explore the waterways of Robinson Preserve, wading, kayaking, and snorkeling throughout the week. All campers must known how to swim and be prepared to go in the water each day of camp.

Location: TBD
Session 1: TBD
Session 2: TBD
Time: TBD
Fee:  TBD

Additional Information / Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I Register?

The initial registration paperwork must be done in person at the G.T. Bray Recreation Center or. Once registration paperwork is completed, you may register your campers for specific weeks and field trips in-person or online. Registration opens April 1 at the G.T. Bray Recreation Center for both sites. 

"East County" In-Person Registration:

  • Location: TBD
  • Dates: TBD
  • Times: TBD 
  • Payment: Check Only
    • $30 pre-registration Fee, per camper, due at registration. All other fees can be paid online one pre-registration has been processed.
What are the Registration Deadlines?

Those registering for weekly Day Camps need to register by 6:00 p.m. on the prior Friday (if space is available) to avoid a $20 late fee.  Camp space is limited and not guaranteed.  If registering for our Specialty Camps, registration is to be submitted and paid one week prior to the first day of that camp.  Special Note: Specialty Camps are in high demand and tend to fill up each week.  Registering early is encouraged.

Are there any Limits? 

Yes, space is limited for all camps.  These limits include minimal numbers needed to host the camp.  To ensure your child’s space in any of our camp programs, please register early as we do expect to fill up. 

Can I reserve a spot in the Summer Camp? 

The $30 Registration Fee does not reserve your child’s spot in any of our camps.  In order to guarantee your child’s spot, you must register and pay for that week or weeks in advance.  Please note space is limited and camp sessions will fill up.  Once each week is full, staff will not be able to approve additional campers due to programming space and camper to counselor ratios.

Can I get a Refund? 

All refund requests require a written recommendation from a doctor indicating that the participant should withdraw from an activity or program to be entitled to a full or prorated refund, no administrative fee will be assessed.  In the event that an activity or program is cancelled by Parks & Natural Resources Department, the individual or group would be entitled to a full or prorated refund or credit.  No administrative fee will be assessed.  All refund requests must be accompanied by an original receipt or a copy of the cancelled check.  Registration fees are non-refundable.  Refund requests will not be addressed until the last week of camp is complete.

Can I Transfer weeks or receive a Credit? 

Transfers or credits may be requested, however may not be guaranteed and cannot be completed during the requested week or after.  If the week your child is registered in or the week being requested is full, transfer nor credits will be approved. 

What are the Counselor to Camper Ratios? 

We are focused on maintaining ratios of 1:15, therefore affecting the number of campers permitted each week.  We understand this will limit the number of participants permitted into our program, however we believe the experience benefits greatly from quality of service being provided.

Cancellations? 

Camps may be cancelled due to lack of enrollment.  Please make every effort to register weeks in advance so a camp will not be cancelled unnecessarily.

What is your Photo Policy? 

We’ll be taking photos on many occasions during each camp session and posting on our website, social media and other camp related material.  We will always take photos in an obvious and respectful manner.  If you don’t wish to be included, please inform the photographer.

Lunch? 

We plan to again offer FREE lunches, weeks 1-8, courtesy of the Manatee County School Boards free lunch program.  Campers will be required to bring lunch weeks 9 and 10.  Menus will not be available this year. For more information visit www.SummerBreakSpot.org. (*Subject to change)

Swim Lessons at G.T. Bray

For information on Swim Lessons, visit our Swim Lessons page or contact one of our Aquatics Staff Members.