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St. Petersburg Launches Summer Programs for Kids

Children enjoying diverse summer activities offered in St. Petersburg.

News Summary

St. Petersburg is introducing a range of summer programs aimed at keeping children safe, active, and engaged. Initiatives include free meals, swimming lessons, and library activities for kids aged 18 and under. The summer meal program operates at 17 locations, offering nutritious meals without registration. Swimming lessons are available for children six months and older, with registration now open. Additionally, local libraries are hosting free programs until early August. The city’s efforts reflect a commitment to provide enriching experiences for youth during the summer break.

St. Petersburg is rolling out an exciting array of summer programs designed for children this season, aimed at keeping them safe, active, and engaged. These initiatives include free meals, swimming lessons, and activities at local libraries, all accessible to kids aged 18 and under, regardless of residency in the city.

The city is launching a free summer meal program across 17 different locations, providing breakfast and lunch with no registration required. This initiative is focused on ensuring that children have access to nutritious meals during the break from school. Popular meal sites include parks, libraries, and recreation centers, with the program running from June 2 through August 8, although there will be specific closures on certain dates.

St. Petersburg’s Parks and Recreation Manager for Aquatics and Athletics highlighted the various activities available for children during these summer months. Among these activities is St. Pete’s Learn to Swim program, which has returned to city pools. Targeted for children aged six months and older, the program emphasizes water safety skills, which is vital given Florida’s alarming drowning rates. Registration for swim lessons started this week, with each session comprising eight classes lasting between 30 to 45 minutes. While the typical cost for swim lessons is $39, scholarships and payment assistance are available to qualifying families, thus potentially making the lessons free.

In addition to swimming programs, the St. Petersburg Library System will host free summer programs for readers of all ages until August 2. Families are encouraged to visit the library, where they can pick up a Summer Programming Guide and obtain take-home activities designed to promote reading and engagement. The Parks and Recreation Department is also encouraging families to explore the various activities available at rec centers, parks, trails, and pools throughout the city.

The city’s sustainability efforts extend to the Safe Summer Fridays program, which is returning this year. This program provides recreational activities to youth aged 12 to 16, with a strong emphasis on promoting community safety and violence prevention.

City pools commenced their summer season with seasonal hours beginning May 24-26, transitioning to regular hours starting May 31. Admission prices for the pools are set at $1 for children aged 3-12 and $2 for those aged 13 and older, with additional fees applicable for the North Shore Aquatic Complex. Facilities at these pools include wading pools, water slides, and splash pads, alongside hosting events such as a popular “Flick & Splash” movie series designed for family-friendly entertainment.

For families wishing to participate in the various offerings, online registration for programs is available through the St. Pete Parks and Recreation website. With these diverse programs tailored for youth, St. Petersburg aims to cultivate safe spaces for children to connect, play, and learn over the summer break.

This season’s programs reflect a concerted effort by city officials to ensure that kids remain active and engaged during the summer while also providing avenues for nutritious meals and rich learning experiences.