What ages does R.E.C. Camp accept?

R.E.C. Camp is open to children ages 5–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

How much does R.E.C. Camp cost?

R.E.C. Camp publishes $8/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

Who runs R.E.C. Camp?

R.E.C. Camp is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does R.E.C. Camp provide lunch?

R.E.C. Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.

How does R.E.C. Camp compare to other traditional day camp camps in Tampa?

R.E.C. Camp is one of 21 traditional day camp camps in Tampa that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

▌ Traditional Day Camp · Ages 5–17

R.E.C. Camp

Tampa · $8/week

R.E.C. Camp, offered by the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation, provides a traditional day camp experience for children aged 5-14 with a focus on recreation ...

▌ Editor's read The City of Tampa Parks and Recreation offers R.E.C. Camp, a traditional day camp for children aged 5-14, with activities including sports, games, arts and crafts, and field trips. The camp operates at various community centers across Tampa, with specific dates and locations detailed on the website. The program is clearly a day camp, running from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The website states that all staff undergo background checks, ensuring a level of safety for participants. As a municipal program, it is owned and operated by the City of Tampa. While specific Google reviews for 'R.E.C. Camp' are not readily available, the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation generally has a positive reputation. The camp is not ACA accredited, which is common for municipal programs. Social media handles for the department are @cityoftampaparks on Instagram and TampaParksandRec on Facebook.

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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–17

R.E.C. Camp sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right traditional day camp fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Day camp
ACA accredited: Not verified
Established: Not listed
Operator: Municipal parks department
Staff-to-camper ratio: Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Traditional Day Camp
Ages: 5–17
Address: 1420 N. Tampa Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 274-8615
Cost notes: $80 for the entire 10-week summer program

Logistics

Lunch provided: No
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about R.E.C. Camp

What ages does R.E.C. Camp accept?: R.E.C. Camp is open to children ages 5–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does R.E.C. Camp cost?: R.E.C. Camp publishes $8/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
Who runs R.E.C. Camp?: R.E.C. Camp is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does R.E.C. Camp provide lunch?: R.E.C. Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does R.E.C. Camp compare to other traditional day camp camps in Tampa?: R.E.C. Camp is one of 21 traditional day camp camps in Tampa that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare R.E.C. Camp with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.

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Bright Horizons at Tampa · Ages 3–5
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