TAMPA, Fla. – Fresh off managing 2,000 children in its summer camps, the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department is transitioning its facilities to host more than 1,500 students for the upcoming school year’s After-School Program.
The initiative spans 24 recreation centers across Tampa, serving families from areas near MacDill Air Force Base in the south up to the Pasco County line in the north.
To participate, students only need an annual Rec Card, which costs $15 for children and is free for teenagers. Beyond daily after-school hours, the centers also extend coverage to cover Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring breaks.
During extended emergency school closures caused by hurricanes in 2024, the department similarly opened its facilities to provide child supervision.
“Tampa’s kids have a very affordable and fantastic place to go for after-school care, thanks to Parks & Recreation,” Mayor Jane Castor said. “For decades, we have provided a safe and supervised space, helped with homework, and kept kids entertained while their parents finished workdays.”
During the 2025–2026 school year, 1,561 children from 987 households enrolled in the program. While some vacancies remain available for the 2026–2027 school year, officials expect the remaining slots to fill up this week. Parents looking to register can visit tampa.gov/after-school or call (813) 274-5132.
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