County to Offer Fishing Camp for Kids

E.G. Simmons Park’s Fishing Camp will give your children the knowledge, skills and practice they need to reel in any fish and enjoy a rewarding lifelong pursuit.

This camp is designed for children ages 8-15 with little or no fishing experience. The only requirement is an interest in fishing and love of outdoor experiences.

Online registration is now open, and cost is only $120 per two-week session. E.G. Simmons Park is located at 2401 19th Ave. NW in Ruskin.

Hillsborough County Parks Summer Camps will be held June 17 – Aug. 9 on Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. –5 p.m.

At E.G. Simmons Park, campers will put their skills to work through daily practice, competition and fishing. Hands-on activities include casting, filleting fish, fly fishing (casting, tying a fly and fishing), how to take care of fishing-tackle and gear, knot tying, making monofilament recycling containers and throwing a cast net.

Fishing discussions will include angling ethics, conservation, fishing reports, handling a fish properly and dehooking, limits and seasons, local species, rules and guidelines and use of circle hooks.

Additional camp activities include canoeing and kayaking, camping skills, hiking and swimming. All sessions will include field trips and, for an additional fee of $25, campers can participate in a five-hour deep sea fishing trip with Hubbard's Marina. Fishing stats will be kept, and awards and prizes will be given out at the end-of-camp party and fish fry.

Camp sessions will be taught by local professional fishing captains and organizations including Coastal Conservation Association, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and the Suncoast Fly Fishing Club. Camp partners include the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Fish Florida and the Guy Harvey Foundation.

View photos of last year’s E.G. Simmons Park Fishing Camp

The E.G. Simmons Fishing Camp is one of many camps offered through the county’s Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. Other summer camps include:

Traditional Summer Camps (Ages 5-12)

• Brandon, 502 E. Sadie St. in Brandon, 813-635-8179
• Gardenville, 6219 Symmes Rd. in Gibsonton, 813-672-1120
• Keystone, 17928 Gunn Highway in Odessa, 813-264-3819
• Northdale, 15550 Spring Pine Dr. in Tampa, 813-264-8956
• Roy Haynes, 1902 S. Village Ave. in Tampa, 813-903-3480
• Ruskin, 901 6th St. SE in Ruskin, 813-672-7881
• Thonotosassa, 10132 Skewlee Rd. in Thonotosassa, 813-987-6206
• Westchase, 9791 Westchase Dr. in Tampa, 813-964-2948
• Winston, 7605 Destin Dr. in Tampa, 813-744-5539

Fine Arts Camp (Ages 7-12)

• Roy Haynes, 1902 S. Village Ave. in Tampa, 813-903-3480

Teen Camps (Ages 12 – 17)

• Apollo Beach, 664 Golf and Sea Blvd. in Apollo Beach, 813-671-7635
• Jackson Springs, 8620 Jackson Springs Rd. in Tampa, 813-554-5004
• Mango, 11717 Clay Pit Rd. in Seffner, 813-635-7489
• North Lakes, 2640 N. Lakeview Dr. in Tampa, 813-264-3824
• Providence West, 5417 Providence Rd. in Riverview, 813-672-1120

Nature Camps (Ages 8-15)

• E.G. Simmons Fishing Camp, 2401 19th Ave. NW in Ruskin, 813-635-3500
• Lettuce Lake Canoe Camp, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave. in Tampa, 813-635-3500
• Upper Tampa Bay Fun With Nature, 8001 Double Branch Rd. in Tampa, 813-635-3500

Therapeutic/Special Needs Camps ( Bakas Ages 5-17; Camp Sparks ages 5-22)

• Camp Sparks at All People’s Life Center, 6105 E. Sligh Ave. in Tampa, 813-744-5978.
• Bakas Equestrian Center, 11510 Whisper Lake Trail in Tampa, 813-264-3890.

The cost of the parks summer camps are:

• $76 Traditional day camps and Camp Sparks, per two-week session
• $120 Specialty Nature camps, per two-week session
• $50 Bakas Equestrian therapeutic camp, per day

Income-based discounts are available.

For additional information on these summer camps, visit us online at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/summercamps, or contact the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department at 813-635-3500.