CLEWISTON – At their March 11 meeting, Hendry County Commissioners approved an agreement with YMCA for the 2025 Summer Camp.

Hendry County partnered with YMCA of Southwest Florida, Inc. (YMCA) in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 to provide a summer camp to the children of eastern Hendry County in the Harlem Community. A summer camp was not held in 2020.

County staff contacted the YMCA regarding a new agreement to provide summer camp programs to Hendry County residents. Both parties agreed to enter into an agreement where the county would pay the YMCA $65.10 per child per week subject to a cap of $32,550, which is the same as last year.  

The YMCA is entitled to an additional $40 per week per child per the agreement. The YMCA will charge parents/guardians of children a participation fee not to exceed $35 per week per child. Families with more than one child shall be charged $25 for the second child, $20 for the third child, and $15 each for the fourth or greater child, with the deficit between $40 and the above amounts per child being paid by the county out of the United States Sugar Corporation Restricted Gift Agreement.

The YMCA plans to operate programs in the Harlem Community by utilizing the facilities of Rev. James E. Hart Gym, the James Mason Pool, and the Florida Thomas Harlem Library. The camp will last 10 weeks.