Boys & Girls Clubs serve hundreds at hurricane relief camps

In the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes hitting the Tampa Bay area, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast and Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay have stepped up to support the community by offering free "Bounce Back Camps" for children across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

The nonprofit organizations have opened their doors to all youth, not just Boys & Girls Clubs registered members, providing a safe and nurturing environment while schools remain closed. These camps have already welcomed over 700 children, offering a sense of normalcy and resilience during a challenging time.

"Since the [Covid] pandemic, we've realized that we've really developed an operating muscle for disaster relief and looking beyond just our traditional ways of serving kids," said Freddy Williams, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast. "Because many schools need to turn over from being shelters, we opened up our clubs for kids just to be kids. We also found that whenever there was an imminent storm, even offering a half day when it's still safe for kids to be here allowed families to make arrangements so they can better prepare for the storm."

Williams emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for kids during stressful times, noting that removing them from the sometimes chaotic environment of storm preparations and recovery.

"It's critically important, when you look at child brain science, that these are events they'll never forget. It's very important as adults that we hold onto our words and our actions, because children pick up on the various emotions that we portray," Williams explained. "As adults and parents, it's a stressful time, so if we can remove kids from the inherent stress and get them to a safe place, a known brand in the community where parents feel comfortable having kids, it truly creates a win-win situation."

Williams also noted that as kids transition back into school, they have a greater ability to adjust back to daily life and education. The Bounce Back Camps not only focus on providing fun but also incorporate subtle educational elements. With about 20 teachers integrated into the programs, children participate in activities that promote teamwork and social skills without feeling like they are in a classroom setting. Williams highlighted that while kids play games like pool, they are also engaging in counting and geometry, fostering higher-order thinking skills in an enjoyable way.

"It's also critically important as we look to mobilize and start a recovery effort, for employees who are going back to work to have a place for their kids to be all day," Williams added. "Our first responders and hospital employees, and even linemen that we work with, now have a safe place for kids to be able to attend."

The Boys & Girls Clubs' Bounce Back Camps are open as long as school is out. Pinellas and Pasco County schools Wednesday, but Hillsborough County Schools still don't have a projected restart date.

Hillsborough Bounce Back Camps run from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. daily at the following locations:

While some of the Boys & Girls Clubs' buildings were damaged in the recent storms, the majority are still operational or were able to be quickly repaired so they could reopen.

In addition to providing a safe haven for kids, the Boys & Girls Clubs have partnered with organizations like World Central Kitchen and Feeding Tampa Bay to offer hot meals to children and their families, ensuring access nutritious food during a time when many are struggling to meet basic needs. The clubs also provide grab-and-go meals available from noon to 5 p.m. daily for anyone in the community, "no questions asked," according to Williams.

In addition to being there for young people who need support during trying times, Williams acknowledge the emotional toll on staff members, many of whom have faced personal losses due to the storm. To address this, the clubs have implemented trauma-informed practices and partnered with the National Center for Performance Health to provide "emotional vaccines," which focus on self-care and emotional intelligence for staff.

As schools begin to reopen, the Boys & Girls Clubs will transition back into their traditional after-school programs while continuing full-day camps where needed.

When asked about the duality of taking care of kids while trying to recover themselves, Williams said a deeply-held passion for their mission compels them to keep going: "If Boys & Girls Clubs don't do this, who else will?"