Registration for the County's popular Summer Blast Camp opened today at 5 p.m. and curbside library materials will be available on Monday as part of Manatee County's safe, phased reopening to the public.

Summer Blast Camp will be held at the G.T. Bray Park Recreation Center and the John H. Marble Recreation Center starting Monday, June 1. Parks and Natural Resources' popular outdoor specialty camps will be offered at some County preserves starting June 8. Registration is expected to fill quickly once online registration begins today at 5 p.m. Parents may register children for summer camps at www.mymanatee.org/summercamps

"Our goal this summer is to offer a variety of summer camp activities that meet the needs of the community in a safe and fun environment," said Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker. "Our programs will look slightly different than previous years starting with limited weekly and program registrations, 10 or fewer group sizes, modified hours and increased hand washing and equipment sanitization."

Tennis and pickleball are now open at Manatee County Parks. (Reservations are required at G.T. Bray by calling (941) 742-5923). Bray will also open to lap swimming appointments on June 1 by calling (941) 720-1775. Other parks-related openings are being rolled out online.

Curbside Library Pickup Service begins Monday

Manatee County Libraries lovers, who have checked out thousands of digital resources over the past three months, will have another option to access library materials next week. On Monday, Manatee Libraries will begin offering curbside materials pickup as the public library system begins a phased reopening plan.

This pickup service will be available by appointment at all six library branches during regular location hours. Each library branch will remain closed for now but the County plans to reopen Manatee Libraries to the public with limited hours and reduced occupancy later in June. Manatee Libraries' LITle Discovery Center will remain closed for now.

Library team members have begun making appointments for material holds that were made in during the public closure. (Patrons can hold materials online or via phone). Once the materials have pulled and patrons have received notification via email, text or phone, pickup appointments can be made.

Patrons can place items on hold for the library location where they'd like to pick them up. You'll then receive a notification when your items are ready for pickup. After that, the patron may call his/her library branch to schedule a pickup appointment. Head to the branch at the appointment time and follow the directions on posted signs. Staff will check out the library materials and place them outside on a table for "grab and go."

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