If you are looking for a great and affordable summer camp experience, Alachua County’s Cuscowilla (formerly Camp McConnell, 210 S.E. 134th Avenue, Micanopy) is registering children from kindergarten to twelfth grade for overnight and day camps. At Cuscowilla Summer Camp, campers get back to nature, develop a sense of community, and learn leadership skills in a safe atmosphere at this 210-acre camp with a lake and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Activities for campers include swimming, archery, canoeing, a climbing tower, arts and crafts, and recreational games.
“Summer Camp is a great way to continue to engage youth during out-of-school time,” says Camp Manager Lexi Green. “At Cuscowilla, we strive to engage youth in hands-on activities throughout their time with us as well as create a space where youth feel free to be themselves, build community, and develop skills like problem-solving and communication with their peers.”
Cuscowilla is offering scholarships and financial aid opportunities for camp programs this year. Scholarships are need-based and include both full and partial payment for families that qualify. Children from families at or below 200% of the 2021 federal poverty threshold, children with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan, children from families receiving SNAP benefits, children in foster care, children in voluntary and formal kinship care, and children under in-home case management supervision all qualify for full scholarship while additional partial scholarships may be offered on a sliding scale based on income.
To apply for scholarships and financial aid, families need only check “yes” to receiving financial aid during the online registration process. County staff will then be in touch shortly to assist with the best options available to the family’s specific needs.
The fees for day camps are $100/week, one-week overnight camps are $400/week, and two-week overnight camps are $800/2 weeks. Financial aid and scholarships are available through the online registration process.
The town of Micanopy holds a long Native American history. While the Indian trading post and white settlement were named Tuscawilla, Cuscowilla was the name given to the Capital Village of the local Seminole people. Cuscowilla was the dwelling of Chief Micanopy and what was left of the Seminole tribe before being captured, thereby ending the Second Seminole War.
For questions or assistance in the registration process, contact Cuscowilla Manager Lexi Green at 352-574-2372 or
lgreen@alachuacounty.us.