Monroe County Offers Two Day Winter Break Camp for Children

Monroe County Parks and Beaches announced a two day Winter Break Camp to serve families on Big Pine Key during the school holiday. The camp will take place at Big Pine Key Community Park at 31009 Atlantis Drive on Monday December 22 and Tuesday December 23 2025, running each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The program is open to children ages six to twelve and the daily rate is thirty dollars per child. Registration is required by December 10.

Organizers described a schedule of arts and crafts, sports and seasonal projects designed to keep children active and engaged during the break. The program aims to provide supervised daytime options for parents and guardians who work or who need support with childcare during the holiday window. Families can register or ask questions by contacting Mike Piekenbrock at (305) 394 1173. More information about Parks and Beaches programs is available at ParksAndBeaches.fun.

Local significance is immediate for working families and caregivers across Monroe County. Short term school closures and holiday schedules often create a gap in daily supervision that can force parents to reduce work hours or pay for costly private care. A municipally run option that operates full days on two consecutive school vacation dates can help stabilize schedules for shift workers, single parents and small business providers reliant on staff availability.

From a public health perspective, structured daytime programming offers benefits beyond convenience. Supervised activities promote physical activity and social interaction for children during a time when passive screen use can increase. Providing a safe, organized setting for recreation helps reduce risk of accidental injury from unsupervised play and can support mental wellbeing by maintaining routine and peer connection. Accessibility and affordability remain central to whether those benefits reach the households most in need.

Policy questions remain for county leaders and community advocates about expanding similar offerings in future school breaks, funding support for families with limited income and outreach to residents who may not see municipal programming as affordable. At thirty dollars per child per day this camp is less expensive than many private childcare options, yet families on the margins may still face barriers. Planners and policymakers will need to consider compliance with licensing, staffing and transportation needs if demand grows.

For families interested in registering, the deadline is December 10 and spaces may be limited. Contact Mike Piekenbrock at (305) 394 1173 or visit ParksAndBeaches.fun for details and to confirm availability.