Y.C.A.M.P. Makes Its First Public Appearance at St. Pete's End of Summer Bash

On Friday, August 7th, 2026, the Youth Community Alliance & Mentorship Pipeline — Y.C.A.M.P. Inc. — made its very first public appearance, and what a debut it was.

Y.C.A.M.P. joined the City of St. Petersburg's End of Summer Bash at Campbell Park Recreation Center, stepping onto the community stage for the first time alongside music, food, face painting, and one very important mission: getting backpacks into the hands of students before the first bell rings.

And let's just say — everyone was intrigued.

A First Appearance Worth Remembering

The End of Summer Bash brought the St. Pete community together for an evening of celebration, and Y.C.A.M.P. was right in the middle of it. Families stopped by the Y.C.A.M.P. table to pick up backpacks, learn about the organization's free year-round programs, and connect with the team behind the mission.

A special thank you goes to Ms. Lisa of the City of St. Petersburg for welcoming Y.C.A.M.P. with open arms and making the organization feel right at home at its very first community event.

Mayor Ken Welch Joins the Pipeline

The evening got even more special when St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch was in attendance — and helped hand out backpacks alongside the Y.C.A.M.P. team. The Mayor later shared the moment on social media, writing:

"And that's a wrap on another great summer in St. Pete! I enjoyed seeing St. Pete families come together for an evening of fun as we get ready to go back to school... Thanks to our City team and community who all helped make this celebration so special! #WeAreStPete"

— Mayor Ken Welch, City of St. Petersburg

The Crowd Showed Up

The energy inside Campbell Park was electric. Families packed the gym, students picked out their backpacks, and the Y.C.A.M.P. team was there every step of the way — answering questions, sharing the vision, and planting seeds for what's to come.

Thank You to Everyone Who Made It Possible

None of this happens without people who believe in the mission. Y.C.A.M.P. extends a heartfelt thank you to:

• Ms. Lisa and the City of St. Petersburg — for the warm welcome and the platform
• Mayor Ken Welch — for showing up and helping hand out backpacks
• Our sponsors — for making the giveaway possible
• Our immediate supporters — for believing in Y.C.A.M.P. from day one
• Every family who came out — you are exactly who we built this for

This Is Just the Beginning

Y.C.A.M.P. Inc. is a free, year-round program for students in grades 6–12 across Pinellas County. The pipeline includes:

• Athletics — 13 sports including basketball, football, track, and more
• STEM Education — coding, robotics, engineering, and science tracks
• Entrepreneurship Pathways — skilled trades and creative business development

If you have questions about Y.C.A.M.P. Inc., reach out at admin@youthcamppipeline.com.

And if you have a student in grades 6–12 who is ready to join the pipeline — enroll today. The first appearance was just a preview of what's coming.