No more lessons, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks. School is still in session, but Centretown summer camps are getting ready to go.
Youth can pick from a variety of programs and locations, including several sites with the YMCA.
The Metro YMCA offers programs ranging from Girlz Unplugged, a two week “celebration of girlhood” to a new sports performance camp. In its first year, youth ages 10 to 12 years old will work through swimming lessons and athletic goals.
Camp Davern, YMCA’s all girls’ overnight camp, is attracting campers at a record rate this year. Cheryl Mason of the YMCA credits it to the camp’s director, Kim Brooks, who has made overall changes in quality and values to the camp. Brooks started her position in January 2008, and the Y has already noticed changes.
“Camp Davern is at a registration rate we don’t usually see until the end of May,” Mason says. “The quality of the instructors is just really solid; it falls back to the old customs of an outdoor camp.”
This year, campers have the option of attending for seven or 12 days, unlike last year. Most of the changes are in the camp’s attitude though, Mason and Brooks say.
“This year it's, you’re awesome, here you are, let’s celebrate that,” Brooks says. “There’s a lot of new energy.”
Campers who don’t want to go to traditional sleep away camp, but want to get outdoors, can also use the bus program to access Otonabee’s outdoor programs. The bus picks campers up daily from the Metro Central Y on Argyle Street.
General summer camps for children five to 12 years old are also being offered through the Jack Purcell Recreation Association.
“We’re having time travel week, environmental week, science week, adventure week, fun-in-the-sun week,” said Tasha Latimer, camps director for Jack Purcell. “Once a week there is a trip like cave exploring or Upper Canada Village.”
Plant Recreation Centre is all about the water, with a variety of programs that combine sports with swimming, as well as an all aqua sports camp and an aqua preschool camp.
For youth who have outgrown traditional summer camps, McNabb Recreation Centre hosts a skateboarding park for the first part of the summer, and a drop-in centre for the second half of the break.
The Museum of Nature is offering limited summer programming because of the renovations, says program director Louis Senechal. It has not announced programming yet, but most daytime programs will be free with admission to the museum.
Both the YMCA and Jack Purcell offer financial aid on a case by case basis to subsidize the cost of summer camps. The YMCA receives significant funding from the Max Keeping Foundation.
Approximately 25 per cent of YMCA campers receive financial assistance, typically covering half their camp costs, Mason says.
Numbers at Jack Purcell are smaller for financial assistance, says bookkeeper Susan Hickman. Out of 40 kids, one or two often have their fees subsidized.
They haven’t seen an increase in children requesting financial aid, but Hickman says she wouldn’t be surprised if it happens.
School isn’t out for the summer, but this year’s camps are already taking registration for summer campers.