Summer does not officially begin until June 21, but as far as those at the Washington Park District are concerned, it is in full force.
Many of the park district’s summer activities begin this week, including Camp Adventurer’s Day Camp, a summer camp that keeps children coming back and puts their parents at ease.
“It’s a no-guilty-mom-feeling kind of day care,” said Kristy Howell, the park district’s recreation manager.
“We do the things with kids that working moms wish their kids didn’t miss over the summer.”
Camp Adventurers participate in activities that follow weekly themes. Outings are planned to go along with each theme.
Themes this summer include Around the World, Animal Safari, Get Fit and Go Green. Trips are taken to destinations such as Glen Oak and Miller Park zoos, the Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal, and area water parks.
Campers also take trips to Washington Park Pool, which opened for the season Saturday. They are transported to each outing by Big Blue, the Washington Park District bus.
Camp is 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. Pre- and post-camp time is also available for parents whose schedules need more flexibility. For an additional fee, children can be dropped off at camp as early as 6:30 a.m. and picked up as late as 6 p.m.
“This year, our Camp Adventurers program has already had record numbers,” Howell said. “I’m very excited about that.”
According to Howell, parents can register their children, from kindergarten to sixth grade, for Camp Adventurers as it fits their needs, but, she said, the most economical is to do so by two-week sessions.
Younger children can also participate in the fun this summer at the park district’s Camp Bugga Bugga.
“Camp Bugga Bugga is a morning camp in the park for younger kids,” Howell said. “They do activities, singing and projects outside.”
Parents can ease their 3 and 4 year olds into camp from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 8 to July 1.
Camp counselors provide a safe and fun experience for the campers. This year, Howell said, familiar faces will make up the majority of the staff.
“Everybody’s returning,” she said. “We’re fortunate that they all want to come back to work.”
Many of the camp counselors, Howell added, are college kids who become very attached to the campers.
