If you are looking for an adventure for your child completing kindergarten through fifth grade this summer, you might want to consider the local day camp program.
This will be the third year for the Dawg Days of Summer Day Camp that is supervised through the Aurora Parks and Recreation Department. The camp is set for July 6 through 17.
Allison Pettit, a recent Aurora High School graduate, started this program in 2007 to “fulfill a need in the community.” After reviewing over 150 parent surveys, she developed this program.
Due to the camp’s success, it was expanded in 2008. During the past two summers, 44 children have participated. City officials hire high school students to be counselors and activity leaders.
Officials are currently in the process of taking applications for a camp director, counselors and activity leaders. Applications are available at city hall. (For more information, contact Pettit or Trent Thompson at 678-5121 extension 33.)
“Be prepared for your child to go home tired, because the list is long for activities,” said Pettit.
Activities are organized in a rotational schedule. Planned activities this summer include tennis, basketball, volleyball, art, reading, scavenger hunts, going to the library, field trips, gardening and bowling.
Red Cross certified swimming lessons will be conducted at an area pool, as well as open swim times. Children are transported by a school bus for out of town events.
Lunch and two snacks a day are provided in the fee.
This program has provided 29 employment positions to high school students and two bus drivers over the last two years.
“My grandson participated in this awesome camp last year. I highly recommend it for anyone,” said Paula Seal, principal at Robinson Elementary School.
The registration fee for the week is $75 per child. There are a few spaces each week reserved for scholarships. In order to receive a scholarship, the camper must be verified to be receiving free or reduced lunches at his/her school. The scholarship price is $40 per child for the week. A 5K benefit run held in April raised $2705 to support this program.
Camp begins each day at 8 a.m. Parents must arrange for children to be picked up at 4 p.m. each day.
Parents may sign up their child for one or both weeks. There are only 30 spaces available each week. Registration for the camp is mandatory. Registration forms are available at city hall.
Payment and completed registration must be delivered to city hall or received by mail (Attention: Finance Department/Day Camp) by June 30.
For more information, call 678-5121 extension 33.
