Youth Summer Program General Information

Who is eligible to attend the Youth Summer Program?
Children who will have just completed Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades (in June) are eligible to attend the Youth Summer Program at our elementary sites. Children who will have just completed 5th, 6th and 7th grades (in June) are eligible to attend the program at our middle school sites. Additionally, unless assistance from staff is pre-arranged, children must be able to do the following independently: follow directions, exhibit age-appropriate social skills and function in a highly stimulating group environment.

Children with disabilities may apply for the help of a Therapeutic Recreation Aide to help them meet eligibility requirements listed above. All children expected to stay with his/her assigned group, respect others, and maintain self control. To request any special assistance, including a Therapeutic Recreation Aide, please complete a Therpeutic Recreation Aide Request Packet, available for download beginning February 1, 2012.

What is the ratio of recreation aides to children?
Our ratio is to have 1 recreation aide for every 25 children enrolled in the program. Additionally, each site has a site supervisor as well as possibly high school student volunteers (Leaders in Training) and Therapeutic Recreation Aides.

What type of activities does this camp include?
Activities at the Youth Summer Program include sports, games, arts & crafts, small group activities and camp-wide activities.
Detailed information regarding camp policies, procedures and activities will be provided to parents/guardians in the Parent Packet upon registration.
A variety of field trips are planned for each site. (Fees for these field trips are included in the fee for the program). Please be advised that camp is closed while participants are on the field trip. Campers must be dropped off at camp location prior departure or following return.
Prescheduled educational/entertainment programs will also be brought to program sites.

Are meals provided for my child?
As no food service is provided, children are required to bring a lunch, drink and snacks to the program each day.

Does Parks and Recreation provide transportation?
Parents must transport their children to the program site at which they are enrolled, as no transportation is available. (Field trip transportation is provided)

Can my child bring a guest?
Registered children may bring a “guest participant” for $15 per day. Guests are not permitted to attend camp on scheduled field trip days. All participants, including “guests”, must complete a registration form and the guest’s parent or guardian must sign the registration form. Guests must meet the same camper eligibility requirements.

Do children who attend a particular school get priority to attend the Youth Summer Program at that particular school?
As we are not able to hold the program at all 19 county elementary and middle schools, we don’t require children attend the summer program at their own school site. Summer renovation projects at county schools, safety of the children, geography as well as staffing and program resources are some of the factors used when determining which and how many schools to hold the program at each year. To allow children whose school is not hosting the Youth Summer Program an opportunity to attend (as well children who may be home-schooled or who attend private school), we make all of the sites available to all students.