By Deborah M. Walker
Now that school is out parents are left wondering what to do with their children for the summer. Parents want a fun, safe, educational alternative for their children, the answer is simple… summer camp.
Summer camp is safe, fun and affordable and gives campers a chance to meet new friends and learn new skills says Brett Kaschinske, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Lansing. Campers learn new skill sets that will transition with them as they grow added Kaschinske.
“We bring in instructors from other organizations like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and partners throughout the community to come in and have that camp type experience that will make memories that will last a life time,” said Kaschinske.
According to Kaschinske, campers get a chance to get out of the house and spend their time off from school doing something positive. At Lansing Parks and Recreation camps, attendees enjoy new leisure time activities such as golf, tennis, arts and crafts and archery explains Kaschinske.
Socialization is also involved and important to the development of young people. According to Kaschinske, there are many benefits for campers who have fun with peers of the same age and learning about interesting subjects.
“We teach them about leadership and being a leader, not only of themselves but about leading others,” said Kaschinske.
Camp is also good because of the physical benefits it offers says Kaschinske. At Lansing Parks and Recreation day camp children are active every day. This is important because according to Kidshealth.org 1 in 3 children in America are obese. With more use of technology and less outdoor opportunities, camp can also help with encouragement of exploring a new sport while exercising.
Physical activity is not the only means for tackling the obesity problem with today’s youth. Nutritious meals are provided to campers at no cost states Kaschinske.
“We also offer pre and post care meaning if parents need to drop kids off before camp or stay until 6 p.m. so they can allow themselves to be at work during those hours,” said Kaschinske.
For campers looking for 24-hour a day fun, overnight camps are available too. The YMCA offers day camps as well as an overnight camp at its Mystic Lake location. Jason Helman, Youth & Family Director for the Oak Park YMCA says the YMCA camps are a great away to spend the summer.
“We’re a safe program that experiences lots of new things every day,” said Helman.
Devin Carter, fifth grader at Mt. Hope Elementary and YMCA day camp attendee, says she enjoys learning new things and participating in her favorite activities, especially cooking. Carter says she cannot wait to sample the delicious foods or explore the great outdoors.
“My favorite camp is the cooking camp and that’s the one I’m most excited about because I love cooking,” said Carter.
Carter is excited to meet new friends and see old ones she says. A return camper in her fifth year at YMCA summer camp, Carter says she is looking forward to coming back next year too.
“I met a lot of new friends that weren’t here last year or the years that I was here before so it was cool to meet new friends and get to know them,” said Carter.
Since there are many summer camp programs to choose from parents should shop around before picking a camp. Cost is always an important factor and parents should look for a program that is affordable as well as convenient.
To stay competitive Lansing Parks and Recreation offers discounts to residents, as well as, scholarships to Lansing residents who quality informed. According to Kaschinske, Lansing Parks and Recreation is very affordable. The cost of attending a Lansing Park and Recreation camp is regularly $30 per week for residents and $55 per week for nonresidents. Those who sign up online will receive a $5 discount. Kaschinske says diversity, affordability and services makes Lansing Parks and Recreation a great choice to consider for summertime fun and learning opportunities.
“We have a variety of camps in a variety of areas which means we do a lot of different things. You’re not just going to have a sports camp, you’re not just going to have an arts and crafts camp or a trip camp, we incorporate all of these opportunities during our summer programming,” said Kaschinske.
The YMCA also offers scholarships for those who qualify, as well as, discounts for members states Helman. Since the YMCA is a licensed day camp and day care provider, DHS (Department of Human Services) payments are also accepted informed Helman. A $35 deposit is all that is needed to reserve a spot in that week’s camp the rest is due upon the start of the camp says Helman. According to Helman, costs of the camps range from $108-$138.
The YMCA also offers extended stay. Cost of extended stay camp is an additional $35 and includes breakfast as well an afternoon snack. Lunch will be provided at no cost to all YMCA campers starting June 23, 2014 says Helman.
Helman says the YMCA is like no other camp. According to Helman, the YMCA is great for campers looking for a different kind of experience.
“We do new things every week, it’s not the standard day camp where it’s kind of repeated weekly, every week we have between 3 and 6 different themes that are offered and those themes change every week so they could go 12 straight weeks without repeating an activity,” said Kaschinske.
According to Carter, learning new activities helps campers become more aware of the world around them. She also says it is beneficial to learn and try new things.
“You learn new things that you hadn’t known before and things that you’ve learned before you get more information about. Instead of just knowing the stuff that you already know you can learn new things,” said Carter.
Safety is also a main concern for parents when choosing day camp. Both the YMCA and the Lansing Parks and Recreation say safety is a top priority for their programs.
“We follow all the guidelines and rules and regulations that are for camp operators. We are not an overnight camp, so obviously we don’t follow those guidelines. All of our staff are trained,” said Kaschinske.
Helman says the YMCA has a long history of providing parents a safe alternative for their children. Helman says YMCA members go through extensive training including CPR, First Aid, Child Sex Abuse Prevention and Playground Safety.
“The YMCA has been around for over 170 years. We’re one of the largest child care providers in the world. We’re nonprofit and very community orientated. Our entire goal is to provide families with a safe environment,” said Helman.
“We’ve been around a long time and we’ve done it right for over a hundred years,” said Helman.
Kaschinske says it is great to see return faces. According to Kaschinske, Lansing Parks and Recreation has been around so long some campers have now become staff members.
“We have children that have been with us a large number of years that keep coming back. We have some actually that work for us now that used to be campers because this program has been going on for many years. Well over 25 years this program has been going on and people can even remember it longer than that,” said Kaschinske.
Registration is still going on for the YMCA, Lansing Parks and Recreation and many other summer camp programs although parents must act quickly spots are filling up. Registration for the YMCA will remain open throughout the summer as long as there are openings in the camp.
Parks and Recreation is still offering registration at some of its locations: Gier Park, Letts Community Center, Lewton Park, Cumberland Park, Foster Community Center (spots are limited) and Schmidt Community Center (spots are limited).
To register for any of the YMCA summer camps visit their website at www.ymcaoflansing.org. For more information please call (517) 827-9700.
For more information about Parks and Recreation visit their website at www.lansingmi.gov/parks or call (517) 483-4277.”
This was printed in the June 29 – July 14, 2014.
