With schools dismissing soon for the year, some parents are wondering what to do with their kids for the summer — and Mount Airy recreational officials have an answer.
The city Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up for its annual summer camp program, which will offer such activities as swimming, skating, field trips, movies, library and park visits, arts and crafts, instructional games and more.
“We keep them busy as much as possible,” Fonda Mooney, program director, said Monday of the various activities planned in the coming months.
This year’s summer camp program runs from May 31 to Aug. 26, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on each day of the camp. Eligible age ranges include those who have completed kindergarten, up to age 12.
It will be based at two different sites, Jones Intermediate School on Riverside Drive and Reeves Community Center, but spots are now only available for the Jones site.
“Everything at the Reeves site is filled up,” Mooney said of the popular camp program that draws in kids from all over.
“It’s usually a little over 200,” she said of total attendance at both sites.
However, the same activities will be in store for each.
“It’s a very active program,” Mooney said, which promotes fitness, an appreciation for the outdoors, the learning of new skills — and simply having fun. Healthy lunches and snacks also are provided through the city schools’ nutrition program.
“Hopefully, they will have a lifetime of memories,” Mooney said of what organizers seek to have participants take away from the camp.
The staff counselor-to-camper ratio is 1:15, and all counselors are CPR- and first aid-certified.
Scheduling, price options
The cost of the summer camp is $62 a week per child for city residents and $77 for non-residents. A $5 discount is available for each additional child, and Reeves Community Center participant package holders receive 20 percent off the weekly fees.
Apart from the full camp, other options for summer child care are available.
The city recreation department offers half-day or two-week camp programs, in which parents may choose any two weeks of the summer they would like for kids to attend. The weekly fee for this is $72 for city residents and $90 for non-residents.
Additional weeks can be included.
A half-day program also is available, including one on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon, at a weekly fee of $47 for city residents and $56 for non-residents.
Another half-day program is offered for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon, with the cost $30 for residents and $47 for non-residents.
Parents must commit to eight weeks out of the summer.
Registration information is available at 336-786-8313.
Tom Joyce may be reached at 336-415-4693 or on Twitter @Me_Reporter.
