Summer camps offer academic, recreational opportunities

by Ashleigh Behlmann

SBJ Contributing Writer

sbj@sbj.net

As summer draws closer, Springfield parents are weighing child care options for their school-aged children. Fortunately, myriad options exist whether the care they seek is academic or recreational.

Camp Bear

Offered by Southwest Missouri State University, Camp Bear provides local children with an exciting and cerebral way to pass the summer.

Camp Bear begins June 7 and ends July 30, and accommodates children from kindergarten to ninth grade. It is designed to afford its participants a balanced structure of academic enrichment and physical activity.

To make summer learning fun, Camp Bear has enlisted the help of local educators and professionals, all of whom bring an unusual skill or subject to the classroom. "One of our most unusual classes this year is a Lego-brick building class. The instructor is a national Lego judge, was a national champion when he was younger and has built some of the figures in Legoland," said Myra Miller, program coordinator.

Children in the middle age groups will have the opportunity to design structures on computer, while the eldest group of children will be building Lego robots.

Miller said Camp Bear is selective in its hiring.

"The academic staff has to submit a proposal for the class they want to teach and have it approved by a committee to be able to teach. All of our staff goes through extensive background checks," she said.

When children are not in the company of the academic staff, they are with the recreational staff, which, according to Miller primarily comprises graduates of or seniors in the Education and Child and Family Development programs.

Pricing for the program is from $139 to $179 per week. Children whose parents or grandparents are affiliated with SMSU, either through employment or enrollment, receive reduced rates. The camp hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The camp offers financial aid; however, the cut off for financial aid applications was April 30. Miller noted that the program, which can accommodate 938 students, has about 700 enrolled.

Grant Avenue Baptist Daycare

Grant Avenue Baptist Church Daycare offers children a summer of adventures. While the center offers year-round care for preschool children, its school-age summer program accommodates children who have completed kindergarten through 11 years of age, and can enroll 85 children total. The summer program begins June 1 and ends in late August. The program costs $70 per week in addition to a one- time registration fee of $60, which covers the cost of excursions. The school is open 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

According to Janice Sartin, director of children's ministry and preschool at the center, students have regular field trips that take them out of the center at 1033 N. Grant.

"They have a weekly picnic at one of the parks around town, we go swimming in the pool at the Grant Beach Park, skating and bowling on alternate weeks, miniature golfing, the Incredible Pizza Company, we volunteer at the Humane Society. When they are here, they play outside," Sartin said. "Also, we have a reading program that gets them to read every day. We do units of study focusing on a certain country, they do research and then make an art craft or food, if possible, relating to that country," said Sartin.

Scholarships are available on an as-needed basis. "We have people in the church who will help out if a parent can't pay the $60. We also allow them to make payments," said Sartin. The program has a number of returning students every summer, said Sartin.

"It's like a homecoming. It's great to see how much they've grown and learned every year.

First Baptist Summer Celebration

First Baptist Church on South Street is preparing for its summer day care program, Summer Celebration. The program can enroll up to 150 children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The 10-week program runs from June 7 through Aug. 13 and also offers scholarships through a church fund. The First Baptist facility includes a gym, bowling alley and game room. Participants in the program have daily Bible study, but aside from this time, the children are active, according to Assistant Director Matthew Graham.

"Every week we have a theme. For instance, one week we have wet-and-wild week where we do a lot of water-related activities outside. Children also enjoy field trips to the wildlife museum, Fantastic Caverns, and Fassnight pool." Weekly fees are $50 per week for children who attend full-time and $30 for children who attend half days.

Summer Celebration hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Springfield Family YMCA

Springfield Family YMCA offers childcare at four facilities in the area. The YMCA's Summer Odyssey program is geared toward children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grades.

"They will have three field trips per week; Dickerson Park Zoo, make pretzels at Auntie Em's for a day, go to Camp Wakonda for a day, the Nature Center (and) Imax in Branson. They will also have guest speakers from organizations like DARE, the American Cancer Society, the Young Astronauts of Springfield, and the American Indian Center," said Childcare Coordinator Korrie Schrage.

Also offered is the Odyssey Junior program, a leadership program for sixth and seventh graders.

"They do the same activities as the younger groups but they get a list of field trips and speakers to choose from, and they do all of the calling and planning. They decide what they want to do rather than have it chosen for them. They will also be doing some kind of community service. They will choose what they want to do volunteer at the Humane Society, raise money for the Kitchen, plant flowers for somebody it's up to them," Schrage said.

Full-time fees range from $60 to $80, depending on whether the child's family has YMCA membership, and in which facility they enroll. With the same factors taken into consideration, part time fees range from $30 to $50. Scholarships are available. Hours vary by YMCA facility.

"We offer 50 percent scholarships, so if there is someone who can't afford the program we will match them, if they still need help they can set up a co-pay with DFS," said Schrage.

Boys and Girls Club

Boys and Girls Club of Springfield offers care for children ages 6-18 at its three facilities in Springfield. The weekly cost of the program is $25 for one child, $35 for two and $40 for three or more. In addition to its usual repertoire of local trips, the program takes children to St. Louis Zoo, Whitewater and Six Flags. Boys and Girls Club also has added a new program this summer.

"One of our programs that is a little out of the ordinary is that we are doing a variety show at the Springfield Little Theatre. We will hold auditions, they will have rehearsals, and on August 6 they will give a performance of skits and improv. This was sponsored by Bank One, and the proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club," said Chris Whitehead, director of operations.

Another feature is that 70 kids get to go to the Kids Across America Camp in Golden City for one week. The only additional cost is 25 hours of community service, according to Whitehead. The Boys and Girls Club summer program runs June 1 to Aug. 20. Lunch and snacks are provided at no additional cost.

The program is held 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., with a teen program that is open until 9 p.m.