Summer is quickly creeping upon the Hill. A telltale sign is like the sunset getting later.
The promise of more daylight and no school can be a kid’s favorite equation — or worst formula.
More downtime can quickly turn into boredom, which is a parent’s worst fear. Video games and reruns of old cartoons with overflowing bowls of popcorn should be reserved for rainy days.
Fear not, parents. Bryan County Schools is offering an array of themed summer camps, from princess camp to karate camp. There seems to be something for every type of kid.
Going into its 27th year of offering summer programs, the Community Education Office staff is well-versed at playing the summer-camp game. This year, it offers nine weeks of summer programs.
The Community Education Office says there are half-day and full-day camps available. The full-day camps provide more than 40 hours of child care each week. The cost of each camp varies, but the price includes before- and after-camp care, all activities and the limited field trips. Parents are given the flexibility to register and pay for certain weeks, or the full summer.
According to Community Education Office at Bryan County Schools online Summer camp kicks off the week of May 31 and will roll all the way through July 25. Before- and after-camp care is only provided the months of May and June. Drop-off begins at 7 a.m., and children must be picked up by 6 p.m. During unstructured times, campers are provided with a morning and afternoon snacks. Camp is located at the Richmond Hill Community Education Center, 120 Constitution Way.
The Community Education office states that parents should understand that there is no transportation offered to and from the camp. Parents also must supply lunch for their campers. Water and ice chests will be provided every day, but children should still have one or more drinks in their lunchboxes. Sunscreen should be applied before camp each day because most activities are outdoors. Weather will be closely monitored, and information will be relayed to counselors. Payment for camp should be paid in full each Monday morning.
To register, parents can go to the Community Education campus to pick up a packet, or have one faxed by calling 912-459-5116.
If Bryan County Schools camps don’t cover what you need from a summer program, the YMCA of Richmond Hill also has plenty of experience in providing quality camps to kids and parents for a vast amount of years.
Summer camp at the YMCA begins May 23 and runs through Aug. 3. Structured camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, pre- and post-care are available from 6-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Regular camp for non-members is $145 a week, and $90 a week for members. The YMCA also discounts 20 percent for each additional child from the same family. Parents will have to provide their children with lunch and drinks. Kids will also need to bring a swimsuit, sunscreen and an extra change of clothes.
Camp is more than childcare. For the parent it’s convenient. However, for a child, camp is a place where a kid can grow, and learn.
Camp provides a structure during those long summer days away from books and the ever-looming presence of grades. Kids don’t remember their best day of couch surfing or Facebook scrolling. So keep calm and camp on.