A donation from Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Newtown to the town’s Parks & Recreation Department will help at least one child attend Summer Day Camp this approaching season.

VNA Newtown President Mary Tietjen and Treasurer Alice Falkowitz visited Parks & Rec’s offices recently, handing off a donation to Parks & Rec Assistant Director-Recreation Rose Ann Reggiano. Town of Newtown Human Services Director Natalie Jackson and Human Services Care Navigator Alyssa Cole were also on hand for the handoff of funds.

The donation will be earmarked for The Newtown Summer Camp Program Fund.

In a typical year, Newtown Parks & Recreation hosts approximately 1,400 children at summer camps, according to information shared with The Newtown Bee. Some families need assistance to send their children to camp.

The Summer Camp Program Fund offers scholarships to children of low income families to allow an active way of spending their day while their parents are at work.

In recent years, Parks & Recreation and Human Services have been able to send dozens of children to many weeks of summer camp, according to Reggiano.

Parents and guardians can apply for scholarships through Human Services (203-270-4330 or newtown-ct.gov/social-services). The Town department determines who is eligible for funds, and administers those funds.

The current cost for one week of day camp at Dickinson or Treadwell Park is $175 per child, or $1,250 for a full eight-week season. Teen Adventure Camp, for ages 10½-16, is $340 per week or $1,420 for the five-week full session.

Donations toward summer camp scholarships are welcomed year-round. Contact Newtown Parks & Recreation at 203-270-4340 to learn about donation options.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.