Registrations Open For Summer Camps

By Kendra Bobowick

For kids, summer brings sunburn, mosquito bites, toasted marshmallows on a stick, and, of course, camp. The Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director of Parks RoseAnn Reggiano believes that camping is as fundamental to young residents as stories told around a campfire. She said, “It’s an important part of summer, it’s where they make friends, have fun outside.”

Camps are also a place to try something new, Ms Reggiano said. “Maybe they want to try a sport and experience it. We have science programs, art, dance, specialty camps…” In fact, the list of programs includes Dickinson Day Camp’s specialty themes, a middle school camp, camps for grades 5 and 6 only, Treadwell Day Camp, Kidsfit Summer Camp, Adult Specialty/Sport Camps, and Specialty Camps. Treadwell and Dickinson activities had once welcomed children through grades 6, but this year Parks and Rec is trying something new. Ms Reggiano said that the fifth and sixth grades will be separated into their own camp.

“They’re just more active,” she said. Overall, camps propel the students out of the house. “It keeps kids active, busy, and gets them moving and they’re not in front of the TV,” she said. “It gets them outside and maybe they learn something new.”

During a recent Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Ms Reggiano noted that while registration numbers are average for most camps, the Dickinson Day Camp registration is “very, very low.” Like last year — the first year the pool was removed from that park — enrollment has dropped dramatically. Hoping to spark an interest in the Dickinson activities, the new Site Director Alison Mitchel has selected themes for each week the camp is in session.

“We’re trying something different,” Ms Reggiano said. Themes, which are not listed in the recreation department’s spring and summer guide, include Red, White, and Blue for the week of July 2–6. Campers can participate in an old-fashioned ball game, make patriotic shakers, and try a mini Olympics course.

The week of July 9–13 is Pirate Week. Participants will go on a scavenger hunt for buried treasure, make pirate flags, and sing pirate songs.

A Jungle Safari Week is planned for July16–20. During that third week of July campers can make animal masks, learn about jungle creatures, and begin to grow plants.

Celebrations finish out July and begin August. Campers are welcomed to face painting, jugglers, carnival games and more during July 30–August 3 for the Carnival Week.

A Beach Party Week ends the Dickinson Day Camp schedule. Activities will include sand art, a Hawaiian Day, and fun with water balloons. A waterslide will be available three days each week, and sprinklers and water activities will also provide needed relief from the summer weather.

Camps allow for early drop-offs and late pickups. The 5–6 camp is early drop-off only.

Middle School Camp runs from July 2 through August 3 and introduces participants to a variety of adventures. On the agenda are trips headed for The Sports Center of Connecticut, where campers will find laser tag and ice-skating. Other activities and destinations include rock climbing in Kent, a visit to Lake Compounce in Bristol, Monster Golf in Groton, Liberty Paint Ball in Pawling, N.Y., games of laser tag in Newington, a trip to Lighthouse Point Beach in New Haven, and more.

Grades 5 and 6 camp sessions running from July 2 through August 10 will be held in different locations each week from the Teen Center to the Hawley School gymnasium, and include field trips. Bluefish games, duckpin bowling, a ride on the Essex steam train, and the Danbury Ice Arena are among the locations campers will visit. During days without trips, the students will enjoy sports activities, games, and arts and crafts onsite.

Kidsfit Summer Camp activities cover a variety of ages from 2½ years old through age 6. Running from June through mid-August, the camp offers programs such as Skills For Young Olympians, Outdoor Adventures, KinderBallet, Space Camp, Beaches And Sunshine, and more.

The sports camps cover baseball, basketball, football, indoor floor hockey, field hockey, soccer, and more.

Fixing The Conflict

The last day of school this year had been pushed back due to the May 16 storm delays and following school cancellations. The rescheduled last day of school, June 25, falls on the same day that several camps were slated to begin. To account for the lost day of camping on that Monday, the camp hours will be extended slightly each day, and in the case of Slamma Jamma Basketball Camp, the first session is extended through Saturday, rather than ending on Friday, June 29.

Ms Reggiano indicated that sign-ups have begun. Registration forms are available at the Parks and Recreation Department offices at 3 Main Street, Town Hall South behind the police station, or are available online at www.newtown-ct.gov, and can be printed from there and mailed to the Main Street Address. Contact the recreation office at 270-4340.