Camp Director Returns For A Summer Full Of Day-Tripping

By John Voket

Rachel Bolmer understands what it is like to be in summer camp. And this summer, she has about 20 different ways to keep her campers from adopting too much of a ‘…been there, done that’ attitude.

The 20-something Middle School Camp director isn’t so far along in years that she has forgotten the many years she spent as a Newtown Park & Rec camper herself. Besides attending the Dickinson Park camp as an adolescent, she has also attended local basketball and soccer camps, along with several other Newtown camp activities.

Now in her third year as the Middle School Camp supervisor, Ms Bolmer said she has been looking forward to her upcoming summer job almost as much as some of the returning campers she has worked with in recent years.

“I was shopping at Target back in February, and one of the girls who was in camp with me last summer came running up to me in line telling me how she couldn’t wait for this year’s program to start,” she said while taking a break from answering phones at the Parks and Recreation Department offices.

As a four-sport athlete who played field hockey, lacrosse, basketball, and softball for Newtown High School, Ms Bolmer said she understands how much young people look forward to keeping busy and socializing with new and old friends, especially during the long hot summer months.

She is committed to making sure all middle school campers expand their social horizons by discouraging cliques from forming among pockets of schoolmates during the program.

“We don’t want anyone standing off to the side feeling left out if their friends are doing something else this summer,” Ms Bolmer said. “So we’ll be breaking up all the campers into mixed teams, and paying special attention to make sure groups of existing friends are matched with new teammates during the time they are with us.”

According to Ms Bolmer, by the end of the summer, nearly every camper ends up with a wider and more diverse group of friends.

“It also strengthens existing friendships because we try to put close friends on opposite teams,” she said. “So when we have friendly competitions like relay races and other games, the kids who usually end up getting on the same teams together actually end up competing against one another.”

Having already logged two years as the Middle School Camp director, Miss Bolmer knows what to expect from her team of counselors as well.

“I know all of the counselors and directors get along really well together, which helps the kids feel more welcome,” she said.

While returning campers may have already experienced some of the planned summer activities during previous sessions, Ms Bolmer said her Parks and Recreation Department supervisors have worked to build in as many new activities as possible.

“I’ve run into a lot of the parents when they are coming in to get their kids registered, and they keep telling me what a blast everyone had in past summers,” she said.

As a result of feedback provided through after-camp surveys, the Parks and Recreation Department has added a fourth week of camp sessions this summer. The weeklong sessions begin Tuesday, July 5, and run through the week of July 25.

Participating Newtown youths must have completed grades six through eight to be eligible, and sessions all begin and end at the Newtown Middle School gym. Camp fees include a T-shirt, which campers are expected to wear to help identify them on all camp trips, as well as all admission and transportation costs for the numerous day trips that are scheduled during the weekly programs.

The varied scope of activities appears to offer something for every taste, along with some unique experiences.

“We really try to schedule trips that might be different than what families may take together,” Ms Bolmer said.

The first week of Middle School Camp offers go-cart racing, a trip to Smiles Entertainment Center arcade and laser tag complex, a trip to the movies in Trumbull or optional free swim at Dickinson Park. The week concludes with a Small World Adventure rope climbing and fun-filled obstacle course.

Week two will feature an on-site game and activity day at the middle cchool, a Small World Adventure biking trip at Lake Waramaug, a day at Lake Compounce amusement and water park in Bristol, a rock climbing party, and an optional movie day or free swim at Dickinson.

Week three kicks off with activities at the school, a day of bowling at Lore’s Lanes, a trip to Liberty paint ball center, more water ride and slide fun at Splash Down Park, and the optional movie or free swim at Dickinson.

The final week offers ice skating and batting cages at the Golf Center of Connecticut, Farmington River tubing, an afternoon with the Bridgeport Bluefish, cave exploration at Torie’s Cave, and wraps up with a picnic at Dickinson Park.

In the event of rain during the earlier part of the week, certain trips may be rescheduled to Fridays in place of the movie trips or Dickinson Park activities. Parents are reminded that refunds will not be provided if the camper does not attend any particular day of the camp, or if the Parks and Recreation Department is unable to reschedule a particular trip.

“Of course we’ll make every effort to reschedule any missed trips within the same week,” Ms Bolmer said.

There are still a limited number of spots open for the entire four-week program, and during each weekly session. Parents can save $95 by signing up their child for the entire four weeks of Middle School Camp, instead of registering week-to-week as the month progresses.

Registration forms are available at the Parks and Recreation office at Town Hall South. A limited number of partial or full campership scholarships may still be available for qualifying campers through the Newtown Social Services office, also located at Town Hall South in the rear lower level behind the Newtown Police headquarters.