Children played on the playgrounds, passed a ball around, or splashed down a water slide on June 30 as the first week of Newtown Parks and Recreation summer day camps this summer came to a close.newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation.

Parks and Recreation day camps for children ages 4 through 12 began at Dickinson Memorial Park and Treadwell Memorial Park on June 26 and will continue weekly through August 11.

Campers will spend the days from 9 am to 3 pm involved in crafts, practicing sports, and playing group games such as capture the flag, according to RoseAnn Reggiano, the assistant director of recreation. Campers at Dickinson can take skateboard lessons, and campers at Treadwell can take swimming lessons, she said.

Participants will also take day trips to local attractions like Quassy Amusement Park, the Beardsley Zoo, and the Connecticut Science Center.

The camps will receive visits from entertainers, including children's DJ Austin Dailey and a traveling art studio called "Studio on the Move," according to Ms Reggiano.

Ms Reggiano said camp attendance is higher than usual this year. The Dickinson camp will have more than 70 participants each week and the Treadwell camp will have more than 100 participants each week. Campers can sign up for one, some, or all of the seven weeks of camp offered. Ms Reggiano said most participants register for more than one week.

Campers are guided by a total of approximately 45 camp counselors, who are ages 16 to 25.

"Our motto is 'the best summer ever,'" Ms Reggiano said.

Parents can register their children at the Parks and Recreation office at 3 Main Street or visit