Just weeks before the Noblesville Parks Dept. opens its summer day camps and registration is available for most of the offerings in June and July.
“Typically our mornings fill up fast,” Recreation Director Susie Davis said. “We have plenty of openings in afternoon camps. It is an odd year because spring never came. Because now that it is getting warmer we’re getting a lot of calls. It didn’t seem like summer was three months away.”
For residents with visiting grandchildren, Davis said half-day camps are a great way to provide grandkids with a few hours of outdoor fun and make new friends.
“They can run and play while grandparents run errands and have time to take care of things they normally do,” she said. “We haven’t had near the (amount of) grandparents sign up as we have had in the past.”
Day camps are open to children ages 4 through 10 (with two sessions offered to ages 2½ to 4 and up to age 12). Of the camps 29 sessions, Davis said only four were full – the morning sessions of Backyard Games, Splish Splash and Camp Olympics and the afternoon session of Flag Football. A wait list is available for any camps that are full.
“It’s an opportunity to get away for a few hours, burn some energy, have some fun, make friends and be outside,” Davis said.
Traditional day camps at Forest Park are nature-focused with daily fun outdoor activities. An emphasis on games, songs, animals and becoming comfortable in outdoor surroundings is a fundamental part of the program. The traditional camp is offering two new sessions this year. Davis said the Hiding Right Before Your Eyes session explains the importance of camouflage and special adaptations predators and prey have that make them special.
“Into the Wild looks at what’s right here in Noblesville – the habitats, animals and creatures,” she said.
The sports and games day camps have a children’s sports focus but still retain the characteristics of typical day camp with games, activities, nature and all sorts of fun. These camps are an introduction to the sports focus of the week but are not sports clinics. Camps are held at Dillon and Forest parks. Davis said the sports camps cycle each year and soccer and flag football have not been offered the last couple of years. The Sports Sampler session also has been expanded and is offered for one week at each park.
“We have different amenities at each park,” she said.
Davis said camps are staffed by teachers and college students that are trained including certification in CPR and first aid. The ratio of camps is 1:6 for the younger age groups.
“We have the highest ratio of staff of anyone around here,” she said.
Camps run half day, one-week sessions June 9 through July 25. Morning sessions are $60 per camper and afternoon sessions are $55. Camp programs are inclusive and serve children with and without special needs.
“Half scholarships are available for kids with economic needs. Call the office, ask and we’ll send you the information,” Davis said.
For camp descriptions, session dates and times, visit www.NoblesvilleParks.org or call 770-5750.
