New online registration offered for Recreation's Summer Kamp 2011

With summer just around the corner, parents may take advantage of the Carson City Recreation Division's new Summer Kamp 2011 online registration system, which starts Monday.

Summer Kamp offers parents supervised activities for their children throughout the summer, said Meagan Soracco, recreation program manager for youth.

"I think this program is amazing," said Soracco, who started out as a leader for the Kamp nearly 15 years ago when she was 16 and worked her way up. "That's why I've stayed here so long. What other job lets you play all summer?"

Kamp is held weekdays for nine weeks - plus an extra three days so parents only have to find child care for two days before school starts. It runs from June 13 through Aug. 17. Hours are from 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. to make dropoff and pickup convenient for parents.

Cost for residents is $85 per week per child, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

There are programs for children entering kindergarten through ninth grade. Carson City Recreation Division also offers a leader in training program for students entering ninth grade, or older.

Kids are placed in groups based on the grade they will enter school in the fall.

"This is for added safety and security, as well as planning age-appropriate activities," Soracco said.

Each group has a name and an individual color for their T-shirts. Shirts are purchased individually, although some parents bring back their kids' previously used shirts to donate to families in need.

Kinders are for those about to enter kindergarten; Wagoneers first grade; Pioneers second grade; Explorers third grade; Mountaineers fourth grade; Wolverines fifth grade; Summer Loafers sixth grade; and Trail Blazers for seventh, eighth and ninth graders.

Soracco said about 200 kids participate in the annual kamp.

"We've got an amazing ratio of one leader for every 10 kids," she said, adding that leader training starts a week before camp. To be eligible for leader training, youngsters must be entering ninth grade, or older.

Activities include a lot of outdoor games, swimming, in-town and out-of-town field trips, arts and crafts, bowling, archery and, for an additional cost, swim lessons.

"One of the great things about Kamp is our partnerships with the Clear Creek Bowman who teach archery, and the Carson City/Storey County Cooperative Extension, which offers special science lessons to the third and fourth graders," she said.

"I have to tell parents to pack a lot of lunch, because those kids are so active all day, they're hungry and tired by the time they get home," she said.

Soracco invites parents to go online and sign up their kids for a great time during summer break.

"Meet new friends while playing games, swimming and going on field trips. Our programs are safe, structured and fun," she said. "The staff (members) are well-trained in CPR, First Aid, teambuilding and positive reinforcement."

GET INVOLVED:

To register for Carson City Recreation Division's Summer Kamp 2011, go to www.carson.org/ccpr. Those who don't have computers may still register in person at 851 E. William St. For more information, call Soracco at 887-2290, Ext. 7428 or email to mssoracco@carson.org.