Maine Township Summer Camp helps kids experience the real world

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Under the supervision of qualified staff, each day at The Adventure Maine Township Summer Camp provided the opportunity to have a group camp bonding experience doing imaginative and fun filled activities.

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Now in its 16th year and open to Maine Township children ages 8-13 who qualify based on family income, the camp gives children the chance to improve their social skills while they enjoy activities they might not otherwise be able to experience.

In a world where kids spend between six and nine hours a day with their heads bent over their cell phones, 40 youngsters got a chance to experience the real world as part of The Adventure Maine Township Summer Camp program, now in its 16th year. Open to children ages 8-13 who live in Maine Township and qualify based on family income, the camp gives children the chance to improve their social skills while they enjoy activities they might not otherwise be able to experience.

“Our Maine Township Summer Camp is among my favorite township programs as it gives disadvantaged kids who may never have had the opportunity to have a group camp bonding experience doing imaginative and fun filled events around our beautiful city including my favorite inter-generational fishing trip -our Seniors taking our campers out on a beautiful lake to teach them the joys of fishing,” said Supervisor Laura J. Morask.

Under the supervision of qualified staff, many cultural, educational, outings such as amusement parks, professional theater, miniature golf, beach parties, Chicago museums, water parks, sports, games, arts and crafts, and much more are part of the program. Each day provides additional opportunities to discuss a variety of topics such as the value of teamwork, citizenship, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, and the effects of peer pressure.

Trips this year included Santa’s Village, an intergenerational fishing outing, swimming, mini-golf, a working farm, horseback riding down a nature trail, canoeing at Lincoln Marsh in Wheaton, and go carting, according to Richard Lyon, Director of MaineStay Youth & Family Services. “We always finish up each session with an old-fashioned cookout at Glencoe Beach.” he said, adding that some of these kids have never had the chance to see Lake Michigan.

As the 2019 Maine Township Community Garage Sale approaches, Lyon reminded people that one hundred percent of the proceeds will go to support Adventure Maine Township Summer Camp. There are sponsoring opportunities or people can reserve a space to sell their own items, make a donation or come and find bargains for themselves. The garage sale is set for rain or shine on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot at Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Road, Park Ridge.

For more information about MaineStay Youth & Family Services or any other Maine Township department or service, visit www.mainetown.com, call 847-297-2510 or stop by Town Hall during business hours.