The Concord Recreation Department offers many summer camp options for children.
The planning that goes into the Concord Recreation Summer Camp begins as early as December, according to Laura Lunig, assistant recreation department director at Concord Recreation Department.
"We started researching field trips," as far back as December, Lunig explained in an interview with Patch on Tuesday morning.
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Lunig said the camp prides itself on having "very experienced" staff on hand. There is approximately 60 staff at the camp each year, including educators, counselors and college students.
Various activities such as swimming, tennis, arts, crafts and games are offered.
There are four different types of camps for varying age groups: The Kaleidoscope camp, Junior camp, Senior camp and Post camp.
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Kaleidoscope Camp
The Kaleidoscope camp is a half-day program for children either entering kindergarten or first grade. In addition to arts, crafts, games and tennis lessons, the program also offers swim lessons. The camp runs from June 28 to Aug. 13 and is $210 per week. The camp is located at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main St.
Junior Camp
Beginning June 28 and running for seven weeks, the Junior camp is a full-day program, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for those in kindergarten through grade three. In addition to swimming lessons, tennis lessons, arts and crafts, sports and games are offered. There are also field trips included in the camps' activities, including a planned trip in August to Crane beach and Belkin Lookout Farm. The camp is $395 per week. The camp's location is at Hunt Recreation Center, 90 Stow St.
Senior Camp
Also beginning on June 28 and running for seven weeks, the senior camp, serves those in fourth through eighth grades. While the activities are similar to the junior camp, participants also take part in archery and have a more "challenging schedule," according to the recreation department's Web site. Camp activities also include off-site field trips such as Kimballs and a day trip to Hopkinton. Cost is $450 per week. The camp is also located at the Hunt Recreation Center.
Post Camp
The Post camp is for all participants who take part in the day camp. It runs only from Aug. 23 to Aug. 27 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. While activities are similar to the daily camp activities, movies are also included. Cost is $500.
The other programs offered include:
Summer Adventures Program
This program is for those in grades 7 through 9 and includes many activities such as whitewater rafting, beach trips and other outdoor activities. The three-week program, beginning on July 27 varies in price for each week, ranging in price from $225 to $250. This program's activities also take place at the Hunt Recreation Center and occur from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Workreation Program
The Workreation Program gives those in grades 8 and 9 the opportunity to receive employment training. It enables participants, according to the recreation Web site, "to assist Concord Recreation summer teachers and counselors in a camp setting, which… is supervised." For half a day, the program is $100 per week while the price increases by $125 for a full week. The program runs from June 28 to Aug. 13.
Summer at Alcott
This program allows children who are attending the Concord Public School summer program to also take part in summer camp. Activities are the same as those that other campers partake in the summer day camp. The program runs from June 28 to July 23. Cost is $312.50 per week.
Preschool Adventures
Preschool Adventures is a half-day program geared toward 3 to 4 year olds. Activities include outdoor games, science/nature and swim lessons to name a few of the activities offered. The program runs from June 28 to Aug. 13 and costs $210 per week.
To register for any of the programs one can contact the recreation department at (978) 369-6460 or visit their website at http://summercamp.concordma.gov/
Lunig said there is no registration deadline and that she doesn't have a cap on the programs, although she does say they do sell out relatively quickly.
Asked what is unique about the camps, Lunig said that Concord "recreations has a long history of quality programs at an affordable cost."
Most important, Lunig said these summer programs are vital because they give children the opportunity to socialize with their peers while having a great time.
