Sometimes during the summer a little boredom may set in for the youth in the community and parents as well may be looking for something for them to do. The City of Riverbank’s Parks and Recreation Department is offering a variety of camps throughout the summer to help keep local kids active and entertained.
A three day Musical Notes Mini Camp wrapped last week with Recreation Leader Shellie Forkapa and 10 little campers. Mini camps are only three days from 9 a.m. to noon and are hosted at the Scout Hall.
On the first day of camp the kids made their very own maracas using spoons, plastic eggs, beans, and tape. The next day the campers made their own bells and on the final day of camp they made tambourines. The crafts were specific for the camp so that the kids could create items they could jam with as well. They also got to play on different types of drums, which many of them enjoyed doing.
“Tons of fun,” expressed Recreation Supervisor Julia Petit. “The kids made musical instruments, played drums and sang some songs.”
“It was so much fun with those little cuties,” added Forkapa.
The second session of Hip Hop camp wrapped last week as well which was a bit smaller than the first session.
“They still had a good time,” noted Petit. “They did perform on Friday and it went well.”
Registration is currently open for Mad Scientist Summer Camp that will be held from June 24 through June 28 at the Teen Center. However, the final day to register is Wednesday, June 19. Currently there are openings for kids from age 5 to 9 years old.
“This (Science Camp) will be awesome,” expressed Petit. “We have science experiments, demonstrations, and activities planned that will be a lot of fun. Actually one of my staff members used to be involved with Science Nights at Enochs High School, so she is sharing a lot her experience with us.”
The week long camp is also a full day, running from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and campers will spend some time in the pool each day in the afternoons. Campers will receive a T-shirt and must bring two healthy snacks, a sack lunch, water, swim suit, sun screen, and closed toed shoes.
For the little ones, ages 4 to 8, there is a Princess Spa Day being planned on Wednesday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. This minicamp will include making lip gloss, face masks, getting a manicure/pedicure and, of course, some pampering.
“This has taken off with over twice as many kids as we had last year signed up,” said Petit. “Our Tot Time teachers will lead this. We have a few spaces left.”
Looking ahead, the first camp scheduled in July is a Happy Camper Day Camp, July 8 through 12, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for ages 6 to 12, hosted at Jacob Myers Park and featuring crafts, games and learning about the great outdoors. This camp fills up quickly; cost is $110 for the first child, $100 for additional kids in the same family.
Register online or in the Parks and Rec office at 6707 Third St., Suite C or call 209-863-7150 for more information.
