The final program of the summer camp season was offered this past week, hosted by the City of Riverbank’s Parks and Recreation Department. The camps and programs this summer have been a success with some even having a waiting list, according to staff.
The final Western Camp was held last week with 30 campers, staged at the Riverbank Teen Center. The campers were ages 6 to 12 and had a variety of activities like crafts, games, free play, and a crowd favorite, swim time at the community pool.
The Recreation Department offered Mini Camps for kids ages 3 to 5 through the month of June that were held three days a week at the Scout Hall.
“All the mini camps were full with waitlists and the full day camps went extremely well,” said Recreation Supervisor Tony Lemonds. “I would say some highlights and we do evaluations after every week; the kids love the pool. I know it is such a simple thing but it is one of the biggest highlights from the camps. The making of new friends and they have things that they can take home like the crafts to their parents is another highlight.”
Each camp had a theme and were held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a full week. They also offered a morning and afternoon extension for working parents that needed to drop off their kids a half hour earlier or pick them up a half hour later for a fee.
Outdoor campers at Jacob Myers Park had a visit from Cruzin Critters out of Turlock that brought a variety of special critters like a porcupine, hissing cockroaches, chinchillas, and bearded dragons. Campers also got to enjoy a water slide.
They offer a variety of classes, programs, and entertainment throughout the year like Movies in the Park. Lemonds noted that so far, the showing of the Sandlot earlier this month had the biggest turnout. The movies are held in the grassy area at Jacob Myers Park on a big screen when the sun goes down and is free to all attendees.
The next movie showing is for adults, 18 years and older, called Date Night with Steve Carell and Tina Fey on Saturday, July 30. In conjunction with the showing the Recreation Department is offering parents a true night out. Parents can drop off their kids at the Riverbank Teen Center at 8 p.m. and pick them up after the movie.
There will be some refreshments offered at the showing and guests can bring blankets, chairs, and their own goodies. The final movie of the summer will be a showing of “The Mask of Zorro” on Saturday, Aug. 20 that will begin when the sun goes down around 8:45 p.m.
Tot Time will begin a new session on Aug. 15 for ages 3 to 5 at the Scout Hall on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
They also offer Yoga classes and guitar lessons that have all been well received.
Lemonds said, “The classes are doing well. We have a lot of different ones so look at our classes to partake in. We like the community to come out and give us their feedback so we can make it better and better each year. That is our goal.”
The fall activity guide will come out on Sept. 1 with specifics on events like the Cheese and Wine, Haunted Hayride, and Christmas parade along with the classes and programs that will be offered.
Lemonds expressed that they are always looking for volunteers to host a scare site for Halloween and groups to participate in the parade to usher in the holidays.
They will have a final session of swim lessons that begins on Aug. 1 with a few spots still open. For those that are interested they can register online at riverbank.recdesk.com or in person Monday through Thursday at 6707 Third St., Suite C or call 209-863-7150 for more information regarding all programs.
“I just want the community to know we need them to come out and participate in these programs especially because a lot of these are free,” added Lemonds. “It is important that the community engagement is there so we can continue to do these free events.”
