Day Camp registration to be held June 2-4

By Lynsi Musselman

Both campers and parents seemed to be happier about their summer prospects after ResourceCare announced the dates for summer Day Camp 2020, after Governor Abbott lifted more restrictions for the state of Texas.

Camp will be held Monday through Friday, July 6 to July 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

ResourceCare program director Mindy Ary said there will be special registration times this year, June 2 to June 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Albany Youth Center.

“In order to attend the camp this summer, parents must enroll their children one of these three days,” Ary said. “We will not be able to take registrations after June 4. Anyone who does not sign up during our official registration days will not be able to register at a later date.”

Ary explained that previous changes in government requirements, and now with new COVID-19 policies, it is even more important to follow guidelines put in place to maintain the proper status to be eligible for grant money. 

“During registration,we will require permission and allergy forms to be filled out and signed, as well as prescription release forms for campers who will need medication within camp hours,” Ary said. 

Parents who have conflicts with the registration dates provided can contact ResourceCare at 325-762-2447 or e-mail mindyary@resourcecare.org prior to June 4 to schedule an alternate time.

Campers

Day Camp is free to registered children from three years of age and potty trained through those going into sixth grade.

Program assistant Ragan Riley said the staff will provide a small breakfast snack and a hot lunch.

Riley reminds parents that outside food is not permitted.

“This is also a requirement for some of the grant funding,” she said. “We have to abide by their rules.”

Children should be dropped off at the Youth Center no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

Currently, the plan is for all campers to be picked up at 3:00 p.m. from the Youth Center.

Staff and 

Volunteers

Summer Day Camp consists of working and mentoring children from three years of age to sixth graders.

To be considered for paid staff, applicants need to be an entering freshman in high school through seniors, including some graduates. 

Volunteer positions are for applicants entering seventh and eighth grades.

The only time to apply for these positions will be June 2 to June 4 at 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. These are the same three days campers will be able to enroll in day camp.   

Documents needed to apply are a copy of the applicant’s Social Security card, driver’s license if the applicant has one, and contact information for three references. Applicants need to be able to indicate days they will not be available to work between July 6 and July 24.

Applicants who are chosen to be a part of Summer Day Camp 2020 will be contacted by phone and will be required to attend a staff training on June 24 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Albany Youth Center.  

“Graduating seniors who have volunteered in both seventh and eighth grade and who work all four years of high school are eligible for a Day Camp scholarship,” Ary said. 

New Activity

This year, Albany ISD will collaborate with the camp to get school-age children engaged in learning.

AISD director of student services Leigh Lowe said the school will be a part of the camp’s rotation in the morning for about 45 minutes to an hour, four days out of the week during the three-week camp.

“This will be a fun educational hands-on activity, not in a classroom,” Lowe said. “Since we did not get to finish the school year, we thought this would be a good way to see the kids and fill the learning gap a little before school starts in the fall.”

Lowe said several teachers are already set up for the camp rotation.

Funding

Camp is usually made possible by the United Way of Abilene, Albany Chest, local contributions, and fundraising events including CareFest in the fall, bake sales throughout the year, and work at the Fandangle grounds.

“Our funding is down due to the coronavirus shutdown, and we could use more if anyone wants to donate,” Riley said. “We might be looking at cutting the t-shirts that are typically given to campers for free or charging a small fee to attend camp. The meals and activities provided for the campers, along with paying 40 high school and adult staff members, is also funded from our donations.” 

Along with monetary donations, the camp can use bottled water, sunscreen, Fruit Loops, cornstarch, large marshmallows, pretzels, Goldfish, popcorn, cookies, Kool-Aid mix, and arts and crafts supplies. 

Donations can be dropped off at Resource Care during normal business hours or at the Youth Center from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, or picked up by request.

Contributions can be mailed to ResourceCare, ATTN: Day Camp, PO Box 2435, Albany, TX 76430.

The day camp has been held annually since 1998, when 15 kids participated in the program designed to help reduce the youth crime rate in Albany during the summer months by providing students with a safe place, nutritious food, structured activities, and educational experiences during part of their summer vacation. 

Safety

There will be new rules implemented this year to ensure the safety and sanitation for campers and staff.

Ary explained there is always a nurse on site to tend to normal camper needs, but this year the nurse will also help check daily temperatures for both campers and staff. 

Ary said no parents will be allowed in the Youth Center during drop-off and pickup times. Due to government restrictions still in place, only campers and staff members will be allowed inside the facility, she explained. 

Riley added that precautions will be practiced all day regarding sanitizing surfaces and using hand sanitizer.

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