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3-week Day Camp underway

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By Kathy Thomson

ResourceCare’s 19th annual Summer Day Camp began on Monday, July 8, and at least 165 campers are registered to participate over the course of the next three weeks, with at least 40 student workers and volunteers properly trained to help staff members keep an eye on the children. 

Late registrations can not be accepted this year because of changes in the rules governing the grant money that helps ResourceCare pay for some of the food. Anyone not registered before the deadline last Friday, July 5, can not attend the camp this year.

However, the organizers, workers, and volunteers had quite a few activities planned for the campers who were properly registered.

On Monday, in addition to the regular times for meals, games, and crafts, the campers were evaluated on their swimming ability.

Additional special activities planned for the first week included trips to the Albany Sports Center and the gym at Friendship Baptist Church.

Over the course of the next couple of weeks, the campers will also go to see a movie at the Aztec Theater, spend some time at The Feed Store, enjoy snow cones, race through an obstacle course, and visit downtown Albany.

Next Tuesday, July 16 will be Cowboy Day. 

“We have local cowboys lined up to bring a roping dummy and demonstrate how to rope,” said ResourceCare program director Mindy Ary. “We will have some other (rodeo) events as well.”

On Friday, July 19, campers are encouraged to look a little wild for Crazy Hair Day.

Red, White, and Blue will be the dress colors of choice for campers and workers to wear Tuesday, July 23, which is designated as America Day. 

Day camp will continue every weekday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. for three weeks, ending on Friday, July 26. 

Daily Activities

Each morning starts with a breakfast snack served at the Albany Youth Center, and a hot meal is served at lunch time.

Parents are reminded that because of government regulations, students are not allowed to bring any food items to camp.

Various activities take place around town at sites such as Albany High School, The Feed Store, Albany VFD, Courthouse, Aztec Theater, Old Jail Art Center, and Webb Park.

“Like last year, the three to six-year-old children have their own swim time in the pool in the mornings,” said program assistant Ragan Riley. “That seemed to work great, with more eyes on the kids while they are in the water. The older children swim after lunch.”

The children who could prove they are competent swimmers are allowed in the diving, deeper end of the Webb Park pool. Those who do not pass screening are restricted to the shallower splash pad area.

Each day of the camp includes sports, crafts, games, and other activities.

At the end of the day, children who are kindergarten age and under can be picked up at the Youth Center at 3:00 p.m. All other campers can be picked up at the Webb Park pavilion at 3:00 p.m.

The Summer Food Program for Children sponsored by the Texas Department of Human Services is part of the camp and will be available during the three-week period at the Albany Youth Center.

Donations for the camp are being accepted. 

Anyone who would like to contribute to the camp can send tax deductible donations to Resource Care Center, PO Box 2435, Albany, TX 76430. Donors should designate that the funding be used for the “Day Camp.” 

For more information, contact the Resource Center at 762-2447.