Attendance high at this summer’s 3-week Day Camp

ResourceCare’s 18th annual Summer Day Camp began on Monday, and if camper numbers on the first couple of days are any indication, overall participation may exceed last year’s record numbers.

There were 186 attendees on the first day of camp this year, Monday, July 9, including about 50 workers and 136 campers, according to organizer Ragan Riley, and on Tuesday, July 10, they served lunch to 187 people, including the staff and volunteers, added program director Mindy Ary.

“We are averaging around 130 campers a day,” said Ary.

In 2017, the highest daily attendance was 122 campers, and was recorded on the second day of camp. 

“Camp started off very well,” said Riley. “We did not have to turn anyone away, and we are still accepting campers.”

Activities planned for the first week included a Monday morning swimming ability test, a walking tour of Albany on Tuesday, a visit by local policemen on Wednesday, an interview with Dan Key to make a “newspaper” on Thursday, and a trip to the Albany Volunteer Fire Department on Friday.

“We are asking for parents to bring water and Gatorade this Friday morning when they drop off their children,” said Riley. “We are hoping to take the donations with us when we go to the fire station, and contribute those to the Albany VFD water and Gatorade drive.”

Day camp will continue every weekday for three weeks, ending on Friday, July 27. 

Daily Activities

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

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.

“This year the three to six-year-old children have their own swim time in the pool in the mornings,” said Riley. “That seems to be working 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.

From Monday, July 16, to Friday, July 20, the participants will attend the Community Vacation Bible School at Friendship Baptist Church each morning from 9:30-11:45 a.m.

At the end of the day, children kindergarten 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.” 

“We are still in need of more donations of sunscreen,” added Riley.

For more information, or to register a child, contact the Resource Center at 762-2447.