Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
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“The kids in our summer day camp program do many different things at the YMCA and take a lot of neat trips,” said Tommy Hodges, chief executive officer of the Finch Y. “Basically, it is a summer full of fun, new friendships and learning important life lessons.”
The fun begins June 9 and continues on weekdays through Aug. 19. Registration is by the week and fees are somewhat cheaper for Y members. The last week (Aug. 18-19) is for Monday and Tuesday only, allowing the children to get ready for school the rest of the week.
“We stay really busy during the summer day-camp days,” said Laura Daut, director of child care for the YMCA, located at 1010 Mendenhall St. “We’re using a lot of the 40 acres that we have here, doing archery, canoeing, active games, crafts and devotion time. The kid’s day starts at 7:30 and we go on until 6, and we want them to get us much as they can out of their day.”
Daut noted that participating children could be brought to the Y as early as 6:30 a.m.
The three groups are Dyno-Mytes, Trailblazers and Explorers. Dyno-Mytes range in age from 5 to 7, but they must have already completed kindergarten. The Trailblazers range in age from 7 to 9, however, to be in this group, one must have turned 7 by March 31. Those entering the sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth grades are eligible to participate with the Explorers.
“I think it’s important for them to have that time to be active, rather than sitting at home watching TV or playing video games,” Daut said of the Explorers. “When I was that age I didn’t have the opportunity to go white-water rating or to Carowinds with a group of people my age.”
Breakfast and lunch will be provided to the day-campers, at no additional charge, at Thomasville Middle School, most of the time. On days that the school cafeteria is closed, campers must bring a bag lunch. An afternoon snack is provided by the Y.
“A couple of times, throughout the summer, we’ll do an overnight, including a pool party,” said Jarrod Dunbar, the Y’s assistant director of child care. “It’s always on a Saturday night, so the parents can, maybe, go out and not have to worry about a baby sitter.”
During the overnights, children would be sleeping in two separate rooms; one for the boys and the other for the girls. Needless to say, there will be plenty of supervision for all summer camp activities. The staff has at least 30 members and enrollment for the camps will be limited to 210 children. All staff members are CPR and first aid certified. They also carry walkie-talkies so that they can communicate with each other, no matter where they are — inside or outside — on the 40-acre site.
“The two older camps will spend the majority of their time outside,” Dunbar said. “We’re going to have some big industrial fans that will cool things off a bit, and we’ll have canoeing and other activities on the pond.”
Twice a week, each camp will have some private time at the city pool. The Y will provide swimming lessons to campers at its own pool for an additional charge.
Other activities the camp provides are horseback riding, visiting local nursing homes, a Hi-Toms game and many day trips to significant tourist spots.
“The Y is a wonderful place to work,” Daut said. “The people we work with and the kids we work with make it a very fulfilling job.”
Daut has been working at the Finch Y for about 10 years, while Dunbar has been there off and on for about six. Both started out there as counselors.
“Some of the kids who I remember working with in my earlier days have come back here and applied for jobs,” Dunbar said. “It’s a very beneficial job. The more you put into it, the more you are going to get out of it.
More detailed information on the Finch Y’s summer camp program can be picked up at the Y or by calling the Y at 475-6125.
Staff Writer Kevin Reid can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 230, or at reid@tvilletimes.com.