Summer is here, and so are summer day camps!
Throughout the Southeast, a variety of organizations and communities are offering opportunities for kids to make the most of the season, while supporting families along the way.
City of Steinbach day camps
Daniel Taillefer, recreation services coordinator for the City of Steinbach, says seven themed camps are planned this year, including a sports camp, adventure camp, and survivor camp.
"There's something different for everyone," he says. "There's a lot of outdoor activities. Also, each week, we go to the (Steinbach) Aquatic Centre, so that's always a highlight."
Taillefer notes some spots are available, but spaces are filling quickly.
"Everyone's kind of in summer mode and looking for summer plans," he says adding around 20 to 25 kids are estimated to partake in each session.
Find more information about the City of Steinbach's day camps at Steinbach.ca.
Steinbach Arts Council day camps
Kristi Peters, community program assistant at the Steinbach Arts Council (SAC), says the organization is hosting eight camps this year—the most it has ever offered—with around 350 registrants expected.
"We really wanted to give the opportunity for everyone to be able to register if they wanted to, so we opened up more space in our camps that are full," she says.
Peters says several new features have been added this year, including weekly field trips and clinics.
"We have Prairie Exotics coming out to do a reptile presentation one week of camp; the kids are going to the Mennonite Heritage Village, (and) we have Cloud 9 Ranch bringing some horses to one of the camps," she says.
Find more information about the Steinbach Arts Council's day camps at Steinbacharts.ca.
Town of Niverville day camps
Over in the Town of Niverville, Teresa Mistelbacher, supervisor of recreation, says lots of day camp favourites are returning alongside new additions.
"We added a pirates and mermaid theme for our kinder kids, and an engineering-based program called 'Machines in Motion,'" she says. "Then we've got Myth Busters, which I am really excited for."
She says they are also offering a full daycare option as part of the town's kinder camps.
Registration has been open for several months, so some programs have filled, or are almost full, with more than 300 registrants.
Find more information about the Town of Niverville's day camps at Nivervillerec.ca.
Summer day camps in the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie
Ian Dickey, the Rural Municipality (RM) of La Broquerie's leisure services program lead, says eight camps are running this season.
"We have a different theme each week of the summer. So we have things like Outdoor Adventure Week, Animal Safari Week, Art Week, Sports Week, Kids in the Kitchen Week, Performing Arts Week, and Amazing Race Week," he says.
Spaces are filling up quickly, but there are still some spots available.
Dickey says they are expecting between 20 and 40 campers per week.
Find more information about the RM of La Broquerie's day camps at Labroquerie.com.
Why summer day camps matter
Taillefer says summer day camps are a valuable way for children to enjoy summer break.
"It just gives an opportunity for kids to enjoy summer with their friends or possibly meet new friends," he says. "You're outside, you're playing games all day...we always think that's very important for kids and kind of the highlight for them."
He adds that camps also have a positive impact on families, a sentiment Mistelbacher shares.
"We all know that childcare, especially for school age kids, can be a little bit hard to come by in our growing areas. This is a great option for families," she says.
Peters agrees, noting day camps are not only fun, but also provide a safe and reliable option for families.
"This is just a really good opportunity for parents to be able to send their kids somewhere where they're safe, and not have to worry about having to find a babysitter if they work full time," she says.
"We really love being able to provide that option for parents: Being a safe and fun place they can send their kids for the summer."
Other day camps in the Southeast
A wide range of day camps are being offered throughout the Southeast, and residents are encouraged to check with local organizations and communities for programming in their area.
In the RM of Hanover, culinary, adventure, and spy themed camps are just a few of the options being provided.
Communities in the RM of Richot are also offering day camps, with some spots available in Ste. Adolphe, Grande Pointe, Ile des Chênes, and Ste, Agathe.
Spy science, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and sports camps will also be hosted in the RM of Taché.