Plan Ahead for Great Summer Camp Opportunities

by Teresa Gillotti

What is a kid to do in Riverwest this summer? Actually, there are quite a few activities to choose from, whether it’s enjoying the Splash Pad at Gordon Park, playing in playgrounds sprinkled throughout the neighborhood, or participating in more structured summer camps and events. Over the past few years parents and children have benefited from the prevalence of MPS Summer School and Wraparound programs. But with the changes from the No Child Left Behind Act, fewer MPS schools will be able to provide the day long educational and recreation package. Not to worry, many Riverwest and Harambee schools, neighborhood agencies, and organizations are offering day camps and summer enrichment programs for curious youth and for parents looking for positive experiences for their children during the day. Below is a list of programs with contact information listed at the end. This is not an exhaustive list of summer youth programs in the area; if you know any that are not listed, please contact editor@riverwestcurrents.org for inclusion in next month’s Currents. DAY CAMPS Goldin Summer Day Camp at COA Youth & Family Centers Ages served: 7-10 Time served: 9 am-3 pm (before and after childcare from 7 am-5 pm at an additional hourly fee per child) Dates: Session 1: June 30-July 18 (no program July 4) for Outdoor Camp Kid Challenge Session 2: July 21-August 8 for Artastic Voyage (Performing and Visual Arts) Session 3: August 11-29 for Nuttier Professor (Hands on Science Program) Fees: Thanks to the generosity of the Goldin Family Foundation and Riverwest Fights Back, fees are based on income and range from $10 to $30 per week. Childcare is available (from 7-9 am and/or 3-5 pm) at $7/hr per child. Details: Youth may participate in one or more sessions of the Goldin Camp. Each session has a different focus but all include field trips. Contact COA or stop by for full details. Camp Helen Brachman on the shores of Pickerel Lake, provided by COA Youth & Family Centers Ages Served: 8-15 Time Served: Around the clock camp experience Dates: Session 1: Sunday, June 22-July 2 Session 2: Saturday, July 5-July 15 Session 3: Friday, July 18-July 28 Fees: Fees are based on income and range from $50 to $600 for ten full days of fun. Because of the generosity of COA donors and the United Way, no camper will be turned away due to his or her family’s inability to pay. Details: COA’s Camp Helen Brachman is located on 220 beautiful acres on the shores of Pickerel Lake, less than 300 miles from Milwaukee. Camp fees include transportation, food, lodging and all activities. Campers will learn and grow together as they share a number of activities including swim lessons, arts and crafts, camp fires, basketball, and much more! Our “older campers” stay in the teen village enjoying all of camp as well as a three-day, two-night wilderness camping experience! To receive an information packet or get more information, contact COA. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to register. Y Day Camps at Holton Youth Center Kiddie Camp: Ages 5-6 Summer Adventure Camp: Ages 7-9 High Adventure Camp: Ages 10-12 Summer Sports Camp: Ages 7-12 Teen Camp: Ages 12-15 Time served: Before Care: 7-8 am; Day Camp 8:30 am-4:30 pm; After Care: 4:30 pm-6 pm Dates: June 16-August 22 Fees: YMCA Members: $145/week; Community Participant: $156/week; Before/After Care: Free; Late Pickup Fee: $1/minute; Late Payment Fee: $25 Details: High Adventure Camp, Summer Sports Camp and Teen Camp feature a different focus each! Sign up for a single or multiple weeks. Contact the YMCA Holton Youth Center or stop by for full details. Day Camp registration forms are now available. Camp Gaenslen at Gaenslen School Ages served: 5-12 Time served: 7 am-6 pm Dates: June 23-August 15 Fees: Free Details: While not a summer school program, Camp Gaenslen offers reading and math enrichment programs in addition to fun and games, a weekly fieldtrip, and use of the school’s swimming pool. Breakfast, lunch and a snack will also be provided. Flyers will be available after spring break at the school or call for more details. Poetry Camp at Woodland Pattern Ages served: Youth entering grades 6-12 Time served: 9 am-3:30 pm Dates: June 23-27 Fees: Call for information Details: Not your average day camp, this program is in conjunction with the Talent Search Program at UWM. Stop by Woodland Pattern for a flyer and more information or call the contact below. Afternoon Program at Aurora Weier Educational Center Ages served: Call for details Time served: 1-4 pm Dates: Call for details Fees: Free Details: This program features field trips to area attractions, swimming, and sports activities. This program is filled on a first come, first served basis. Call or stop by for more information. Pierce Community Learning Center (CLC) at Pierce School Ages served: 6-12 Time served: tentatively 10 am-4 pm Dates: June 23-August 1 Fees: Free Details: The morning program will feature some academic games and activities, while afternoons will consist of recreational programs and field trips. Lunch will be provided. Call or stop by for more information. Predom (Pre-Teen Freedom at COA Youth and Family Center) and Teen Program at Youth and Family Center Ages served: 11-13 attend between 1-5 pm; 14-18 attend between 1-10 pm Dates: Call for details Fees: Call for details Details: Both these programs cater to older youth and feature entrepreneurship programs, adventure programs, computer lab, open gym, and so much more. Call or stop by for more information. ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS Arte de mi Barrio at Aurora Weier Educational Center Ages served: Call for details Time served: 9 am-11 am on Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays & Thursdays (2 sessions) Dates: Call for details Fees: Free Details: This programs features percussion instrument class and art instruction by a noted Hispanic Artist. This program is filled on a first come, first served basis. Call for more information. Peacemakers Camp Ages served: Youth in Grades 1-5 Time served: 8:30 am-1 pm Dates: July 14-18 Fees: Call for details Details: The theme for this year’s Peacemakers camp is “Peace is Possible.” The day camp features games, crafts, speakers and more all focused on the theme of Peace. Call to have a flyer with more information sent to you. Tutoring at St. Philip’s Ages served: Students in grades from Kindergarten to Grade 12 Time served: Tutors available from 1-4 pm each Thursday Dates: Starting June 5 Fees: Free Details: No need to register. Interested students may walk in and register upon arrival. Students should bring a note from a teacher and current book(s) and/or assignments. Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) at YMCA Holton Youth Center Ages served: 11-17 Time served: Sundays, 6 pm-8 pm Dates: Ongoing through September Fees: Free Details: Various community service projects will be held in and around the neighborhood on Saturdays. Call or stop by for more details. Y Teen Action Council at YMCA Holton Youth Center Ages served: Teens Time served: Meet twice monthly at times determined by participating teens Dates: Ongoing Fees: Free Details: Interested in helping to make decisions about teen programming, space availability and hours for teen programs at Holton Youth Center? Get involved in discussing topics and issues concerning teens in our community. Call or stop by for more details. Piano Lessons at St. Phillip’s Ages served: Call for details Time served: 30-minute lessons are scheduled between 10 am-1 pm on Thursdays Dates: Starting June 5 Fees: Free Details: Lessons are free and open to all from beginner to advanced. Call or stop by to sign up. CONTACT INFORMATION

• COA Youth & Family Center – 909 E North Ave. – Contact: Kari Franciskovic 263-8383 ext. 138
• YMCA Holton Youth Center – 510 E. Burleigh St. – Contact: Robb West 264-9622
• Friends Meeting Center – 3224 N. Gordon Place – Contact: Janet Hilliker 777-1799
• Woodland Pattern Book Center – 720 E. Locust St. – Contact: Peter Whalen 263-5001
• St. Phillip’s – Corner of Chamber & Holton – Contact: 263-7614
• Aurora Weier Education Center – 2669 N. Richards St. – Contact: 562-8398
• Gaenslen CLC – 1250 E. Burleigh St. – Contact: Jane Marullo 940-6746
• Pierce CLC – 2765 N. Fratney St. – Contact: Lisa Manvilla 267-4444

Riverwest Currents – Volume 2 – Issue 5 – May 2003
by Teresa Gillotti