“Summer camps have filled up quickly this year and waiting lists are running long as families look for activities to keep kids engaged.

“‘The six summer camps at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park are maxed out,’ lead educator Katie Weber said. ‘There’s a summer camp for various themes—from arts, science and forensic science to tech, sports and nature,’ she said.

“‘Because of COVID, Turtle Bay day camps were split into two cohorts and are actually accepting more kids than in previous years,’ Weber said. She said she also has noticed a lot more people wanted to get into camp this year as well.

“‘The waiting list has gotten so long that the park had to stop accepting names,’ she said.

“Community organizations are taking precautions to protect the health of children in summer camp by keeping group sizes small, maintaining social distance and following the mask mandate.

“‘Some organizations prepared alternative sites as well because of concern about fire danger,’ said Denise Villanueva, a program director at Shasta Family YMCA.

“‘Local organizations are providing activities to enrich and bring mentorship to kids who are looking for ways to have fun this summer,’ said Villanueva.

“‘Enrollment in summer camp programs at the YMCA, too, has spiked,’ she said.

“At Camp HOPE America, youth are taught pathways to hope and confidence in self and others.” – Michael Burke, Executive Director of Pathways to Hope for Children.

 

At Camp Hope America, youth are taught pathways to hope and confidence in self and others.

“‘A total of 72 children from Shasta County will head north near Etna for Camp Hope in July. Children joining Camp HOPE [America] are nominated by Pathways to Hope’s case workers, therapists and community agencies,’ said Patty Price, Pathways to Hope’s associate director. ‘They have experienced domestic violence, verbal abuse, or trauma and receive support at camp through mentors and high adventure activities like river rafting, horseback riding and archery,’ Price said. ‘Counselors and staff will be either vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID,’ Price said.”

 

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