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2 Oh, to be a kid at camp THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2012 Approximately 1,000 happy local area kids will enjoy the summer camps being offered by the Town at two Acton locations this summer ­ everything from sports to crafts to eco-adventures to outdoor adventures ­ there is something for all ages and all interests. Three camps each week are offered in Acton ­ one at the Boathouse in Prospect Park and two at the Acton arena/ community centre (ACC). One of the most popular camps for eight-to-12 year-olds so far this summer, has been the studio art camp offered at the ACC. Participants also make three visits to the Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre in Glen Williams, to learn the fundamentals of watercolour, painting, drawing and clay sculpturing. "The kids actually make a mask ­ they do a plaster of their own face and then design a mask. This was offered in week one and it was awesome ­ it was a highlight of that week," ECO CAMPERS: The spotlight was on the ecology at the Town's Eco-Camp, offered earlier this month at the Acton arena/community centre. Camp leader Megan (right) and camper Kealan, both of Acton, shared a special bond. ­ Submitted photo said Jennifer Ancona, the Town's recreation co-ordinator for children and youths. It will be offered again during Week five ­ July 30 to August 3. Week six ­ August 7 to 10 ­ at ACC is skateboard camp, Week seven ­ August 13 to 17 ­ is Sports Adventure Camp and during Week eight ­ August 20 to 24 ­ the camp offered is Girls' Week Out, a program that promotes having fun, trying new and different activities, developing friendships, building self-esteem, makeovers, jewellery-making and games. Participants will also swim twice during the week. "Registration in Acton has been pretty good this summer ­ we've had some very full weeks, but still have openings in the Acton camps," Ancona said, noting they average between 30 and 50 kids a week the two camps at the ACC. She said they usually have 14 kids at each tyke camp ­ with a one leader to seven camper ratio ­ and could go as high as 21 campers at the Boathouse, if there was the demand. The ratio at the other camps for older kids is one leader to 10 campers. For kids aged eight to 14, there are a variety of camps offered at the ACC ­ usually one generic camp and one specialty camp each week. "Along with the art camp we have a skateboard camp that is geared to beginners and experienced boarders, and we offer an eco camp, a science camp and ball hockey," Ancona said. "The generic camp is the Summer Fun Centre which is a mixture of sports, crafts, games themed weeks and we go swimming twice each week and there is also a bus trip," Ancona said, noting that the trips include visits to Canada's Wonderland, the Ontario Science Centre, African Lion Safari, Toronto Zoo, Royal Ontario Museum and Rinx in Toronto, which offers all kinds of in-door sports activities. For tykes ­ four to six years olds ­ the fun includes two camps including a Sports Camp and Hullabaloo. The Sports program introduces kids to a variety of s & Caroline e m a J Bell Acton Golf Club 4955 Dublin Line 1-888-833-8787 x 327 45 Anniversary th July 27, 2012 sports with the emphasis on fun and safe learning. "They use tyke-appropriate equipment and the kids learn the basics of basketball, soccer, baseball and more, learning new skills," Ancona said, adding they also mixed in crafts, songs, games and several visits to the Superior Glove splash pad. The Tiny Tykes Sports Camp is offered again during Week seven ­August 13 to 17. Also at the Boathouse, the Town offers tyke Hullabaloo ­ a mix of crafts, songs, games, sports and visits to the splash pad. Each week is themed including the Olympics, Around the World, When I grow up..., Back in Time and Colour Splash. Hullabaloo will be offered again during week four ­ July 23 to 27, and week five ­ July 30 to August 3. The camps are staffed by leaders who have 35 hours of training including First Aid, CPR, the principles of childhood development, positive child management techniques and creative program design. There are Assistant Co-ordinators at each location. Parents will receive a handbook outlining Town policies and procedures and one the first day of each camp, parents or caregivers will receive a newsletter detailing specific activities planned for the week. Registration can be done online at www.haltonhills.ca or applications can be picked up at the Civic Centre, the library and the arena. Registrations must be in before noon on the Thursday prior to the first day of the camp. The approximate weekly cost for each program, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., is $160, and for $51 a week, extended hours, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., are available. Anyone with kids with special needs is asked to call the Town at 905873-2601, ext. 2275 to discuss options, and any kids needing medication must have a form signed by their caregiver/parent. All of the programs are listed in the Town's Spring/Summer brochure and are on line at www. haltonhills.ca