Longview Parks and Recreation summer camps are in high demand, while offering slightly fewer openings compared to pre-COVID levels due to staffing and space restraints.
Enrollment at Longview Parks and Recreation summer camps — which feature activities like tie dyeing, woodworking, cooking and gardening — filled within minutes this spring, which was an anomaly, according to Longview Parks and Recreation Manager Justin Brown.
“The response to registration was unprecedented this year,” he said.
Typically, spots fill up around the first week of camp, with some children choosing to attend weekly instead of for the entire two to three months. This year, campers filled spots in 15 minutes and are attending through the programs’ durations, Brown said.
He said camps provide child care options for working families during the summer when school is out, as well as a safe, fun place for children to experience recreational activities.
Nearly 76 local children are signed up to enjoy outdoor activities, guest speakers, and arts and crafts at camps this summer, including 22 in an inaugural program for middle school-aged students. Two camps kicked off June 20, while the third camp, which allows drop-ins, starts July 11. All the camps run through Aug. 19.
Summer Kids Day Camp kicked off June 20 and provides day camp for 54 first through fifth graders at the Elks Memorial Building on Kessler Boulevard, Longview Women’s Club building on 21st Avenue and Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Kessler Boulevard.
Brown said the camp had been held in Longview School District buildings, which provided slightly more space, but it had to be moved this year due to renovations and summer school at the sites. Brown said the department is working to open more spots in the future despite space and staff constraints.
Pathfinder, a new day camp for sixth through eighth graders, also started last week. A $50,000 state grant helped to form the camp for youth who have aged out of most child care options.
A Parks and Recreation report says 9,338 children joined the department last year through before- and after-school programs, and camps during winter, spring and summer breaks.
