Parks and Recreation Accepting Applications for Summer Playground

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STAUNTON, VA (02/16/2010)(readMedia)-- The Staunton Recreation and Parks Department begins accepting Summer Playground registrations on March 1st at 8 am at Montgomery Hall Park Irene Given Administration Building. There are no stipulations about residency as camp placements are on a first-come first-serve basis. "We always have a full program but we expect that we will have a waiting list earlier than usual based on our recent inquiries", said Jennifer Jones, Superintendent of Recreation. Summer Playground is split into three sites that are separated according to age. All the sites are located within the parks system and have exceptional amounts of outdoor space and amenities. "Parents are looking for what we deliver; low staff to child ratios; mature and very experienced staff, a focus on outdoor play and nature, weekly field trips, enrichment, physical activity, special events, structure and discipline" said Jones. One parent (Beth Lawler) put it best, "My chilldren are in the the Recreation Department's afterschool HEART program and they love HEART and we love the staff this is why we choose Staunton Recreation's Summer Playground Program".

The Summer Playground Program has a reputation of cramming a lot of activity into one day. Greg Culpen, a parent with children in the program says, "My children were worn down at the end of the day and that was especially true on swimming days. They always look forward to going to camp the next day and they love all the activities and field trips". The summer mornings consist of outdoor free play and swimming or skating. The afternoons offer everything from cooking and chess, to archery, to flag football to hiking to creative writing. The campers choose the activities that they will participate in the afternoon during Summer Playground.

The Summer Playground 2010 program fee has been set at $80/week. There is a significant discount if the entire 8 week program is paid in advance of June 1st. The Summer Playground theme for 2010 is "Getting Back to Nature Again". Interested parents are encouraged to log on to the City's website @ www.staunton.va.us > click on recreation> click on summer playground on the sidebar. These videos and pictures are a very accurate depiction of entire Summer Playground program. A downloadable registration packet is also available.

All children deserve a great summer camp experience. Church organizations and other individuals able to sponsor a disadvantaged child to Summer Playground 2010 are encouraged call the Staunton Recreation and Parks Department at 540.332.3945.

The Summer Playground Program is an anchor program of the Staunton Recreation Department. The structure of the program is in direct line with the department's mission of promoting physical activity and reducing obesity in children. The Staunton Parks and Recreation Department, The City's Front Porch: Recreate and Live Better.