May 31, 2004 – The school year is almost over and parents are turning their attention to choosing a fun and safe program for their children to take part in during summer break. For the second year in a row, the Sunny Isle Shopping Center management teamed up with Sen. Ronald Russell, chair of the Senate Education and Youth Committee, to hold a one-stop-shopping expo for summer camp activities.
Summer camps offering sports training, arts and crafts, academic reinforcement and more were represented at the expo, held on Saturday in the shopping center plaza.
Parents browsed through information and listened as camp organizers touted the advantages of their particular programs. Children tagged along collecting balloons, pens, promotional bags and other give-aways. Many agreed that the expo provided a good opportunity to evaluate what's available in the way of summer programs.
The Housing, Parks and Recreation Department is offering a sports program to provide youngsters ages 7 to 15 training in basketball, baseball, boxing and volleyball. The same program also has steelpan instruction and a computer lab. Ophelia Jackson, department deputy commissioner, said the program was first offered last year and was a great success.
Some students don't need academic enrichment over the summer, Jackson said, but children who participate in summer sports program are "physically stronger and mentally prepared" for another school year when classes resume in the fall.
The Little Buddies summer program caters to toddlers and elementary school children. The program includes swimming, bowling and sign language lessons as well as math and English tutoring. The children participate in cultural field trips and learn sewing and modern dance.
Most programs serve hot lunches. Some have scholarships assistance available.
Following is a list of the programs represented in the summer camp expo.
– Beeston Hill Wesleyan Holiness Church Summer camp – June 21 to July 30. Call 773-1017.
– Boys and Girls Club Summer Sun Summer Camp – June 21 to Aug. 6. Call 778-8990.
– Church of God Holiness Academy Summer Reinforcement Program – June 21 to July 30. Call 773-8740.
– Danica Art Gallery Creative Adventure Summer Art Program – June 21 to July 30. Call 719-6000 or 773-4912.
– Discover St. Croix Summer Camp – four sessions July – August. Call 772-0598.
– Housing Parks and Recreation Department Summer Sports Program – six weeks beginning June 21. Call 773-0271.
– Juan F. Luis Hospital Asthma Camp. Call -778-6311, ext. 2182.
– Life and Light Summer Camp – June 14 to July 30. Call 778-3343.
– LBDC Professional Institute – computer courses for students ages 2 to18. Call 778-0660.
– Little Buddies Development Center Summer Camp – six to 10 weeks beginning June 14. Call 778-0660.
– Police Athletic League Summer Program – July 1 to Aug. 15. Call 778-2211.
– Prankton United Sports Club Youth Soccer Training Camp – June 21 to July 30. Call 778-5172.
– Sunflower Summer Fun Splash Camp – June 21 to Aug. 1. Call 772-2881 or 772-4812.
– Youth With a Promise Summer Camp – June 21 to Aug. 6. (Phone number not available.)
For more information on any of these summer camps, call the Sunny Isle Shopping Center office at 778-5830.
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