DARMSTADT, Germany - Kids are having a ball, literally and figuratively, at Darmstadt's School-Age Services summer camp.
The camp, which is supplemented by visiting Camp Adventure counselors, is already well into its third week of activities. Seven-year-old Keanu Alvarado is enjoying his first year at summer camp. "I get to make stuff, and do experiments," he said.
His favorite activity at camp' "Bowling," he said.
The first bowling afternoon was June 19. Campers will have other bowling days spread throughout the summer, in addition to swimming at Rebstock Schwimmbad, sports and fitness games, barbecues and trips to Holiday Park, Mainz Volkspark, the Frankfurt Zoo, LochmAfA1/4hle and Phantasialand.
According to Gary Gill, the project coordinator for Camp Adventure, summer camp makes it easy and safe for kids to have a good time during their vacation. "All they have to do is come to camp every day with an imagination, an open mind, and be ready to have fun and learn," he said.
Parents have the opportunity to enjoy camp as well. Every Friday they are invited to a barbecue with the campers where the youth can show off the games and activities they learned that week.
Gabrielle Hamil, 12, said she is enjoying her second year at summer camp.
"You get to do something different in the summer. You get to meet new friends, new people, and hopefully some old people come back that you know," she said.
Her favorite part of camp last year was traveling to the amusement parks with Camp Adventure counselors.
The counselors are college students or recent graduates, most with an interest in education. Some counselors are in their second or third year working with Camp Adventure and military children.
Jake Spacek, the middle school/teen director for the camp, is working at his third camp, having previously served as a Camp Adventure counselor in Naples, Italy and Yokosuka, Japan. His favorite part of summer camp is "Being able to hang out with the kids and just have fun with them all day."
Summer camp registration is ongoing, on a weekly basis. "Mom or Dad go to the Child and Youth Liaison Education and Outreach Services registration office, and they can sign them up for whatever weeks they would like," according to Ingrid Ruffo, Darmstadt's Child and Youth Services coordinator.
All summer camp programs include activities that encompass the Child and Youth Services, Boys and Girls Club of America and Character Counts programming guidelines, just like the activities offered during the school year.
For more information on how to register your child for Darmstadt's
School-Age Services summer camp, call DSN 348-6304, civilian 06151-69-7605.
For information on other summer activities for youth in the Darmstadt community, log on to www.darmstadt.army.mil.
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