Summer camp kicks off at rec center
If you want your child to attend summer camp at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center this summer, you may have to want a couple weeks.
The first three weeks of the traditional camp have sold out, meaning that the next available week to attend is July 4 week. Meanwhile, the teen camp sold out the first week, which is a rarity, and there are only a few openings the next couple weeks.
For those who attended the first week of camp, it was five days loaded with things to do, from taking hikes to playing kickball, to taking in a magic show.
Jesse Zukaitis, traditional camp director, said the first few days went great, and they had a full 90 kids at camp.
“We have a lot of younger kids who have aged into camp, which has helped. We’ve had a few kids come from other locations, but we also have people who didn’t know we had camp or even knew we were here who have come,” Zukaitis said.
Traditional camp on the first week featured a dress-up day, trips to the community pool three times a week, arts and crafts, group games and more.
Moving forward, there will be scheduled field trips, including three next week, with one to Southern Fresh Farms at Jet Blue Park. Members of the Fort Myers Miracle will be speaking to the kids, who will return the favor and go to Century Link Sports Complex for Big Splash, where the kids get wet and take in a baseball game.
Zukaitis said the remaining five weeks are about half full, but tend to fill up as the weeks approach.
Teen camp, which has had a tougher time filling up, saw its first week fill up nicely, with 40 youths participating. Tiffany Vance, who runs the teen camp with Stafford Milligan, said the first week was spent breaking the ice.
“We’re getting to know everybody this week. We’ll be doing cleanup on Boca Beach as our community service project and to Hertz Arena and Lakes Park for field trips, as well as Sun Splash,” Vance said. “We’re excited more people are coming to our center. The more who know about us the more opportunity there is for growth.”
The end of the year will feature cookouts, a talent show and the Cardboard Regatta, one of the signature events, which will take place at the end of week three, on June 28.
“The word is getting out. People didn’t know we were here before. We have the signs up and social media, but they don’t realize until they see us,” Vance said. “The community is growing.”
For more information on Lee County summer camps, visit www.leegov.com/parks/programs/summer.