Sign up for FREE Reach & Rise Summer Day Camps!

Dear Elyrians, I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Spring day.  And as we approach this warmer weather and think about summer, if you have school-age children please make sure you take full advantage of the City’s second annual Reach & Rise Discovery Camps. Registration is now open through our Parks and Recreation Department, and the camps are filling up fast.  Up to 940 of Elyria’s children and youth ages 6-17 will be offered an opportunity to attend free of charge 12 week-long Reach and Rise Summer Day Camps between June 10 – August 16 at Elyria’s public parks.

I credit the City’s 15 community programming partners and 9 funding partners for making the camps possible.  Because of their support, there is something of interest for every child or youth in our community – with a wide range of topics that infuse fun with challenging academics, music, arts, sports and leadership concepts.  Our partners bring their best programming and personnel to the table and together we build on our strengths to create a remarkable, one-of-a-kind summer camp experience unique to Elyria.       

Those organizations taking the lead in the community to make the 12 camps possible in 2013 include: the City of Elyria Parks and Recreation Department, Elyria Firefighters, Elyria City Schools, the Elyria Public Library, the Lorain County MetroParks, the Lorain County Urban League, the Elyria Chapter of the NAACP, the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lorain County, the Elyria YWCA, Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (LCADA), NASA, Horizon Activity Centers, Save Our Children, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Neighborhood Alliance. 

Funders of the Partnership include: BASF Corporation ($10,000), 3M Corporation ($5,000), Republic Services ($5,000), K.E. McCartney & Associates ($2,500), Environmental Rate Consultants ($2,500), NASA ($11,144), Elyria Charities ($5,000), Nordson Corporation Foundation ($10,000), Nord Family Foundation ($10,000), Friends of Cascade ($1,500), Members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and other  individual donors ($6,400).  A total of $69,000 in private philanthropic support will fund the camps in 2013.   

The camps are playing an important role in generating excitement, interest and motivation about learning; promoting healthy living through fun physical, outdoor activities and good nutrition; promoting responsibility, positive behavior, and character development and building leadership and team skills.  Moreover, the camps provide children and youth with safe, supervised environments complete with caring adult supervision and nutritious meals.     

 All camp participants are offered breakfast snacks, a nutritious lunch through the Elyria Schools’ sponsored USDA Summer Feeding Program, and an afternoon snack.  A Reach and Rise Discovery Camp Supervisor  and 12 paid counselors who are teachers, teachers in training or caring adults and college students with successful experience working with children are hired after being screened through criminal background checks and training for safety, health and subject content areas.  The child/youth to adult ration is 1-8, with enrollment of 80 participants at most camps. 

Most camps run from 8:30am – 4:00pm, with an extended day option until 5:30 to accommodate working parents.  For some of the younger children that would tire with a full day, two three-hour-long mini camps have been added this year.  Swimming has been built in again this year as a component to all camps to give children and youth who may not live close to one of Elyria’s two open pools an opportunity to learn about water safety and swim.  Participants are bussed to East or North Recreation Centers to enjoy the pools, thanks to a discounted rate offered by the school districts’ First Student bus service.  Another addition this year is more programming aimed at older youth.

Because parents of younger children enrolled in last year’s camps were so pleased with the programming, we expanded the camps to accommodate their older brothers and sisters.  As a result, in 2013 there is more programming aimed at middle schoolers and older youth.  Thanks to NASA and local foundation support we will be offering three NASA STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) camps that combine academics with fun MARS and Moon exploration and rocketry problem-solving activities.  Programming for older youth also includes a camp that explores Lorain County,  two camps that focus on team and leadership building and two basketball camps.  Younger campers ages 6-12 can choose camps that build on their interests in arts, music, science, nature, sports and more. 

All camps include other common characteristics including programming that addresses character education, esteem building, respect, leadership, teamwork, perseverance and encouragement.  Most camps also have field trips built into their schedules to provide a culminating experience to each camp experience based on content.    

Registration for the camps began in April through the Elyria Parks & Recreation Department, The Elyria Schools and partnering nonprofit organizations and will run through May.  Residents can register between 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday on the first floor of Elyria City Hall in the Elyria Parks and Recreation Department main office at 131 Court Street in downtown Elyria.  Registration forms are available online at the City’s website at www.cityofelyria.org, at the Elyria Public Library main or branch offices, or through any of the 15 program partners.  For more information regarding the camps, call Elyria Parks and Recreation Supervisor Annette Solet at 326-1503.  Registration is first come, first serve and is open to Elyria residents.  Families are asked to make a first and second choice and every attempt will be made to comply with the preference. 

2013 ELYRIA REACH AND RISE DISCOVERY CAMPS

Reach and Rise Sports and Healthy Living Camp (Boys & Girls Ages 6-12)

• June 10-14, 2013
• West Park Recreation Center and West Park
• 8:30am – 4:00pm (extended pick up available until 5:30pm)
• Activities: Mini Swim skill and open swim Tuesday and Thursday at North Park, Soccer Instruction, Archery, Flag football, T-ball and Physical Fitness Challenge/Try a Sport Day (Parks & Recreation Staff), Zumba, Nutrition Education (Girl Scout), Survival Challenge (Lorain County MetroParks), Basketball and Golf (Elyria Chapter NAACP), Book Mobile Thursday (Elyria Public Library). “Reach out Now”, Healthy Lifestyles (LACADA)
• Camp Field date TBD, Crushes Stadium, Avon, OH

 Description:  Children will enjoy fun sports, learn about and make healthy food choices and play and make new friends in this nurturing camp environment.  The focus is promoting healthy living and increasing physical activity through nutrition education and a host of physical activities.  Campers can try and/or build their skills in swimming, soccer, basketball, zumba, sand volleyball, golf, a Physical Fitness Challenge and a Survival Challenge. This unique combination of nutrition and fitness in a fun park setting will help promote childrens’ physical and mental health

 

Reach and Rise NASA Rocketry & Mars Exploration Camp (Boys & Girls Ages 6-12)

• June 24-28, 2013
• 8:30am – 4:00pm (extended pick up available until 5:30pm)
• South Park Recreation Center and South Park
• Mini Swim and Open Swim
• Camp Field Trip to Great Lakes Science Center Tuesday, June 25

Description: The Lorain County Urban League and the Elyria Parks & Recreation Department staff will present NASA Summer of Innovation Camp, taking young people on a week-long journey where they will explore Isaac Newton’s Laws through the wondrous world of rocketry.  Participants joining the project will learn to design, launch, re-design and re-launch a series of rockets giving them a better understanding of this exciting field and the importance of participating in STEM (Science, technology, Electronics and Math) subjects in school to prepare for the thousands of jobs being made available in this career market.  Participants will also have the opportunity to meet and talk with a real live NASA rocket scientist born and raised in Elyria, Ohio!   

 

Reach and Rise Environmental Science Camp (Boys and Girls Ages 6-12)

•  July 8-12, 2013
• Finwood Estate/North Park/Cascade Park Nature Center
• 8:30am – 4:00pm (extended pick up available until 5:30pm)
• Activities: Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Officer presentation, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Fishing Program (Parks & Recreation Staff), Birds of Prey visit (Lorain County MetroParks), Recyclable Art Craft (Girl Scouts), Healthy Water and Healthy People & Ohio Department of Natural Resources Project Wet Water Shed & Water Quality Education (Elyria Parks & Recreation Staff/Naturalist), and Open Swimming and Mini Swim Skill at North Park pool.
• Camp Field Trip:  Wednesday, July 7 to Republic Services Recycle Center & Friday, Lorain County Metro Parks Columbia Reservation Mammal Program and Nature Hike

Description: The Environmental Science Camp is based at Finwood Estate with wooded retreat, walking trails and stream.  The camp is designed by teachers and embraces the Ohio Revised Science Educational Standards and Model Curriculum. Children will develop a curiousity, love and appreciation for the natural world.  The five days are packed with fun, hands-on activities, hikes, field trips, experimentation, observation, prediction and reflection.  Curriculum content includes botany, biology, geology, hydrology, chemistry, and other natural science themes. 

 

Reach and Rise Music and Art Camp (Boys and Girls Ages 6-12)

• July 22-26
• East Recreation Center and East Park
• 8:30am – 4:00 (extended pick-up available until 5:30pm)
• Activities: Mini Swim Skill and open swim; Introduction to Tap, Ballet and Jazz (Elyria YWCA); Drama Theater with Puppet Craft (Elyria Public Library); Stitchery and Quilting (Elyria NAACP); Drumming (Girl Scouts); Mosaic Art, Arts and Crafts, Tie Dye T-Shirts (Elyria Parks and Recreation)
• Camp Field Trip: Lorain County MetroParks TrueNorth, date TBD

Description: After spending nine and a half months in a structured classroom environment, this camp is designed to give children and youth creative freedom.  The art, dance, music and theater activities are designed to promote creativity, teach responsibility, cooperation and courage - whether that means dancing on stage, reciting a monologue or creating a puppet character.   And even better, if the participants enjoy the activities, they can continue them into the year through the local organizations providing the activities over the summer.  

 

Reach and Rise Sports and Healthy Living Camp (Boys & Girls Ages 6-12)

• August 5-9, 2013
• South Park Recreation Center and South Park
• 8:30am – 4:00pm (extended pick up available until 5:30pm)
• Activities: Mini Swim skill and open swim Tuesday and Thursday at East Park, Tennis Instruction, Archery, Flag football, T-ball and Physical Fitness Challenge/Try a Sport Day (Parks & Recreation Staff), Zumba, Nutrition Education (Girl Scout), Survival Challenge (Lorain County MetroParks, Basketball and Golf (Elyria Chapter NAACP), Book Mobile Thursday (Elyria Public Library).
• Camp Field date TBD, Crushes Stadium, Avon, OH

Description:  Children will enjoy fun sports, learn about and make healthy food choices and play and make new friends in this nurturing camp environment.  The focus is promoting healthy living and increasing physical activity through nutrition education and a host of physical activities.  Campers can try and/or build their skills in swimming, soccer, basketball, Zumba, indoor volleyball, golf, a Physical Fitness Challenge and a Survival Challenge. This unique combination of nutrition and fitness in a fun park setting will help promote childrens’ physical and mental health.  

 

Reach and Rise Motivational/Leadership Basketball Camp (Boys Ages 13-17)

• July 15 – 19, 2013
• South Park Recreation Center and South Park
• 10:00am – 2:30pm
• Activities: Daily Skills Clinics (Area High School Coaches), Passport to Manhood Curriculum with Speakers (Boys and Girls Club and LACADA), Lunch, Basketball Games, NBA Player Meet and Greet, Awards Banquet, Cookout, Swimming

Description: This basketball camp has more than an athletic focus.  It weaves in the Boys and Girls Club of America’s Passport to Manhood curriculum to teach and promote responsibility, reinforce positive behavior and develop character in adolescent boys.  The passage from boyhood to manhood is challenging and this camp addresses critical issues that young men face related to ethics, decision making, wellness, fatherhood, employment and careers, cooperation and conflict, diversity, relationships and self-esteem. 

Reach and Rise Elyria Fire Fighters Basketball Camp (Boys & Girls Ages 10 – 13)

• July 29 – August 2, 2013
• South Park Recreation Center
• 11:30am – 1:00pm
• Activities: Skills training and character development activities
• Camp Field Trip for All Summer Campers All Camps August 16

Description: Designed to build one-on-one relationships, refine basketball skills in a fun, relaxed setting, and build character – this camp will be supervised exclusively by Elyria’s firefighters.  All participants in this camp take home their own, new basketball.      

 

NEW Camps for 2013

Reach & Rise STEM Exploring the Moon (Boys and Girls ages 11-14)

• June 17-June 21, 2013
• East Recreation Center
• 10:00am – 2:30pm
• Field Trip:  LCCC FAB Lab date TBD, Great Lakes Science Center date TBD

Description: This camp will focus on Middle School Students and raising awareness of and promoting the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  “On the Moon”; NASA and “Design Squad Team” Curriculum will be used. Six hands-on challenges will be address during the week of camp.  These fun challenges will allow campers to start to think like engineers and scientists and become excited about NASA’s missions to the moon.  Students will design an air-powered rocket, create a platform that can safely cushion “astronauts” when they land on the table near you, build a rubber band powered rover that can scramble across the room. Build a cardboard crane and see how heavy a load it can lift.  Modify a paper cup so it can zip down a line and drop a marble onto a target, and heat things up by building a solar hot water heater.  In addition to the 6 hands on activities, campers will visit the Lorain County Community College FAB lab to experience engineering technology first hand. Partner agency Horizon Education Center will bring their traveling robotics lab and LEGOs to camp for campers to become an “engineer for a day”.  A variety of local professionals in the STEM fields will provide valuable firsthand information on their careers, educational requirement and how campers can start to prepare now for an exciting STEM career.  To see a sample list of camp supplies see attachment in addendums.    

Reach and Rise Motivational/Leadership Smart Girls (Girls Ages 13-17)

• July 15 – 19, 2013
• Elyria YWCA
• 10:00am – 2:30pm
• Activities:  

Description: This Smart Girls Camp will use the national YWCA/Pepsi Cola model for the development of females with a focus on pride in community and pride in self. An emphasis on promoting responsibility, reinforcing positive behavior and develop character in adolescent girls. This camp addresses critical issues that young women face related to ethics, community awareness, decision making, wellness, employment and careers, cooperation and conflict, diversity, relationships and self-esteem

 

Reach and Rise #ExploreLorainCounty Camp (Boys and Girls ages 11-14)

• July 29-August 2
• East Recreation Center
• 10:00am – 2:30pm

Description: #Explore Lorain County Camp (Note: # is a common symbol in social media that may attract participants to this camp) is designed to expose camper to local history right here in our backyard.  A day will be spent in history rich city of Oberlin, were campers will visit the Underground Railroad exhibit, visit the Oberlin College, visit historically architectural buildings in the city of Oberlin.  Visit the organic Sprout Store for a food demonstration, and have lunch at a local eatery.  Campers will visit the Lorain County Historical Society “Hickories” and the new Lorain County Historical Society Museum to explore the history of Elyria Campers will also visit the stain glass windows of St. Andrews Church.  A visit to Cleveland Museum of Art, team building and anti-bullying curriculum will also be introduced at this camp.  Students will be asked to take pictures of their stops and create a video to promote our community.

Reach and Rise Arts & Music and Nature Camp (Boys and Girls Ages 6-12)

• August 12-16
• South Recreation Center and South Park
• 8:30am – 12:00 noon 
• Activities: Mini Swim Skill and open swim on Tuesday ; Introduction to Tap, Ballet and Jazz (Elyria YWCA); Story time and journaling  (Elyria Public Library);  Drumming & Rain sticks (Girl Scouts); Mosaic Art, Nature Rubbing, paper making, leaf art, make your own musical instrument from items found on  a nature walk.

Description: This camp was developed in response to the 2012 parent surveys.  Parents requested that a full day camp was too long for their child and they would like half day mini camps.  After spending nine and a half months in a structured classroom environment, this camp is designed to give children and youth creative freedom.  The art, dance, music and theater activities are designed to promote creativity, teach responsibility, cooperation and courage - whether that means dancing on stage, reciting a monologue or creating a puppet character.   And even better, if the participants enjoy the activities, they can continue them into the year through the local organizations providing the activities over the summer

Reach and Rise Science and Nature Camp (Boys and Girls Ages 6-12) (NEW)

August 12-16

• South Recreation Center and South Park
• 12:30 pm -4:00 PM
• Activities: Mini Swim Skill and open swim on Tuesday; make paint from natural pigments, find six ways to play with mud, exploring herbs and flower scents, make scented soap, seasons and weather, create a rain storm, cloud identification, sun prints, and composting.

Description: “If tomorrow’s caretakers of the earth are to love and understand the natural world, they need to explore it, enjoy it, and recognize our reliance on it.” Campers will have multiple activities, crafts and games to encourage children to get outdoors.  Curriculum content includes botany, biology, meteorology, hydrology, dendrology, ecology and other natural science themes. The Science and Nature Camp, based at South Park Recreation Center, is designed by teachers and embraces the Ohio Revised Science Educational Standards and Model Curriculum.  This camp combines environmental science with crafts, games and outdoor activities to encourage reluctant learners with a more transformative experience that combines fun and physical activity with content knowledge, inquiry, creativity and guided discovery.