WINTER, Fall, SPRING AND SUMMER FUN CAMPS

A full-day program for school age children during their intercession vacation, which provides recreational and developmental activities. Activities may include individual and group games, swimming, bowling, roller-skating, community projects, arts & crafts, and field trips to museums, parks, and local areas of interest to the children. Admission fees for all activities are included in the child's program participation fee.

SAC EVENT HIGHLIGHT CALENDAR
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DAILY SCHEDULE

When visitors step into the School Age Centers (SAC), they see happy, busy children, a rich environment, caring adults, and a variety of activities. We have found that talking with the children about what they like to do and observing them, planning the activity areas based on child preferences and developmental levels and maintaining a variety of activities is one of the secrets to a successful program. The other critical element is respecting children's freedom and choice. Children do not have to ask to move around the building, they are not directed by an adult to participate in projects or activities.

 

Children choose what they would like to do and what they are interested by using the “Children's Choice Board” with their magnetic ID cards. The “Board” is used to help children make their choices within certain limits set by staff to ensure children's safety, but allow them freedoms to practice responsibility and autonomy within the program grounds. 

 

Mornings: An organized staff-directed activity is scheduled every morning and children may also enjoy the child-directed activities, or participate in supervised in door/out door free play depending upon the weather. Breakfast is provided buffet style from 0630-0730.

 

Afternoons: Children report to their designated pick up point as soon as school is dismissed.  Attendance is taken and any child who is absent is followed up on. The first 45 minutes (1530-1615) of the after school program provides nutritious snacks buffet style and active play is available. Children can choose to eat a second snack, burn off some energy in active play, sit and talk with their friends, relax in the quiet area - read or do home work, etc.

 

From 1615-1730 all areas are open. From 1730-1800 areas of choice are gradually reduced and cleaned up as the numbers of youth are picked up.  Group announcements and discussion time occur during their snack hour. Children hear what their choices are for the day and discuss things like their school day, family time, value words, scheduled activities, etc. Each afternoon there are two or more scheduled activities one active and one passive.  Children that do not choose to participate in the scheduled staff-directed activity may choose a child-directed activity or monitored indoor/outdoor free play. 

 

Parents may come into the program and observe children moving from one place to another and feel uncomfortable with so much freedom. The SAC program does not resemble a formal school setting - we like it that way. After a day at school, children want to move or rest, play or be quiet; it is up to them. Children don't like to wait; they want to do what interests them. They want to spend time with their friends or talking with a trusted adult or they are hungry for a snack. We find that behavior problems are kept at a minimum when children have interesting and age appropriate choices. We also find that children have many opportunities to extend their math and science learning by conducting hands on projects such as cooking, reading or using the computer. They build social skills by participating in clubs and group projects. They also build their bodies by playing active games inside and outside, participating in fitness activities, and eating healthy snacks. During full-day intercession, field trips, sport events, swimming and special programs are planned.