School’s out, the kids are home and some parents may be pulling their hair out by now, wondering just what to do with their rascals so they can keep their sanity.
For those parents, summer camps are a godsend. Day camps mean that for eight or so blissful hours you don’t have to worry about keeping your children occupied.
But what if that hourly bliss was extended into days? Enter the Youth Summer Camp at Camp Tweedsmuir in Fruitvale.
The week-long youth camp is back after a successful first summer, with double the number of spots available for kids to live outside the box.
“The kids are talking about it and word got out,” said Heather Hamer, Scout leader and group commissioner for 1st Beaver Valley.
She mentioned that all the kids who were enrolled in last year’s camp are coming back, which testifies to the fun they had. Twenty-six kids have already registered, up from 15 last year.
Activities kids will participate in include archery, crafts, hiking, canoeing, mastering the climbing wall, movie under the stars and a dunk tank.
Besides the off-the-wall activities, Hamer said there are plenty of other reasons why kids should attend
“The kids are there 24/7, they’re there for the whole week so they’ve got that away from home situation,” she said. “The team-building, team spirit that happens when you’re with the same kids 24/7 means there’s more to it than when you’re just out for the day.”
A highlight from last year was the Order of the Golden Arm Society, which participants can become a member of — if they dare.
“It’s a little ghost-story thing that happens (after campfire) and we’ve got a special badge done up for the brave of heart that are going to stand and go through it all,” Hamer said, adding that the kids who went through it last year were all pretty leery at first but ended with smiles on their faces.
The camp is very interactive and hands-on, especially with the dunk tank this year.
“That will be another fun this year, especially with the heat of the afternoon.”
The camp is geared towards kids aged nine to 12, boys and girls. Participants will have to bring all personal camping gear, but all meals and cabin accommodation will be provided.
Contact Hamer at 250-367-7453 for information.