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Home My WebLink AboutCS-11-01 < , , ~ THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT f}JoJ-- Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File #,_ ,> Res. tC/!J-.J--YS--() ) Date: April 9, 2001 Report #: CS-11-01 By-law # Subject: 2001 MARCH BREAK EXTRAVAGANZA Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report No. CS-11-01 be received for information 1.0 RACKGROllND 1.1 Year 2001 marked the 18th year the Municipality of Clarington has offered March Break Camp, and just the second year the program was offered at the Courtice Community Complex. Equally important, this was the first year Community Services expanded the program to include two specialty camps, Babysitting Course and Aquatic Adventures. 1.2 Interested participants could choose to register in the Day Camp, Day Trip or Specialty Camp program. For convenience, parents could register their children for the full week (Monday to Friday), or by individual days. 1.3 Program information flyers and registration forms were distributed in the Spring and Summer Edition of the Community Activity Guide. For reference, a copy of the 2001 program information is attached (Attachment #1) to this report. Other promotional devices included distribution of flyers to Aquatic program participants, and to last years' Summer Daycamp participants at the end of August 2000. 1.4 In order to accommodate working parents, an extended hours the Department allowing parents to drop their children off at each Complex as early as 7:30 am and pick them up as late as 5:30 p.m. each day provided service. Program Leaders were scheduled to provide on site supervision of children accessing this service. ..../2 842 ~ REPORT NO.: CS-11-01 PAGE 2 2.0 RFGlSTRATION 2.1 The registration increased by 9% this year. While we experienced a slight decline in the Day Trips Camp, regular day camp increased and a new Specialty Camps program was introduced. 2.2 The department has also recognized an increase in programs offered by other agencies during the March Break period. 2.3 In addition, much of the local industry, particularly in the automotive and related suppliers imposed a shut-down period over March Break. This reduced the need for day camps for some families as at least one parent would remain home over this period. 3.0 DAY CAMP 3.1 The March Break Day Camp operated at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, and the Courtice Community Complex. The participants took part in a variety of activities including arts & crafts, games, special events, swimming and skating. A number of parents, participants and staff indicated that the program was well organized and full of activities to keep everyone busy. 3.2 A comparison for 2000 and 2001 participation in the program is recorded on the table below. Courtice Rickard Total Courtice Rickard Total Com lex Com lex Com lex Com lex MONDAY 40 35 75 41 41 82 TUESDAY 41 37 78 43 42 85 WEDNESDAY 42 34 76 47 41 88 THURSDAY 39 37 76 46 46 92 FRIDAY 43 35 78 48 42 90 TOTAL 205 178 383 225 212 437 ..../3 843 REPORT NO.: CS.11-01 PAGE 3 4.0 DAY TRIPS 4.1 As with the Day Camp Program, interested participants could chose to participate in these activities for either the full week or on a daily basis. Staff chose destinations, which provided a safe, enjoyable atmosphere for all of the participants, as well as a mix of local and non-local attractions: Royal Ontario Museum Planetarium Metro Toronto Zoo CN Tower & Wheelies Ontario Science Centre All of the Day Trips started and ended at each Complex and parents were also able to access the extended hours services if required. 4.2 The registered participation in this day camp program is recorded on the table below. Courtice Rickard Total Courtice Rickard Total Com lex Com lex Com lex Com lex MONDAY 22 31 53 26 21 47 TUESDAY 23 34 57 29 23 52 WEDNESDAY 20 31 51 27 22 49 THURSDAY 21 30 51 28 25 53 FRIDAY 22 32 54 26 25 51 TOTAL 108 158 266 136 116 25 5.0 SPECIAl TY CAMPS 5.1 This year marked the first time the Community Services Department expanded the March Break program to include two Specialty Camps - the Babysitting Course and Aquatic Adventures. 5.2 Both specialty programs were operated out of the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex. Participants were required to attend for the full week in order to receive their certificates and awards. ..../4 844 REPORT NO.: CS-11-01 PAGE 4 5.3 The Babysitting Course was offered to participants 12 years of age and up. The program, offered by the Municipality of Clarington, in conjunction with the Canadian Red Cross Society, included swimming, a day trip, and the babysitters course material. Participants were also given the opportunity to gain hands on experience within the daycamp program, by leading crafts, games and songs. In addition, special guests such as the police department and the fire department came to speak to the group about responsibilities, emergencies and resources. All successful participants received a certificate at the end of the course indicating their participation in the program. 5.4 Aquatic Adventures was offered to participants with aquatic background ages nine and up. Activities included snorkelling, waterpolo, swimming, a day trip and certification in the B.O.A.T. course (Boat Operator Accredited Training). The Municipality as an affiliate of The Lifesaving Society of Canada offered the B.O.A.T. course, a main feature of the Aquatic Adventure program. To receive certification, all participants were required to write the exam at the end of the course and receive a grading no less than 75%. AQUATIC ADVENTURES BABYSITTING COURSE TOTAL N/A N/A N/A 14 7 21 6.0 TOTAL MARCH BRFAK PARTICPATlON 6.1 Although the number of registered participants for the Day Trip program has decreased at the Rickard Recreation Complex, the overall participation for the March Break program has increased. 6.2 Summary a comparison of 2000 and total participation in the 2001 March Break Program is recorded as: (This reflects a 9%increase in participation) DAY CAMP DAY TRIPS SPECIALTY CAMP TOTAL 383 266 N/A 649 437 252 21 710 6.3 By offering Daycamps at both locations, a total of twenty-one (21) job opportunities were created for youth, most are candidates for future employment in our Summer Daycamp Program. ..../5 845 REPORT NO.: CS-11-01 PAGE 5 7.0 COMMENTS 7.1 The Community Services Department was able to offer a safe and exciting program for area residents to participate in. The Department continues to revise and improve the program each year, achieving the underlying goal of providing a quality program at a reasonable fee. 7.2 The program will continue to accommodate as many individuals in the Municipality of Clarington as possible. Staff has already begun to investigate new and unique opportunities that might be available for the year 2002. Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by, o r-~1ZQ-.:J:~ Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Chief Administrative Officer JPC/TL/pg 8 4,6 "1 J (ATTACHMENT #1 TO REPORT CS-11-01) The Community Services Department is pleased to offer children Ages 4 and up the opportunity to participate in our fantastic programs during March Break Extravaganza DAY CAMP DAY TRIPS Enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, skating, sports, and games. Theme days include. . Monday - Feather Friends Tuesday - Music Makers & Skate at RRC Wednesday - Drama Day Thursday - Hallowe'en Party Friday - Pyjama Day & Swim at CCC Monday - Royal Ontario Museum & Swim at CCC Tuesday - Planetarium Wednesday - Metro Zoo Thursday - CN Tower & VlJheelies Friday - Ontario Science Centre Specialty Camps (full week required) Babysitting Course (12 yrs and up) Successful participants will obtain Babysitting Certificate, Other activities include swimming, day trip. and leading activities within the Day Camp program, Aquatic Adventures (9 yrs and up) Activities include snorkeling, waterpolo. swimming, day trip and certification in B,O.A.T. (Boat Operator Accredited Training) Course. March 12th . March 16th Everything you need to know. . . PROGRAM HOURS All programs run from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Extended Care is provided in two periOdS per day - one prior to program (7:30 to 8:30 AM) and one following program (4:30 to 5:30 PM). Children may register for one or both of lI1e care periods, Extended Care fee is $5.00 per day or $2,50 per time slot. COSTS DAY CAMP Single Day Full Week $30.00 $85.00 DAY TRIPS I SPECIALTY CAMPS Single Day $ 50.00 Full Week $140.00 WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP Participants are required to bring a bag lunch with 2 drinks. and to dress appropriately for the day's activities. ABSENT CAMPER Please call Camp iocation at Courtice Community Complex 404-1525 or Gamet B, Rickard Recreation Complex at 623-5728, and leave a message, if your child wili not be aUending camp on any given day, REFUND POLICY 'That any applicant to a Community Services Department program wishing 10 cancel registration in a program shall be charged a cancellation fee of $10,00,' 1, All requests for cancellation and/or refund must be received in writing by the Community Services Department, 2, Arrf cancellation/refund requests will be pro-rated to lI1e date that they are received by the Community Services Department. 3. Cancellation/refund requests received after lI1e completion of the second class will not be processed except for medical reasons. Medical refund requests will be assessed on an individual basis. 4. In case of the Community Services Department cancelling a program. all registered participants will receive a full refund or an altemate choice. U lI1e a~emate class is not suitable, a full refund will be issued. 847 ,~