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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-06-04 . Cl~mgton REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT rYI ():;;L. Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee Date: May 03, 2004 Resolution #: ~lA7i2.if1~Otf Report #: CSD-D6-04 File#: By-law #: Subject: 2004 MARCH BREAK EXTRAVAGANZA Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CSD-06-04 be received for information. ~--. Submitted by: ,(.~....-- ~s P. Caruana pj ctor of Community Services /1 U( c--/ " Reviewed ~ ~ -----..IlA-) lc - Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer J PCIBT ISClta 1001 REPORT NO.: CSD-06-04 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 For the 21 st consecutive year the Municipality of Clarington offered a March Break program to residents. This year's version of the March Break Extravaganza included Day Camps at Rickard Recreation Complex and Courtice Community Complex for 4 -12 year olds; and, a Trip Camp for 8 -14 year olds which picked up participants at both locations. (The Aquatic Adventure Camp was not offered this year, as it was becoming increasing difficult to secure appropriate dedicated pool time during March Break, due to the overwhelming demand for recreational swimming and the Aquafit programs. The Boat Operator certification, which was the major component of the program, is now offered several times throughout the year by the Aquatics section.) 1.2 Interested camp participants had the convenience of registering for an entire week or by the day, which allowed parents to mix and match between day camp and trip camp and develop their own customized camp experience. 1.3 Program promotional flyers and registration forms were distributed in the Winter and the Spring Editions of the Community Guide and also distributed through the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board. In addition, a letter was sent to all Summer Day Camp participants at the end of August 2003 promoting upcoming programs including the March Break Extravaganza. As well, extensive use was made of Page 2 in the Canadian Statesman. 1.4 Although the core hours of the program were from 8:30 - 4:30 an extended hours service was provided by the Department to allow working parents to drop their children off at each Complex as early as 7:30 a.m. and pick them up as late as 5:30 p.m. each day. Program staff was scheduled to provide on site supervision of children accessing this service. Parents and caregivers found this service extremely helpful during the week as it was accessed on 137 occasions. 1.5 By offering the two day camps and the trip camp, a total of eighteen (18) job opportunities were created for youth, all of whom are candidates for future employment in our Summer Day Camp Program. The March Break Camp had a total of eleven (11) returning staff and seven (7) new staff. To assist in the hiring process this year, the department held a Pre-Selection Night for new potential staff. Applicants who demonstrated qualities of leadership, and were certified in Standard First Aid and CPR were invited to an evening in which they were briefed on the camp program, philosophy and the expectations the department would have of them as counsellors. In addition each applicant was required to come prepared to teach a game or song to the rest of the group. This process allowed the department to assess the interpersonal, communication and leadership skills and abilities of potential staff. Applicants who displayed the appropriate skills were then invited back for an interview. This process proved to be beneficial to the hiring process. The quality of the applicants was exceptional this year, creating a pleasant dilemma in regards to hiring. 1002 REPORT NO.: CSD-06-04 PAGE 3 1.6 Successful staff attended two training sessions prior to camp. The camp staff team proved to be of a good mix of experienced and new staff with everyone bringing their own skills and expertise to the program. With the leadership experience the new staff gained during March Break Camp and the large number of returning staff; the department has a strong foundation for an excellent team for the summer camp program. In addition, the community has benefited through the development of some excellent positive young role models. 2.0 DAY CAMP 2.1 The March Break Day Camp operated at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, and the Courtice Community Complex. Each day had a theme and participants took part in a variety of activities including arts & crafts, games and special events planned around the theme, as well as swimming and skating. The feedback from parents and participants confirmed that the program was well organized and full of activities to keep everyone busy. 2.2 A comparison for 2003 and 2004 Day Camp participation is recorded on the table below. Registration at the Courtice Camp experienced growth over last year, however the Rickard Camp registration was down slightly. This may have been a reflection of the success of the Ontario Early Years programs which operated at Rickard Recreation Complex throughout the winter and served a similar age group. Also, the decrease in Monday and Friday daytime registrations indicate that some parents took extended weekends with their family. Courtice Rickard Total Courtice Rickard Total Com lex Com lex Com lex Com lex MONDAY 40 49 89 46 36 82 TUESDAY 48 51 99 52 44 96 WEDNESDAY 48 50 98 50 42 92 THURSDAY 46 50 96 53 43 96 FRIDAY 48 49 97 48 36 84 230 249 479 249 201 450 TOTAL 3.0 DAY TRIPS 3.1 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: Monday: Putting Edge & Cineplex Odeon Theatres Tuesday: North End Bowl & Wheelies Wednesday: Tubing at Lakeridge Ski Resort Thursday: Ontario Science Centre Friday: Kids Zone Laser & Swimming 1003 REPORT NO.: CSD-06-04 PAGE 4 Tubing at Lakeridge Ski Resort was a new trip this year which proved to be very successful. Campers and staff returned Wednesday afternoon beaming with excitement and tales of their exploits on the hills. 3.3 Participants had the option of choosing Courtice CC or Rickard RC as their pick up and drop off location. Parents were also able to access the extended hours services at either location, if required. 3.4 The registered participation in the trip camp program is recorded on the table below. To ensure the safety of each child, the maximum number of campers was capped at 40 this year, to ensure an 8:1 camper-counsellor trip ratio and to ensure that everyone had a seat on the bus. Courtice Courtice Rickard Com lex Com lex Com lex MONDAY 23 43 28 12 40 TUESDAY 22 41 28 12 40 WEDNESDAY 24 45 29 11 40 THURSDAY 24 45 27 13 40 FRIDAY 24 45 28 12 40 117 219 140 59 200 TOTAL 4.0 COMMENTS 4.1 The Community Services Department was able to offer a varied, safe and exciting program for our local residents. This year proved to be one of the best March Break Camps the department has been associated with the program. The part time staff were exceptional, well organized, enthusiastic and dedicated. They constantly displayed excellent customer service skills, which tended to alleviate any potential incidents and issues. 4.2 A March Break Review was held with staff the week after camp. Each camp supervisor and counsellor was given five minutes to provide their evaluation of their March Break experience. Topics ranged from staff selection, to training, the facility, program, teamwork and camp specials. Much lively discussion ensued and many new and unique ideas were discussed to improve our future camp programs. 4.3 From that meeting, staff also identified there appears to be a demand to accommodate participants in the 13 to 16 age group. Presently there are few options available for this group, as the regular camp program is focused on 4 -12 year olds. Staff will review the feasibility of offering a program of this nature in 2005. 1004 ~. REPORT NO.: CSD-06-04 PAGE 5 4.4 The program will continue to accommodate as many individuals in the Municipality of Clarington as possible. The department continues to revise and improve the program each year, achieving the underlying goal of providing a quality program at a reasonable fee. CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5506 1005