Lodi Parks and Recreation to offer four summer camps

Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Hospital has run Camp Hutchins, a summer child care service, for 20 years, and their extended summer program for the past two, but will not offer the extended summer program this year, according to Jeff Hood, director of the Lodi Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.

As the department was not offering summer camps at Hutchins Street Square the past two years, Hood said, they provided that space to Camp Hutchins. Now that the City of Lodi is bringing its camps, back, he said, that space is no longer available for Camp Hutchins.

“We’ve got four summer camps, and two of them are going to be located at Hutchins Street Square. That’s the only indoor space we own as parks and recreation,” Hood said.

A general recreation camp and a theater camp will be held at Hutchins Street Square, Hood said. A sports camp will be held at the Grape Bowl, he said, and a nature camp at Lodi Lake.

Lodi will also offer a Counselors-in-Training program for children ages 13 to 15, Hood said, as well as a Leaders-in-T-raining program for 16- and 17-year-old junior counselors to support the adult staff. Both programs will help to prepare the youths for potential paid counselor positions once they turn 18, he said.

“I think this is going to be a great opportunity for families to have summer activities for their kids. These are targeted-interest camps, so we think there will be something for everyone,” Hood said

Although the camps are not designed as child care services, Hood said, they do have a 10-to-1 ratio of children to staff. The camp director, Rachel Sandoval, has also been certified by the American Camping Association, Hood said.

“Some people may wish to use the camps as child care, but they’re really about providing exciting summer recreation for kids on school break with experienced and trained staff,” Hood said.

Camp Hutchins’ extended summer program used to run for the eight weeks of summer break in June and July, according to Terri Whitmore, the camp’s director, and was open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The camps offered by Lodi Parks and Recreation will have two four-week sessions in June and July, Hood said, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The camps will also provide beforecamp care from 7 to 9 a.m., he said, and after-camp care from 4 to 6 p.m.

Those wishing to register should bring a proof of residence to the parks and recreation office, Hood said, in order to qualify for reduced rates.

For more information, call 209-333-6742 or visit www.lodi.gov/prcs/youth.html.