For kids, summer means a break from school, a chance to play with friends and maybe get into a little trouble. But for parents, summer break is everything but a relaxing, long vacation. Many parents have to scramble for safe, affordable, accessible childcare every summer. The University of New Mexico offers a slate of summer activities to parents for children with a variety of talents.
Active children enjoyed the Recreational Activities Day Camp, or RAD Camp, a two-week activity camp hosted by UNM Recreational Services for kids 7-13. Activities include volleyball, arts and crafts, field trips, scavenger hunts, badminton, softball and more.
“The camp was started so that UNM students, faculty and staff with children could have a place for their children to go during the summer months,” said Lisa Romero, RAD Camp coordinator. “It’s a great way for a child to spend his or her summer. These campers build friendships that are long lasting.”
Parents who want their children to continue their education during the summer signed them up for the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology Children’s Summer Camp. Children ages 8-12 can enjoy a variety of educational programs offered by the museum, such as “Music from Around the World,” “Skulls and Skills,” “Making a Living the Ancient Way,” “Spanish Colonial Life and Arts” and “Archaeology.”
“This program has been going on for seven years or more to address a need in the community,” said Amy Grochowski, camp director. “Parents are looking for an opportunity that allows their kids to learn during the summer.”
She said the program is a great opportunity for kids to be exposed to cultures they may not be familiar with.
Parents who wished to explore their children’s music talents participated in the UNM Music Prep School Opera Camp. Programs for children ages 5-7 or 8 and up included singing time, theater and movement games.
“We first started this program in the fall of 1993, when the music program was [virtually] eliminated from the public elementary schools in the area,” said Diane Bonnell, director of the Music Prep School.
Bonnell said with the high cost of private music lessons, many children miss out on the joys of music. The Music Prep School offers a solid music foundation at a lower price.
Children with special needs joined the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation’s Beyond Limits Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp, open to youth ages 7-18 who have physical disabilities.
“We started the camp in 2001 to give youth with physical disabilities opportunities to try sports that they usually don’t have much access to,” said Mary Beth Schubauer, Beyond Limits sports coordinator. “There are no other programs like this available in New Mexico for youth with physical disabilities. It offers young people an opportunity not only to learn the rules of competitive and recreational sports, but also to meet other people like themselves.”
UNM also offered a free educational sports program for disadvantaged youth ages 9-14 called the Summer Youth Sports Program. SYSP activities include swimming, tennis, basketball and soccer, as well as nutrition and personal health education.
“The SYSP program first came to UNM over 35 years ago as a federally funded program,” said Gloria Napper-Owen, project administrator for UNM SYSP. “We continue to be committed to this summer program because of our goal to provide a safe, well-designed instructional and physical activity program for children who may not be able to afford other opportunities.”
Children’s summer programs at UNM are announced each spring at UNM Today.
Story by Jazmen Bradford