FROM:
Community Services
SUBJECT:
Title
The 2021 Fontana Summer Camp Program
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Review, accept, and file staff report.
End
DISCUSSION:
The City of Fontana hosted in-person Summer Camps between June 14th and July 30th, 2021. The eight Summer Camps were implemented in weekly and/or two-week sessions and had a total of 1,768 camp enrollees and reached 95.21% of total available enrollment capacity.
Due to the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, all Summer Camps offered in 2021 were modified to adhere to health and safety standards established by the State of California, County of San Bernardino, and the City of Fontana. The adaptations implemented for the 2021 camps due to the pandemic, included but are not necessarily limited to: capacity, social distancing, sanitization and disinfecting, face masks, non-shared materials, and other logistical components such as drop-off, pick-up, registration process, and layout of facility rooms.
Summer Camps in 2021 included:
• Nature Discovery Camp at the Mary Vagle Nature Center
• Arts Camp at the Art Depot Gallery and Steelworkers’ Auditorium
• Jr. Lifeguard Camp at Fontana Park Aquatic Center
• Sports Camp at Fontana Park Pavilion
• Camp Southridge at the Don Day Neighborhood Center
• Camp Imagination at the Cypress Neighborhood Center
• Camp JED at the Heritage Neighborhood Center
• Camp Fit at the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center
The total points of contact for all Fontana Summer Camps in 2021 was 16,789. The following is an overview for each Summer Camp.
Nature Camp:
The Nature Discovery Camp hosted at the Mary Vagle Nature Center was four fun-packed weeks of exploration through science and social interactions for ages 6-12. During July, campers learned to work in groups, they went on hikes, and they participated in hands-on science education. Campers learned about animals, water, pollution, and principles of flight.
• The Nature Discovery Camp had 87 enrollees and 782 points of contact.
Arts Camp:
The Fontana Arts Summer Camp offered seven weekly sessions that explored both visual and performing arts in a creative and fun filled camp environment for youth ages 7-12. Held at both the Art Depot Gallery and the Steelworkers’ Auditorium from June 14 through July 30, campers enjoyed a wide variety of activities such as art lessons, acting exercises, improv games, dance routines, music fundamentals, and performances for family members at the conclusion of each camp session.
• The Arts Camp had 195 enrollees and 1,827 points of contact.
Jr. Lifeguard:
Fontana’s newly restructured Junior Lifeguarding Program was a tremendous success this summer. The implementation of shorter, 2-week sessions, with morning and afternoon offerings, allowed more participants to register than any previous summer. Hosted for ages 10-14, campers enjoyed learning from certified instructors who taught them the fundamentals of Lifeguarding and CPR as well as the importance of working as a team. Junior Guards also had the option to become Red Cross Certified in CPR, and approximately 25 proceeded to be certified. Upon successful completion of the program, many of these Junior Guards went on to provide more than 500 volunteer hours of added supervision of swimmers during recreational swim as well as assistance during swim lessons at Fontana pools.
• The Jr. Lifeguard Camp had 109 enrollees and 2,180 points of contact.
Sports Camp:
The Sports Camp generated engaging and action-packed activities for youth ages 6-12 that was geared towards keeping active. Campers participated in both traditional and non-traditional sports and active games, where they built new & lasting relationships, experienced a sense of teamwork, and increased self-esteem for all sport skill levels. Additionally, science projects, swim days, and special visits by Fontana Police Department and Healthy Fontana provided unique experiences for campers during the summer.
• The Sports Camp had 259 enrollees and 2,302 points of contact.
Camp Southridge:
Located at the Don Day Neighborhood Center, Camp Southridge had a phenomenal seven weeks of exciting crafts, games, presentations, and making new friends. Camp participants, ages 6-12, made many crafts and art projects, played numerous games and activities, and enjoyed swim days, park play, and special guest visits from Healthy Fontana, Girl Scouts, and the Nature Center.
• Camp Southridge had 212 enrollees and 1,940 points of contact.
Camp Imagination:
Camp Imagination, at the Cypress Neighborhood Center, welcomed campers aged 6-12 for seven weeks of recreational and fun filled camp activities in June and July. Campers were encouraged to expand and grow their imagination through crafts, artistry, and inventive science and building activities. Additionally, curiosity, social skills, and active play was promoted as youth visited Central City Park, walked at the Pacific Electric Trail, and participated in swim days.
• Camp Imagination had 237 enrollees and 2,026 points of contact.
Camp JED:
The Heritage Neighborhood Center hosted the Journey, Explore, Discover (JED) Summer Camp for ages 6-12. Beginning on June 14th, campers were provided activities designed to foster creativity, leadership, teamwork, health, critical thinking, social skills, and fitness. Additionally, art and craft projects were offered to promote self-expression and inspire creativity. Virtual and in-person guest visits were done by Healthy Fontana, Nature Center, and the Lewis Library to generate additional activity opportunities for campers. Additionally, campers walked to the McDermott Park to play tennis, basketball, and team-oriented games and on Wednesdays, a huge hit amongst all campers was the swim day at Heritage Pool.
• Camp J.E.D. had 265 enrollees and 2,368 points of contact.
Camp FIT:
Camp FIT, at the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center, hosted camp for ages 6-12. Campers enjoyed various fun recreational activities and had the opportunity to take part in water games, sports, outdoor play, arts and crafts, and science projects. Healthy Fontana, The Nature Center, and the Lewis Library and Technology provided additional activities and entertainment opportunities for campers. Additionally, swim days were provided at the Fontana Park Aquatic Center. With unique weekly themes for each session, such as the week seven Olympic theme, campers enjoyed varied activities and unique experiences all summer that were designed to promote positive attitudes, instill the importance of self-worth and self- esteem, and provide families with a fun, safe, and educational camp experience.
• Camp FIT had 404 enrollees and 3,364 points of contact.
Summary:
The 2021 Summer Camps in Fontana provided community members with quality of life enrichment experiences. The activities provided promoted healthy living, education, arts and creativity, and social-skills development. As mentioned earlier, the program enrollment reached 95.21% of the total available capacity. The Community Services Department looks forward to seeing more programs successfully returning to in-person, like the 2021 Summer Camps, as allowable by the then-current health and safety standards established for the COVID-19 pandemic.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
MOTION:
Accept and file staff report.