Day Camp: A Message from Noelle

Noelle Olivete is an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate with United Way of Utah County and served as director of the South Franklin Community Center's Summer Day Camp for 2011.

There were seven weeks of camp…and it was questionable if I would survive those weeks! Looking back, I have to say that camp was a success! As each week passed, I learned so much about what activities to do and what worked best for the entire group. 

My favorite part of camp was getting to know each child on a personal level. In addition, being able to improve and teach them new skills was really rewarding. Whether it be on field trips, at the community garden, or just at the community center, I felt that it was important to focus on having a goal for them to reach. Some of the goals included giving the group challenges, teambuilding activities, developing the feeling of self-accomplishment, exploring new ideas and concepts, doing service, and so on. I have to say that preparing these activities presented a challenge for me but I would not trade this experience for anything! To see the facial expression of each child enjoying themselves during an activity or thinking things through during a challenge makes my job so fulfilling.

During these seven weeks, I know that I have gained so much insight as I interacted with each child; I have learned so much from them.  I hope that they were able to have a good experience during camp and that they have gained something from coming. I love that I was able to be small part of their lives! I hope that by working with them as well as our amazing volunteers, that together we have instilled in them to keep moving forward in life—to make good choices and know that each and every one of them has so much potential.

It is my hope that the South Franklin Community Center's Summer Day Camp keeps improving as the years go by. I hope that it will continue to impact and unite the families within the community.

Day Camp: Closing Social

Day Camp has come to a close for Summer 2011!  To celebrate, a closing social was held at the community center this afternoon.  Following a delicious potluck lunch served outside in shade of the trees, campers and their families were treated to a slideshow and special program in the community center.

After the slideshow, several campers from each group shared their favorite part of day camp.  The younger group treated the rest of the campers and audience to a dance set to Taio Cruz’s song “Dynamite.”

Summer Camp 2011 was a great success.  Special thanks to our volunteers who made our camp possible and to our staff members for their support.

If you missed any of our reports from camp, be sure to check the archives.  Visit our Facebook page for more pictures.

See you next summer!

Photos by Mark Hartman

Day Camp: Museum of Peoples and Cultures

With Day Camp coming to a close at the end of this week, the campers had time for one final field trip, this time to the Museum of Peoples and Cultures at BYU.  The museum started as part of BYU’s Department of Archaeology in the 1960s, becoming an official museum in 1981.

Today’s visit began with a lecture by one of the museum staff members about the Fremont people who lived in this part of Utah more than a thousand years ago.  Campers were shown various artifacts, and given a demonstration on telling a story based on archaeological evidence.  After the demonstration, the campers had a chance to put what they had learned to the test.

Outside the museum is a sand pit with buried artifacts.  After a brief safety lecture and some instruction, the campers were let loose to see what they could find.

Once they had discovered their arrowhead and beads, the campers made necklaces from their discoveries.

Thanks to the Museum of Peoples and Cultures staff for a fun and educational trip.  To learn more about the museum, visit their web site.  As always, thanks to Utah Valley Paratransit and our volunteers, without whom these trips would not be possible.

Photos by Mark Hartman

Day Camp: Hike Day

Day Camp tries to give children of the South Franklin community an opportunity to experience things that they might not otherwise have the chance to do.  Last week, the campers traveled to Rock Canyon for Hike Day.

After arriving at the entrance to Rock Canyon, the campers had a safety lecture.  Once the lecture was finished, the campers split into groups and went on their way up the canyon.  Along the way they learned about nature and health.

Thanks to Utah Valley Paratransit for providing transportation and to our volunteers for giving their time and energy to make these field trips a success!

Photos by Noelle Olivette

Day Camp: Provo Library

Day Camp’s educational field trips continued last week with a visit to the Provo Library, specifically the George and Delores Doré Eccles Children’s Library in the Old Wing.  Campers had the opportunity to take a tour of library facilities, learn how to get a library card, and have some fun in the Children’s Program room.

After entering the program room, campers were informed of the goal for the day: build a bobblehead!  For those who aren’t familiar, a bobblehead is a doll with an oversized, moveable head on a spring.  When you tap the head, it “bobbles” back and forth, giving the doll its name.  A traditional bobblehead would be too complicated, so children’s program participants built theirs out of clay and pipe cleaners.

Some campers decided not to make a bobblehead but to let their creativity flow.

Thanks to the Provo Library Children’s Program for letting us visit and to Utah Valley Paratransit for the ride to the library.  As always thanks to our volunteers!

Photos by Mark Hartman

Day Camp: Provo Rehab and Nursing

Day Camp ended for the week with the second field trip of the year, a visit to Provo Rehab and Nursing, a 24-hour care facility.  Today’s trip taught the campers about serving others and having fun.

The trip started off with the campers splitting into groups to prepare games to play with the residents in the courtyard of the facility.   Each group was in charge of a specific game, including ring toss, mini golf, and a cupcake walk.  Campers also had a chance to interact on a personal level with the residents, whether it was helping them with the games or just visiting with them.  One resident played a housekeeper in the Sound of Music, the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer!

At the end of the visit, the campers and residents thanked each other, and some campers helped the residents back to their rooms.

Thanks to Utah Valley Paratransit for the transportation, to our volunteers for helping with camp, and to Provo Rehab and Nursing for a wonderful visit!  

Want to see more pictures? Visit our Facebook page.

Photos by Mark Hartman

Day Camp: Teamwork Field Day

Day Campers continued their summer of learning and fun at Tuesday’s combined field day.  The special guest was U.S. Army Lieutenant Dane Sawyer who came to camp to teach about teamwork and discipline.  Lt. Sawyer demonstrated the proper way to do push-ups, and helped the campers understand why discipline and teamwork were important in the Army.  

Following his presentation, the campers split into teams and prepared for a day of field games.

The outdoor portion started with some stretching and instruction, after which the games began! First up was a pushup and situp competition, followed by a relay race, an obstacle course, and a three-legged race.

While the day was exhausting, the campers loved it and repeatedly asked for another day like this in the future.  Thanks to Lt. Sawyer, our staffers, and our volunteers for their help in making this day possible!

For more photos from Teamwork Field Day, be sure to visit our Facebook page.

Photos by Mark Hartman

Day Camp: Home Depot Kids' Workshop

Day Camp isn’t just about having fun, it’s also about learning.  Today the campers did both when the Home Depot Kids’ Workshop came to South Franklin.  Kids’ Workshop is a program that teaches kids about tool safety and simple skills to “instill a sense of accomplishment.”  The campers at South Franklin were fortunate to have Danny from the Home Depot come to camp and bring the Kids’ Workshop program with him.

Each camper was given a kid-sized orange Home Depot apron and a small workshop project kit.  Campers could choose to build either a helicopter or a sailboat.  After some safety instructions and a quick reminder to follow the directions included in each kit, the campers got to work.

We're grateful to Danny and the Kids’ Workshop program for taking the time to teach the campers while having fun at the same time.  For more information on the Kids’ Workshop program, visit their web site.

We're also grateful to our volunteers.  We had a great volunteer turnout today, which enabled the campers to receive the personal attention they needed while working on their projects.  It's not too late to volunteer.  Visit our Google Doc signup page for more information!

For more photos from the Home Depot's Kids' Workshop, visit our Facebook page.

Photos by Mark Hartman

Day Camp: Bean Life Science Museum

The fun at Day Camp continued Tuesday with the first field trip of the year.  Eager campers boarded United Way buses for the short trip to the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum on the campus of Brigham Young University.  According to the museum’s web site, the Bean Museum opened to the public in 1978 and is accredited by the American Association of Museums, a distinguished honor.  In addition to collections of plants and animals made available for researchers, the museum has many public exhibits and educational programs.

The Day Camp group was treated to the Ecosystems Show, a live animal show where students learn about different ecosystems and how animals adapt to their environments.  Our show was presented by Kira, an educator at the museum.  Throughout her presentation, she answered campers’ questions and did a great job of keeping them engaged in the program.

The highlight of the program was the live animal portion.  Campers got to see a frog and touch a turtle and a snake.  Some campers were more enthusiastic than others. 

After the presentation, campers were encouraged to wander around the museum and look at the exhibits.  Both campers and volunteers enjoyed themselves.

Thanks to Kira and the Bean Museum for a wonderful field trip!  For more information on the museum, visit their web site.  

Find more photos from our trip to the Bean Museum on our Facebook page.

Photos by Mark Hartman

Day Camp: Living Legends

Week 2 of Day Camp started Monday when campers met with some special visitors as members of BYU’s Living Legends came to perform for a combined day camp session.  Living Legends is a performing arts group from the School of Music at BYU which celebrates the music and dance traditions of Native Americans, Latin Americans, and the peoples of the islands of the South Pacific.  Each individual performance represented a different native people or location, including the Hoop Dance from New Mexico and another dance from Tahiti.  After the performers completed their program, there was a short Question & Answer session with the campers. 

Thanks to Jared, Amber, and Sam from Living Legends for performing for Day Camp, and special thanks to our volunteers for helping out.  It's not too late to volunteer! Visit our Google Doc signup sheet for more information.

Photos by Mark Hartman

Day Camp: Firefighter Presentation

Day Camp continued Wednesday at the Boulders with a combined session of the two age groups for a visit from Provo City firefighters and their fire engines.   Campers learned basic fire safety tips the firefighters, after which the two groups toured Engine No. 4, a 55-foot-long ladder truck, and Brush Engine No. 4, a heavy duty pickup truck turned into a brush firefighting vehicle.  Two lucky campers were selected to try on a firefighter’s gear, including boots, oxygen tank, and hat.

After the fire engine tour, the real fun began.  The firefighters unrolled a hose from Brush Engine No. 4 with the help of some campers, while other campers set up orange traffic cones on the soccer field as targets for the streams of water and to ensure the safety of the campers.  After a quick safety lecture and demonstration of the powerful hoses, each camper got to try their hand at the hose (with the assistance of a firefighter, of course).  Once each camper finished their turn at the hose, they lined up on the other side of the traffic cones to enjoy the cool water in the warm spring sun.

Special thanks to Provo City Firefighters Joe Clarke and Joel Burrows of Station No. 4 for bringing their equipment and putting on a great demonstration for the campers.


Want to see more photos from the firefighters visit to day camp? Visit our Facebook page.


Photos by Mark Hartman

Day Camp 2011

Summer was in the air at the Boulders on Monday morning as the South Franklin Community Center kicked off the Day Camp 2011.  Eager campers enjoyed a treat of muffins, fruit, and milk and juice while they registered and made name tags.  After registration, the campers introduced themselves and played some get-to-know-you games.

 

Campers also learned what they’ll be doing this year.  Throughout the summer, day camp participants will have the opportunity to play games, watch demonstrations from public safety officers and other guests, and go on a number of field trips.

The day camp is split into two age groups.  The first group is for children ages 6 through 8 and meets from 9 to 11:30 am, while the second group serves children ages 9 through 13 and meets from noon to 3:30pm.  On certain days the groups will combine and meet together at 10 am, such as on field trip and presentation days.

Special thanks to our volunteers for their help today.  It’s not too late to sign up to volunteer at Day Camp.   Visit the Google Doc signup sheet for more information.

More photos from day camp can be found at our Facebook page.

Photos by Matt Chambers