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