BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Swimming, walking and playing ball: that’s how a couple of dozen kids at the Greater Burlington YMCA Adventure Camp are spending their summer days.
It’s a perfect way for Remy Silvestera, 9, to keep active.
“Every day, I’m like, I never get any exercise. Everybody’s at camps, so I’m just like, I need a camp that gets me exercise,” Silvestera said.
Flo Goetsch, in her fourth summer, just can’t get enough.
“And I’m not just saying that; this is an amazing camp and I’m sad that I won’t be able to come next year,” said Goetsch, 13.
She wants to try an overnight camp next summer but come back to the Y when she’s older.
At Burlington City Arts, kids are introduced to crafts like pottery and needlework through 75 different programs.
Their campers are just as eager to return as leaders.
“I mean, summer, for me, I’ve always thought of it as this wide open space for students to really, honestly, sometimes not have anything to do. So, these programs give kids something productive to do during this three-month period of nothingness, you know?” said Emi Bedrosian, a camper-turned-teaching-assistant.
Many of BCA’s programs expand on what kids learn in school.
“I think kids engaging in summer camps is super beneficial, specifically art camps. I know a bunch of school districts may not have the best art programs, so I’m really happy that at BCA we’re able to supplement,” said Quinn Johnson, a ceramics instructor.
But even with a packed schedule, a longtime city arts camper says camp is a refreshing change of pace from the school year’s day-to-day.
“A lot of times I can just sit back and relax because in school you have to worry about tests, quizzes, projects– all that stuff. But you don’t really have to do stuff in the summer,” said Gus Williams, 9.
Every week is a new camp, so it may not be too late to get in on the summer fun. Check camp organizers’ websites for availability.