Signup for Waterbury Rec Summer Camp opens soon
February 17, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti
Summer Recreation Camp means lots of time at the town pool and this year will include swim lessons for all campers. Photo by Gordon Miller
Signups for Summer Recreation Camp start the week of March 4 with a new registration schedule and swim lessons built into the program, according to Waterbury Recreation Director Katarina Lisaius.
The Recreation Department is adjusting the process after the system experienced challenges for the popular summer camp over the past several years. The eight-week program is funded by both participants and Waterbury taxpayers through the department’s budget.
Signups have often opened on Town Meeting Day and over the past several years, the first registration day experienced computer system glitches. Town officials have said that the slowdowns were compounded because they often occurred when staff members were attending town meeting.
Shifting the signup dates and designating times when residents and non-residents register will allow the department to prioritize registrations for town residents and respond in the moment as needed, Lisaius explained. “There will be more open registration spots on each registration date, yet we cannot guarantee enrollment for every child,” she noted.
Recreation staff are looking forward to Summer Camp 2024 where each week will have a theme: Creative Kids, Young Innovators, Nature Exploration, Adventure, and Action & Energy Camp. “By having themes we will be able to partner creatively with local organizations, have unique and smaller field trips and individualized activities,” Lisaius said. Planning also is being done with attention to ensuring appropriate staff-to-camper ratios.
Camp begins on Monday, June 24, and ends on Friday, August 16. Hours will be Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Camp will not be open on Thursday, July 4. Campers will enjoy local parks, sports fields, and the public pool. The program enrolls youngsters currently in kindergarten through 9th grade with its counselor in training program.
New for 2024: All campers will participate in swim lessons, Lisaius said. “This is an added benefit to camp that will help build important skills, especially as campers live so close to many natural swimming holes,” she pointed out.
Camp fees have increased this year to support additional staff and new programming. Fees per child for the full eight weeks will be $1,000 for residents and $1,250 for non-residents. Fees for single camp weeks will be $250 for residents, $300 for non-residents.
Sign-ups for camp will begin the week of March 4 with designated days to register for the full eight weeks of camp for residents and non-residents, and to register for specific and single weeks. The schedule is:
Wednesday, March 6, at 9 a.m. - Registration opens to Waterbury residents for 8-week slots.
Friday, March 8, at 9 a.m. - Registration opens to non-residents for 8-week slots.
Tuesday, March 12, at 9 a.m. - Registration opens to all families for all camp weeks.
The Recreation Department recommends that parents and caregivers sign in to their MyRec online accounts by March 4 to ensure that accounts are active and there are no past-due balances. Anyone with a problem with their account should contact the department by March 4. Create and log in to accounts and find more program details and contact information on the town Recreation Department website here.
Additional note: Waterbury Recreation is recruiting summer camp staff. See details and an application here.