Summer Playground Program Begins

Summer began long before the sultry weather for Jennifer DaSilva. As director of the Summer Playground Program, the day camp run through the Recreation Department, DaSilva was involved in planning events that will fill campers' schedules from now until August.

"We're very excited," said DaSilva, on hand at Baird on Sun. afternoon to meet parents and campers. Counselors were busy distributing color-coded t-shirts and calendars to 210 campers enrolled in this year's program.

"The kids look forward to the trips," added DaSilva, noting that this year campers will travel to Jenkinson's Aquarium, to a roller-skating rink, and to watch the Staten Island Yankees play. "That's a great trip," she noted.

Younger campers stay closer to home, walking to local ice cream stores. Campers are grouped by age; each age wears t-shirts in a particular color and has a group name that suits their shade. Second grade "Blue Sharks," for example, will cover Cameron Field in light-blue t-shirts.

This year's seven-week camp program differs slightly from past years in that all groups meet in the Cameron Field – Meadowbrook Park area. In some past years, groups have met at other parks in town for three days of the week, and at Cameron Field on days when they used the pool. Each group has two "pool days" each week.

Besides trips, DaSilva and her counselors have organized theme days for their campers. Groups have weekly cookouts, science demonstrations, and the whole camp will celebrate the World Cup with a day when kids and counselors alike wear their favorite team's apparel.

What's unchanged from past years is the camp's focus, according to DaSilva. "What the kids like and look forward to most," she explains, "is the same every year: they like spending time with their counselors."