Summer Fun Club is a great way to keep kids busy

Date: 6/29/2010

June 30, 2010.

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent

CHICOPEE -- Field trips to Ocean Beach in Connecticut and to Look Park in Northampton are only two examples of the adventures that await young people during the Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee's Summer Fun Club.

Started on June 28, summer camp will encompass a wide variety of sports, arts and crafts, nature programs, swim lessons, roller skating, and special field trips.

Daily lunches and an afternoon snack are included as part of the program, as well as a camp T-shirt for all enrollees. Sign-ups are now underway.

A new camp feature this summer includes a performing arts component in collaboration with Elms College and Holyoke Catholic High School, according to Cecile Larose, development director.

Summer camp runs through Aug. 20 and features eight sessions for children as follows: June 28 to July 2; July 6 to 9 ; July 12 to 16; July 19 to 23; July 26 to 30; Aug. 2 to 6; Aug. 9 to 13 and Aug. 16 to 20. Adventure Club field trips are for ages six to nine while the Explorer Club field trips are for ages 10 to 12.

Program hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, with an early drop-off period from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. A late pick up period is available from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for an additional fee.

Fees are $130 per week with the exception of session two, July 6 to 9, which is $120 due to the July 4 holiday. A nonrefundable $30 deposit per session is required at the time of registration for each child. A one-time nonrefundable registration fee of $25 is required at the time of registration for nonmembers. Fees include all activities, T-shirt, trips, snack and lunch. The summer food service program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Registration forms are available online at www.bgcchicopee.org or by visiting the club on Meadow Street.

To view photos of last year's summer camp, visit the club's blog located at bgcchicopee-summerfunclub.blogspot.com. During the summer, the blog will be updated weekly regarding lunch offerings and schedules.