City of Santa Paula Summer Camp fun continues

By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula TimesNational Parks and Recreation Month was recognized by the City Council, who received an update on the various programs offered by the city that not only entertain and challenge area children and youth, but also offer job training for the future. Recreation Supervisor Ed Mount received the proclamation from Mayor Mary Ann Krause, who noted that the poster created for the national recognition notes “celebrate,” a good indicator of the mission and goals of such departments.In honor of the designated month, Mount presented a program “that I’m very proud of, our summer camps. As you can tell, the children have so much fun they wanted to have summer camps even here at City Hall” during the meeting, where dozens of kids gathered to enjoy ice cream.The program serves an average of 75 children a day, and offers a wide variety of activities. “We try to keep our children busy; it keeps them wanting to come back.... They have a fun alternative after two or three weeks of summer vacation when they become bored.”Mount said that programs offered range from arts and crafts to sports. Each Wednesday, there is a special event including sack races or balloon tosses, even Polynesian dancers who instruct the children.Activities are conducted throughout the city - including at Ebell Park - and feature going to the movies, a Fiesta Day and the end of summer Penny Carnival. “We have a variety of activities in the community” that can range from taking a walk to Foster Freeze for an ice cream to a Dodger game or Magic Mountain.This year, a pilot program was launched for children 12 and 13 years old, and “So many want to come....” Mount noted that recreation volunteers are 9th and 10th grade students who are “dedicated, out there every day,” and he asked many present at the meeting to introduce themselves to the council, including several who were program participants as young children.