Lacey Township Offers New One-Week Summer Camps

Lacey Township children will have an opportunity this summer to find out more about science, horses and the sea through a new series of one-week summer camps offered by the township's recreation department.

“While we have always offered the traditional summer parks camp program, this year we looked to increase the offerings by bringing in specialty one-week camps,” said Director of Recreation James Wioland. “It’s important for kids to have a variety of choices. For some, sports might not appeal to them, so science might.”

Multi-Sports Camp, offered the weeks of July 25 and August 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 7 to 14 and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for 6-year-olds, will allow participants to experience more than 15 sports in one week. Similar to the multi-sports camp, Sports Squirts, for ages 3-5, will be offered the same weeks from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The science-based camps touch on almost every area of science through hands-on activities for children entering grades 1 through 6.

During Engineering Camp, children will learn the design process to build balloon-powered cars and hovercrafts, tall towers, catapults, flying saucers, and balsa bridges. Projects will give campers experience working with snap circuit systems, sound-activated switches, and LEDs. In addition, children will have the opportunity to build basic circuits when they construct their own “bristle bot.”

The engineering program will take place the weeks of July 18 and August 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

Mad Science Camp consists of two separate programs. In the "Science, the Final Frontier" portion campers will learn about the solar system and air and space travel. They will make their own balloon, air and model rockets.

In "Super Science Sampler," the instructor will touch on biology, the senses, physics, chemistry and earth science. Campers will make silly putty, ice cream and sidewalk chalk.

The Deep Blue Sea offers a program in marine biology and sea life, how the tides operate, what would happen if the ocean wasn’t salty, and how things sink and float. Campers will man their own submarine mission and build a compass, as they learn how ancient mariners navigated the seas.

For youngsters ages 3 to 5 who have an interest in horses, a Petite Equestrians program is available.

“Petite Equestrians is not horseback-riding lessons, but rather, it is about horsemanship,” said Wioland. “It’s a great introduction to horses.”

During the one-week camp, campers will learn safety on and around horses, grooming techniques and will actually get some riding time, learning how to mount, dismount and hold the reins.

“The specialty camps are designed to introduce someone to these types of programs at a reasonable price,” said Wioland. “It gives parents the option before committing to long-term private programs.”

Space is limited, so parents are urged to register soon to ensure their child’s spot. Registration must be done in person, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the recreation office, 818 Lacey Road. For questions, the township urges residents to contact recreation at 609-693-1100, ext. 2203.