Summer Youth Program
The Hillsdale program is entering its third year in the Roeliff Jansen Park. After migrating from the small town park behind Hillsdale Town Hall where it ran for many years, we’re pleased that the Hillsdale Outdoor Park Explorers is in demand and can accommodate 60 children. Though our mission is to provide a safe and fun-filled summer program for local youth, we’re also committed to making sure its engaging, educational and purposeful.
Highlights from 2010:
- During the summer of 2010, the Program expanded to 60 children (ranging in age from 5 to 11), and was staffed by 3 adult teacher/leaders and a college-age counselor and 2 Counselor-in-training youths.
- The program ran for six weeks from late June through early August and took place on Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.
- Campers took daily hikes on the parks trails, often with binoculars and field guides, learned about the natural world and investigated stream ecology in weekly sessions with Outdoor educator, Fran Martino.
- Campers worked in the community garden twice a week during the 2010 session with community gardener, Willa Horton. Campers snacked healthily on produce planted earlier in the growing season and planted and tended vegetables which at the end of the summer were donated to the Roe Jan Community Food Pantry
- Community volunteers provided a wide variety of interesting programming for campers – from pottery- making, assembling a weather station, making nature-based crafts, learning survival skills, and learning about beekeeping.
- Swimming lessons were also available to the children every Friday at Taconic Hills Central School.
2011 Summer Youth Program Forms:
Rules for the Hillsdale Park Summer Recreation Program
Rules Agreement for the Hillsdale Park Summer Program
Camper’s Application Hillsdale Summer Recreation Program
Contact:
Joseph Raco – Summer Program Director
P.O. Box 305
Hillsdale, NY 12529
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