Children living in Catoosa and Walker counties can enroll on a weekly or daily basis for North Georgia Community YMCA's Catoosa Camp, which goes until the first week of September.
North Georgia YMCA Executive Director John Donahoo is enrolling Y campers and will continue to do so throughout the summer."Camp is open to everyone," said North Georgia Y Executive Director John Donahoo. "There will be activities to keep children busy all summer-long."
Camp activities occur at Jack Mattox Park, Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church and Gilbert-Stephenson Park. The YMCA partners with Catoosa Recreation Department to make the camp a reality.
Donahoo said camp begins with songs, skits, a devotion and character development lessons. Campers will be able to participate in Just Dance through dance movements choreographed together.
He said children will be able to run a mile and take a swim challenge and will have learned about various sports by the summer's end. Children will also make arts and crafts each week and take a weekly field trip to places including the Chattanooga Zoo, the Coolidge Park climbing wall, the Creative Discovery Museum and the Chickamauga Battlefield.
"Our main focus is spirit, mind and body," said Donahoo. "We offer reading, writing, physical activity and games."
He said children receive a YMCA 'values' patch that gives them a chance to work toward goals throughout the summer. Campers receive small merit badges to put on the patch for participation, good behavior and resolving conflicts peacefully - by the end of the summer each camper makes at least one new friend, he said.
North Georgia YMCA's Catoosa Camp hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. But the Y offers before- and after-care that extends the hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Scholarships are available for campers from low-income families. Camp cost is $125 per week or $60 for two days per camper. To learn more, call 706-935-2226.