Photograph by Dai Sugano
Justin Yu, 7, practices his swing while 6-year-old Clayton Hutchins waits his turn during Rec. Dept. golf lessons at Congress Springs.
City's summer camps score with kids
Programs enjoy a big burst of popularity
By Steve Enders
Two years ago, a city budget committee nearly wiped out its own Recreation Department in order to save about a quarter of a million dollars annually from the city budget. Those were lean years, back when the city utility-users tax was done away with by area voters, causing a ripple effect that went straight through City Hall and forced officials to hack away at its expenses.
The programs were never cut, and although they don't know it, hundreds of kids throughout the city are thankful to the city for sparing the popular programs.
This year, Saratoga's Parks and Recreation Director Joan Pisani counts more than 100 children on the waiting list for just one of the programs, a young children's Caterpillar Camp that offers games, songs and crafts. "I'm telling people that we're not even taking any more names because I just know we won't get around to them," Pisani said. "We've had a great summer so far."
It's been so great, Pisani said, that the department's summer programs are far exceeding its own enrollment goals set earlier this year. Classes and camps are full, and the huge participation will add about $100,000 to city coffers besides instilling additional city confidence in its recreation programs.
To date, the city's summer programs have registered more than 2,200 children, ranging in age from kindergartners to high schoolers. Some of the hottest activities are the sports camps, including golf and basketball. The programs also employ about 15 recreation leaders for part-time work during the summer.
"Our camps have a good reputation," Pisani said, "and there are a lot more kids in Saratoga. Our leaders are outstanding, and the kids have fun--they keep coming back."
This year is the first time the Recreation Department has offered golf lessons, but the participants are really getting into the swing of things. The class gives three-hour lessons to 6- to 14-year-olds, and it's packed with 60 kids each morning at Congress Springs Park.
This year, the city contracted out some of its programs to an organization called Sky Hawks, which provides services, including golf lessons, to kids in summer camps all over the Bay Area. Pisani said Sky Hawks brings its own instructors--a group of collegiate-level golfers, for instance--and provides all of its own equipment as well, such as a set of clubs for each participant in the golf program.
While the sporty types tee up over at Congress Springs, the city offers a slew of science camps and teen programs and excursion adventures as well. Last week, one group of teenagers finished up their "Excellent Wet Adventure," which offered a trip to the area's slipperiest water parks.
Another full camp this summer is the Caterpillar Camp, which serves the youngest children. Pisani said the camp isn't a babysitting service, but a place for little kids to get together and learn crafts and songs, and participate in various games.
There's still some space available in a few recreation camps and classes set to begin in August. For more information, call Saratoga Parks and Recreation at 868-1248.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
