With activities such as field trips to GameWorks at Great Lakes Crossing Mall and Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, it’s no wonder why Discovery Teen Camp is a hit with its participants.
‘You get to meet new friends and go places on the field trips,? Adriane Reinett, Discovery camper, said. ‘It gives you something to do in the summer. That’s my favorite part.?
Running throughout the entire summer, Discovery Teen Camp is a program aimed at sixth through ninth graders from the Independence Township Parks and Recreation Department. The main focus is field trips, whether to a local beach or somewhere farther away.
‘We go on field trips almost every day,? Maureen Jones, Discovery counselor, said. ‘We go to beaches, waterparks, play sports and even do arts and crafts.?
Campers had the opportunity to sign up for the weekly-based camp on a week-by-week basis as well as before and after care supervision, if needed. Both were perks to parents working during the summer months. This summer’s enrollment featured more than 100 campers.
‘It’s especially helpful to parents,? counselor Stacey Mercado said.
The relaxed atmosphere of the camp gave students a chance to enjoy themselves. Some rules, such as regular lunch times, found in younger camps were not enforced at the Discovery Teen Camp.
‘We try to make it an older day camp,? Mercado said.
Discovery didn’t just stay strictly to the Clarkston area. Trips to Four Bears waterpark in Utica and the Detroit Science Center were some of the bigger trips. A trip to Cedar Point on the last day will end this summer’s trips.
‘I like the field trips we go on,? Mariah Rogers, camper, said. ‘I went a couple years ago and it was fun.?
Camp activities are not limited to field trips. Discovery campers and staff held a car wash for Clarkston’s recent Relay for Life. Fund-raising efforts by the group totalled more than $170.
‘We do so many things,? Jones said.
Since the camp is focused primarily at middle school students, campers from both Clarkston Middle School and Sashabaw Middle School had the opportunity to meet one another, some for the very first time.
‘It’s fun for the kids,? Mercado said. ‘There’s a lot of Clarkston/Sashabaw interaction.?
In addition to the mixed-school interaction, a chance to spend time with students in different grades, even the counselors, was a benefit in disguise from the camp.
‘It’s a good way to interact with different grades before going to high school,? Jones said.
Not only did the campers enjoy hanging out with the older counselors, the staff members liked spending time with their younger students.
‘You hang out with the kids all day and they like hanging out with you, too,? Kathi Wiegand, counselor, said.
Mercado also had similar feelings.
‘It’s easy to see myself in the kids,? Mercado said.
For the counselors, not only did they take away fun experiences of thier time with the campers, but the ability to have an exciting summer job.
‘I like getting to know the kids and counselors really well,? Jones said. ‘We have a really happy camp.?
Even when not en route to another different destination, Discovery Teen Camp kept all its attendees, both campers and staff alike, entertained during the summer months.
‘There’s always something to do,? John Chesley, counselor, said. ‘You’re never bored.?