32 June 2021 | parkcitiespeople.com
Camps
ARBORETUM PROGRAMMING TAKES NEW APPROACHES THIS SUMMER Plan mixes virtual discussions, at-home learning kits, with garden visits R E G I S T R AT I O N O P E N Dallas Arboretum camps begin June 7 and run through the end of July. Visit www.dallasarboretum.org/education/ other-programs/summer-camps/.
By Maddie Spera
Special Contributor
G
ive your kids a summer in the soil with camps at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The summer camps for students entering third through sixth grades have operated for 15 years and come in such options as Makers in the Garden, Energy Explorers, Dino World, Chef Camp, and SciQuest. The Arboretum is changing it up a bit this summer to keep things feeling fresh and new. Campers will still physically visit the garden on Mondays and Fridays for onsite activities. Still, for the remainder of the week, students will engage in expert-led Zoom sessions with staff and community partners.
For example, in Dino World, campers will chat with a paleontologist. Makers in the Garden will include a discussion led by the Arboretum’s director of horticulture. In addition to virtual lessons and talks, students will also participate in at-home activities, made possible by the brand new DIY Explorers learning kits. “With the learning kits for those athome activities, they’ll really have things they can use after the fact, too,” said Dustin Miller, senior director of experience and innovation. “So for the Chef Camp, they’ll be doing some experiments with molecular astronomy, and they’re also going to make quick pickles using a syringe. So they’ll be able to use some of these materials again, whereas, with the onsite camps, it’s a onetime activity.” Miller and the rest of the Arboretum staff are excited to hold camps this summer and see this as an opportunity for students to stay connected to the garden and nature while bonding with other family members or friends. Because of the camp format this year, the Arboretum is happy to offer an add-on price, where if a family has two children in
We think that the camps are familyfriendly and can also inspire the kids to think about future projects in a way that our previous camps never have before. Dustin Miller
Dallas Arboretum photo illustrations emphasize the fun planned for summer camps. (PHOTO: DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN)
the same age bracket, the second camp is half price. “All the activities really are family-focused this year,” Miller said. “When we’re doing only onsite camps, it’s about the fullday experience at the Arboretum, so there are a lot of things like hikes and projects. But this year it’s really made so that kids
can work with their families at home, like a younger brother or sister, or a cousin or neighbor. In DIY Garden, they’re creating cool gift ideas too, so maybe they can give it away to a friend. We think that the camps are family-friendly and can also inspire the kids to think about future projects in a way that our previous camps never have before.”
YMCA Opportunities: Get Paid To Go to Camp
women make up more than half of the 7 million people considered ‘out of the workforce’ in the report — who aren’t counted as unemployed — but who currently want to work. Overall, nearly 2.4 million women have exited the workforce since last February, compared with less than 1.8 million men.”
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas touts summer fun with graphics incorporating pre-pandemic images. (PHOTO: COURTESY YMCA) Got time this summer? Work for the Y. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is hiring for such part-time positions as lifeguards, swim instructors, and camp counselors and paying retention bonuses to those who work all summer. “We are excited after a difficult year due to COVID that we are once again looking to grow our organization,” said Curt Hazelbaker,
president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “Summer is traditionally a very busy time for the YMCA as kids are out of school and parents are looking for enriching summer experiences.” Job opportunities are available for teens and adults. “We have positions open not only for teens and college students looking for summer work where they can help and mentor kids but
also for those who may have lost their job or been forced out of the workforce due to COVID,” Hazelbaker said. “Our goal is to also help this group, who are disproportionately women, as we recover from COVID.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as reported by NBC News, “275,000 women left the workforce [in January], compared with 71,000 men. And
Summer is traditionally a very busy time for the YMCA as kids are out of school and parents are looking for enriching summer experiences. Curt Hazelbaker Hazelbaker hopes the Y can help. “For women struggling with childcare, those that are hired into childcare roles at the Y are able to have their children enrolled in one
of our programs at a reduced cost,” he said. In addition, the Y is offering retention bonuses for the following positions: • A $300 YMCA Summer Aquatics Retention Bonus for all qualifying Part-Time Swim Instructors and Lifeguards • A $100 Sign-On Bonus for YMCA Summer Camp Staff and a $200 Retention Bonus for all qualifying Part-Time Camp Counselors • A $300 YMCA Summer Day Camp Retention Bonus for all qualifying Part-Time Childcare Summer Day Camp Team Members To qualify, employees must begin on or before June 1, work an average of 30 hours per week through Aug. 6, have perfect attendance the weeks of July 26 and Aug. 2 of Camp, and comply with YMCA training requirements. – Staff report
NOW HIRING Visit ymcadallas.org/ employment to learn about part-time summer positions.
