Camps

ARBORETUM PROGRAMMING TAKES NEW APPROACHES THIS SUMMER

Plan mixes virtual discussions, at-home learning kits, with garden visits

REGISTRATION OPEN

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

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

Give your kids a summer in the soil Miller, senior director of experience and inwith camps at the Dallas Arboretum novation. “So for the Chef Camp, they’ll and Botanical Garden. be doing some experiments with molec-

The summer ular astronomy, and camps for students entering third We think that the they’re also going to make quick pickles usthrough sixth grades camps are family- ing a syringe. So they’ll have operated for 15 years and come in friendly and can also be able to use some of these materials again, such options as Mak- inspire the kids to whereas, with the oners in the Garden, Energy Explorers, think about future site camps, it’s a onetime activity.” Dino World, Chef projects in a way that Miller and the rest Camp, and SciQuest. The Arboretum is our previous camps of the Arboretum staff are excited to hold changing it up a bit never have before. camps this summer and this summer to keep things feeling fresh Dustin Miller see this as an opportunity for students to stay and new. connected to the gar-

Campers will still physically visit the gar- den and nature while bonding with other den on Mondays and Fridays for onsite ac- family members or friends. tivities. Still, for the remainder of the week, Because of the camp format this year, students will engage in expert-led Zoom the Arboretum is happy to offer an add-on sessions with staff and community partners. price, where if a family has two children in

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

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 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.”

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

prestonhollowpeople.com | June 2021 31 Area Churches Consider Summer Activity Options Some remain uncertain, while others ready to resume in-person VBS, camps

By Riley Farrell

editorialassistant@peoplenewspapers.com

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, summer for Dallas churches typically meant hosting thousands of children for programs and vacation Bible schools.

Churches often view these programs as ways to reach families, and caregivers see them as safe places for children during the dog days of summer at home.

But 2020 forced programs online, and as the end of this school year nears, churches are taking various approaches to their summer programming. Here’s what some are saying:

We’re full of excitement as people are signing up and expressing their joy about being able to offer summer camps and activities in person and have their kids safely gather with friends. Lori Swarner

Park Cities Baptist Church

Park Cities Baptist Church will use a variety of approaches with its VBS and summer day camps: in-person, virtual, indoor, and outdoor accommodations. Of course, this summer looks starkly different than last year when the member of the Baptist General Convention of Texas

Park Cities Baptist Church is looking forward to offering in-person programs this summer.

(PHOTO: PARK CITIES BAPTIST CHURCH)

did not have in-person VBS or day camps. But PCBC did offer “Virtual VBS,” where families could tune in every day for music, teaching, and activities.

As this summer in 2021 draws near, PCBC’s Summer Fun Camps are back, and registration is open. PCBC is offering VBS in three ways: in-person during the daytime, virtually June 7-11, and in-person during the evening June 2325.

“We’re full of excitement as people are signing up and expressing their joy about being able to offer summer camps and activities in person and have their kids safely gather with friends,” said PCBC communications director Lori Swarner.

Grace Bible Church

Grace Bible Church, located on Inwood Road, is not presently hosting VBS, said GBC office assistant Olivia Dittrich. However, Dittrich added, Pine Cove Camp is partnering with GBC on June 21-25 for Camp in the City, available for first through sixth graders in the Dallas area. Monday through Friday, the program includes activities and Bible studies.

Park Cities Presbyterian Church

Last summer, Park Cities Presbyterian Church provided an all-online VBS. PCPC created a seven-year rotation of VBS curriculum, so church employees could take last years’ material and make it available online to anyone who wanted to participate.

This summer is less certain for PCPC, said communications director Shawn Davis.

“We are making plans, but we’re holding all plans very loosely,” said Davis. “We have a team of doctors that are continuing to help us assess the situation on a week-toweek basis.”

Christ the King Catholic Church

Christ the King Catholic Church is not publicly announcing any summer programs. If members of this Catholic Church are interested in this information, executive communications director Aurelia Corbitt said they should check in with their parish for summer plans.

Highland Park United Methodist Church

HPUMC’s summer calendar is published on the church’s website. From June to August, youth programs include “Crave,” a bible study for middle schoolers that meets at the Tolleson Family Activity Center on Wednesdays, and “Blueprint,” a mission trip for students in seventh through 12th grade. From July 5 to 10, HPUMC’s mission trip will work in restoring homes for elderly, disabled, and low-income residents in San Antonio, and costs $550 per student.

MAKE PLANS NOW

PCBC’s Summer Fun Camps and VBS Registration: pcbc.org

Camp in the City: a collaboration between Grace Bible Church and Pine Cove Camp: pinecove.com/city/ grace-bible-dallas/

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