The YMCA of Chilton County kicked off its children’s summer camp last week and has room for more girls and boys ages 4–13 to join in the fun.

Summer camp at the Y is Monday–Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 16.

Activities include outdoor sports and games, swimming, field trips, and arts and crafts, with breaks for campers to have picnic style lunches and snacks.

Playing dodge ball, fishing at Minooka Park in Jemison and making friendship bracelets are just three of the activities available for campers.

YMCA Executive Director Mary Beth Wyatt described summer camp as “never a dull moment.”

Campers also have opportunities to learn from guest speakers like Regional Extension Agent Josh Elmore of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, who spoke to them about fire ants last week.

Wyatt said local churches are scheduled to hold one-day Bible School sessions, and 4-H representatives will hold a science camp.

“We try to do something different every week so that they don’t get tired of the schedule,” Wyatt said. “Most of these kids, if they weren’t with us, they would be at home alone or watching TV. All the games and activities they do are to reinforce the Y values.”

The core values Wyatt referred to are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Campers can earn prizes for displaying these values as they participate in activities throughout the day.

Data provided by the Y shows that 134 parents were able to work in the summer of 2012 knowing their children were safe at YMCA summer camp, and 64 of the parents would not have been able to afford childcare.

As a result, the Y gave $12,792 in scholarships.

Since the Y is a charitable, non-profit organization, donors are a large source of funding for Y programs such as summer camp.

For instance, a $70 donation could send a child to summer day camp for a week, and $100 covers eight swimming lessons for two children.

Rates for summer camp at the Y are as follows: $70 per week or $20 daily for members; $90 per week or $30 daily for non-members; a non-refundable yearly registration fee of $25; and a non-refundable camp T-shirt fee of $10.

A $5 discount off weekly rates is available for additional siblings in a family.

Campers should wear comfortable clothing, as well as socks and tennis shoes (no sandals or flip-flops) since they will be mostly outside running and playing every day.

They should also bring a swimsuit and sunscreen. Towels will be provided.

Each camper should bring three snacks, lunch and three to four drinks every day in an insulated lunch cooler.

The Y asks that at least one of the drinks be water in a refillable bottle.

All YMCA staff members are CPR certified and childcare trained.

For more information or to register a child for camp, visit the YMCA of Chilton County at 405 Ollie Ave. in Clanton, or call (205) 755-2382.