Summer camp sign-ups begin this week: Here's what you need to know
Spring hasn't even sprung yet, but it's already time to start thinking about how to get the kids out of the house this summer. With registration opening early at several camps in the area, parents had best get the jump on signing up their school-age children for something to occupy their time besides TV and video games.
For example, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks has been moving its registration date up each year because many working parents need to plan well in advance, according to Jill Snyder, Metro Parks visitor engagement manager.
"It's crazy ... we always used Tax Day as our registration day, but over the years, it's become earlier and earlier," she said. "Last year, we did the end of February and we're trying to move it up this year to the beginning of the month."
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Registration dates for Metro Parks camps are still being finalized, Snyder said, adding that interested parents should continue checking the website at metroparks.net/summercamps. Emails also will be sent to past campers' parents notifying them when registration opens.
"We do two different registration dates — the first one is for Franklin County residents and the second is for everyone outside the county. A lot of them get full with just Franklin County residents, Snyder said. "Most of our camps fill pretty fast, I think because they have a lot of outside activities for kids to keep their bodies moving."
Here are several other camps that will be opening enrollment early — some as soon as Jan. 9.
City of Columbus Recreation and Parks
Numerous community centers will be offering themed, weeklong camps for youth ages 6 to 12 from June through August.
Registration for outdoor recreation camps will take place online and in person at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 for Columbus residents and 7 p.m. for those in neighboring areas. Enrollment for all other camps will be held online and in person at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 for Columbus residents and 7 p.m. for others.
While it's typical for Parks and Rec to begin registration in February, it's not the norm to offer a registration time specifically for Columbus residents, Recreation and Parks community relations chief Dominique Shank said.
"We usually don't do that. In previous years, when registration opened, it was a free-for-all," she said. "This resulted in Columbus residents not getting enough slots."
Details including camp dates and locations are coming soon to columbusrecparks.com/community/summer-camps.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Parents should make haste if they're hoping to get their children into one of Franklin Park's popular programs, which range from exploring the curious, crawly world of bugs to cultivating and harvesting gardens.
"Franklin Park Conservatory typically fills most spots the day registration opens," camp and scout program lead Casey Backus said.
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"This year, more 3- and-4-year-old summer camp options have been added to meet the high demand. We do experience cancellations. If we have contacted the entire waitlist, we may have last-minute openings. It's a good idea to check our website later in the year."
Online sign-ups for members will begin early next week. Dates and times are scheduled for different age groups. Member registrations will be held:
11 a.m. Jan. 9 — Ages 3 to 4 (half-day)
11 a.m. Jan. 10 — Ages 5 to 6 (full day)
11 a.m. Jan. 11 — Ages 7 to 8 (full day)
Please be aware that Franklin Park will be using a virtual waiting room for the member registration process during high-demand web-traffic periods to ensure smooth, orderly registration.
Nonmember registration will open at 11 a.m. Jan. 15.
To register and learn more about the camps, visit fpconservatory.org/education-programs/camps.
YMCA of Central Ohio
The Y offers camps devoted to performing and visual arts, learning about countries and cultures around the world, science, water games/swimming, various sports and many other activities. Day and overnight camps are available.
Online registration for YMCA day camps opens at 7 a.m. Feb. 1 at ymcacolumbus.org/school-age/daycamp. In-person registration at your location of choice will open March 1. For overnight camps, register now at ymcacampwillson.org/summer-camp-overnight-camp.
In addition to the regular camps, teens 16 to 17 can train to become future camp staffer members through the Counselors-in-Training program, which focuses on group dynamics, problem-solving, and leadership and camping skills. The CIT program helps teens learn responsibility that will benefit them not only at camp but also at home. CITs also are asked to volunteer for at least one week during the summer.
Columbus College of Art and Design
CCAD's Creative Summer Workshops provide young artists with instruction in media including art and design, painting, animation, digital comics, botanical art, fashion design, game development, printmaking, 3D illustration, puppetry and more. Enrollment opens Jan. 9 at ccad.edu/youthclasses.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Summer camp registration beginning early in Columbus
