Photo Credit: Courtesy of Camp Wewannago Counselors
The New Lenox Community Park District’s Camp Wewannago, for grades 1 through 7, has experienced a significant increase in enrollment each year since 2013. In fact, the number last year grew to more than 300. While some agencies have seen a drop in enrollment for summer camp-programs due to struggling economic times and rising unemployment, this has not been the case in New Lenox, Ill.
Needs Of Working Parents Identified
This camp, originally titled Day Camp, was popular with its 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. hours, but when the park district decided to change the name and lengthen its hours to accommodate working parents, its growth exploded. The park district created two supplemental programs titled Early Risers and Night Owls. These additions allowed working parents to take advantage of early-morning hours from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. before camp, as well as later evening hours from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. These extended hours were needed for parents seeking summertime childcare before, during, and after their normal work schedules, while school was not in session. When local schools were out for the summer, the district was contacted by a host of parents looking to solve their dilemma of requiring day-long care while they work. While many camp hours focus on the middle of the day, the addition of before- and after-care was the answer working parents were looking for.
The park district’s arrangement was made possible through an intergovernmental agreement with the local school district. Both the before- and after-camp programs are held in a local grade school adjacent to Camp Wewannago. However, for any camps that may be considering this service, keep in mind the arrangement does not have to be with a school. An adjacent church or community center may provide a satisfactory location. Further, with many schools, churches, or other organizations’ buildings being under-utilized during the summer months, it may be worthwhile to explore all options before committing to a location.