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Among all the traditions that continue from year to year at YMCA Camp Sloper there is always something new and exciting each season. This year is no exception as the camp has expanded their playscape and specialty camp offerings, and revised the overnight program to be more family focused.

Utilizing funds generated by the Camp Improvement Fee, money paid by families to improve camp, the existing playscape has been expanded to include more ways to be physically active and have fun by the shores of Sloper Pond. The original Mama Cass Playscape was built in 1999. With a growing population of campers it was in need of being enlarged. The expansion includes two new slides, a mountain climbing element, a new set of monkey-bars, a rolling log, and other new features. It is sure to be a favorite spot for the preschool and the kindergarten through grade 5 campers who utilize it each summer.

“The playscape has always been one of the most popular spots at Sloper, both for the campers and the YMCA members that visit in the off-season” said Mark Pooler, camp director “When we built the original playscape, we planned for an addition in the future. This addition completely fills up the wood chipped play area and I think the kids are really going to love it”.

YMCA Camp Sloper provides specialty camp opportunities for campers each year. Some specialty camps have already filled, but others still have space available. To keep pace with the changing interests of the campers, YMCA Camp Sloper has added several new program offerings which have proven to be very popular. Rocket Science Camp, and Photography camp were among the most popular new additions and are already filled up.

Junior Lifeguard Camp still has some openings for campers who want to learn what it takes to be a lifeguard and enjoy the Waterpark, Iceberg, and other fun activities on Sloper Pond. With Cross Country running being a popular sport at the middle and high school level, the camp is offering Cross Country Camp as an opportunity for runners entering grades 6-9 to continue their training throughout the summer, or for those who are interested in trying out the sport to get a jump start on training for the next school year. Guitar players with intermediate or advanced skills who are entering grades six to nine can participate in Guitar Camp. Group lessons, jam sessions, song writing, and more will be led by an experienced guitar player.

“Offering new specialty camps each summer has been a tradition at YMCA Camp Sloper. This year’s camps are at the request of campers from last summer,” Pooler said.

Overnights have been a longstanding tradition at YCMA Camp Sloper. This year the camp has modified the format to a more family focused approach to overnights. The new format incorporates a Parent-Child overnight which will take place on the Saturday between weeks one and two of each session. Parents and their camper will spend the evening participating in activities run by camp staff and then sleepover in their own tent after an evening campfire. Any camper, regardless of their age, can participate with their parent in this new format.

“With all the busy schedules that working parents have during the week, this is a perfect opportunity to spend some quality time together as a family,” Pooler said. “We are letting the parents in on all the fun the campers and staff have had in years past. I think it is a great change and we are looking forward to this summer and the first Parent-Child overnight.”

Teens have traditionally had a special night at camp each session to spend time with their peers in a safe, supervised setting without their parents. The new Teen Night will replace the West Coast Overnight. The night is for all West Coast campers and will include activities run by the camp staff from 7 to 10 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each session. Campers will then go home to sleep and return to camp the next day. “We know that our teens may not want to hang out with Mom and Dad on the overnights…so the teen nights are a great way to get everyone together and have some fun, supervised time together. We are going to have dances, contests, performances, and other cool programs going on for our teen campers this summer,” Pooler said.

YMCA Camp Sloper will offer four, two-week sessions running from July 5 to Aug. 27, as well as a one-week preview from June 28 to July 2. The day camp program runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with extended camp care available if needed. YMCA Camp Sloper serves children ages 3 to 15 years old. Bus transportation is provided for residents of Southington, Cheshire, Berlin/Kensington and New Britain. There is no bus transportation for Wanderers. Financial assistance is available for qualified families who live in Southington and Cheshire.

A final Open House will be held on Wednesday, June 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Anyone interested in learning more about the camp is encouraged to attend. The staff will be available to answer questions, give tours, and do registrations on-site. Each child who attends receives a free gift. For further information about YMCA Camp Sloper visit the website at www.ymcacampsloper.org.

— Camp Sloper, Southington-Cheshire YMCA