The town of Union is planning to carry again its summer time day camp in 2023 however with modifications supposed to include monetary losses.
The camp returned in 2022 for the primary time in 5 years. It drew 35 campers over three periods, with the periods beginning in June, the week after the Union R-XI College District ended lessons for the summer time, and the final session concluding in August the week earlier than faculty began for fall.
Whereas the camp generated $25,415, all from camper charges, it posted $49,095 in bills, in accordance with metropolis statistics. That features $45,180 in salaries and $3,916 in provides and different prices.
In all, the camp misplaced $23,680.
“I feel it was profitable, by the variety of youngsters that participated,” Metropolis Administrator Jonathan Zimmermann stated on the Jan. 5 Park Advisory Board assembly. “Sadly, our bills had been over our income by fairly a bit.”
Among the many modifications being thought of is growing charges from the 2022 fee of $100 per camper, per week, with a reduction to $75 for extra campers from the identical family.
The town can also be contemplating making use of to the United Manner for a grant, however that gained’t be prepared in time for the 2023 summer time camp.
“That needs to be performed in October of every yr,” Zimmermann stated, including that Washington acquired about $9,000 from United Manner for its camp.
The town initially needed to carry the road on the price of the camp to attempt to get extra participation, however may need to make some modifications, Zimmermann stated. “We in all probability simply supplied it somewhat too low,” he stated.
Zimmermann expects to boost the charges to $130-$140 per camper, per week and eradicate the reductions for a number of youngsters from the identical dwelling. The camp runs from 6 a.m. to six p.m. weekdays.
Parks Program Coordinator Angie Breeden stated that’s nonetheless a great deal.
“You need to keep in mind, per week for day care is like $180 now,” she stated.
The town may also eradicate permitting campers to spend a part of the day on the camp at a decrease fee throughout summer time faculty. That required town to have a workers member readily available to satisfy college students as they arrived.
“Plus, typically the bus can be behind, they’d must be on the market ready,” Breeden stated. “We didn’t know the place the bus was. It’s not value it.”
One other value saving measure mentioned was getting sponsors for T-shirts given to every camper.
Board member Theresa Lanham stated she is aware of somebody who had her little one on the camp and was advised the teenager counselors had been “not very good.” “They weren’t pleasant, they had been very brief with the children,” she stated. “They had been distracted simply.”
If individuals don’t really feel comfy speaking to the camp director, they’ll speak to parks division officers on the Metropolis Auditorium or go to Metropolis Corridor, Zimmermann stated. “Don’t preserve it quiet, tell us when there’s a difficulty,” he stated.
The town has to tug seasonal staff from concession stands and the Splash-N-Swimplex for the camp, with some 15 yr olds working, Breeden stated. “They had been truly working a job that they actually weren’t focused on taking,” she stated.
Lanham added that her personal grandson attended the camp and “had a blast.” “He doesn’t dwell full-time on this space,” she stated. “So he bought to satisfy quite a lot of youngsters in his neighborhood that he didn’t see earlier than, and he actually loved it.”
Actions on the camp in 2022 included going to the pool and taking part in video games within the auditorium on days it was too scorching to go outdoors. Breeden stated they’re contemplating having packages with the College of Missouri Extension in 2023.
The camp is efficacious in giving youngsters a substitute for taking part in laptop video games or getting in hassle, board member Dan Hittson stated. “That’s good for our group, all the best way round,” he stated.
Others stated phrase nonetheless must get out concerning the camp.
“It’s going to take time to appreciate the camp is again,” board member Jeannie Stevens added.
Finally, town desires the camp to interrupt even financially, in accordance with officers. Zimmermann expressed confidence in Parks Director Chad Pohlmann’s means to perform that by adjusting charges and making use of for grants.
Whereas a price was not decided, the park board unanimously really helpful maintaining the camp in 2023, whereas eliminating half days. A ultimate resolution rests with the board of aldermen.
