Summer Programs

Making exercise, learning and nutrition fun

Kids on Campus completed its 14th year of summer programming in 2009 with a session that drew 186 children, most of whom qualified for free or reduced-price school lunches.

The six-week program took place on Ohio University’s Athens campus from June 24 to July 31 and divided children into three age groups: Bobcat Camp for those entering first or second grade; Explorer Camp for those entering third or fourth grade; and Adventure Camp for those entering fifth or sixth grade. Following are highlights of the overall program.

• Participants took part in activities that included reading, science, technology and physical activities such as swimming.
• The program introduced two new activities this year: Green Time, which stressed recycling and conservation, and woodworking, which enabled the children to build their own toolboxes, birdhouses and other wood items.
• The program hosted a field day that involved nine recreational stations for children to enjoy, and a talent show in which teams took turns performing.
• The program organized field trips and visits from various artists and performers.
• About a quarter of the children who began the program had special needs, including attention deficit disorder or a learning disability.
• Most children in the program rode the buses that Kids on Campus provided, and 68 percent of participating families said that without bus transportation, they would not have been able to take part in the program.
• Ohio University Dining Services, provided the program with breakfast and lunch.
• The median family income of program applicants was $22,085, which is below the $27,322 median income for Athens County.
• Students came to the program from all five school districts in Athens County, with the Athens City School District accounting for nearly half of participants.
• A survey showed that 95 percent of parents rated the summer program as either above average or excellent.