Rensselaer ARC Summer Camp

The ARC Summer Day Camp is a 6 week program available to children and teens between the ages of 5 and 21 who live in Rensselaer County. Our primary purpose is to provide a typical day camp experience with an emphasis on physical activities, such as organized sports and swimming. The camp site allows us to integrate some of our activities with those of the Brunswick Town Camp. The campers are placed, according to age, in groups they will remain with throughout the program. There are 3 children's groups and 3 teen's groups. Each group will have one senior counselor, at least 2 junior counselors, and one-on-one assistants when needed. The staff model the activities, and participates along with the campers. Monday through Thursday, the children's group and the teen's groups alternate their field trips as the other groups remain at camp. This allows for smaller, more appropriate activities. Each Friday is a special event day, when the entire camp is together. While the camps' focus is on physical activities, other activity areas include science and nature lessons, arts and crafts projects, and creative arts. Out of camp trips include swimming lessons, nature hikes, and visits to area environmental centers. Bowling and movies are offered on rainy days. Many of our supervisors are teaching professionals from area school districts. In addition to camp counselors, our staff includes a director, nurse, 2 lifeguards, and professionals in the activity areas mentioned above. We are fortunate to have many staff with several seasons of experience with us. The Department of Health and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities certify the operation of the program. During the 2010 season, camp will be held at Tamarac Elementary School and will run from July 6 through August 14. There will be a variety of transportation options for Campers, these include possibly receiving pick up and drop off transportation provided through the ARC or Star and Strand. All transportation options will be dependant on where they live. All children with disabilities need to be eligible for services through OMRDD and be Waiver enrolled. Families that are paying privately for camp will be responsible to pay for camp prior to the start of camp, this fee has yet to be established. Call Bill McLoughlin at 272-3805, ext 2220 for more information. Through a person-centered orientation individuals and families are assisted in identifying and accessing the services and community supports unique to their needs.