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ALACHUA ‒ Summer is here and school is out, leaving children with limited activities and social interaction with other children—and parents with few options to watch their children on work days.

For some parents it becomes a choice between working to earn an income or staying with their children when school is out. To help parents and offer a variety of activities and programs to children, the City of Alachua's Recreation and Culture Department, in partnership with the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, is providing eight weeks of summer camp June 6 through July 29.

The camps are held at the Legacy Park Recreation Complex, which offers an indoor area with basketball courts, a stage and classrooms for movies and learning activities as well as a concession stand. Outside offers an all-inclusive playground, sports fields for soccer, baseball and football and park benches for outdoor meals.

The camp offers an opportunity for children to make their summer break from school an “adventure” to be remembered and also to burn off all that energy that youngsters seem to have an endless supply of, and hopefully build a few new friendships along the way. Camp activities include sports games, music and dance, various games, playground time, artwork, splash park, swimming, movies, weekly field trips, and more.

The camps runs every weekday and over 180 elementary and middle school students signed up for both half-day and full-day sessions. The full day program runs from 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are part of the package in compliance with the Alachua County School Board's summer nutrition guidelines.

Although the program costs $400 for the entire course, the Children’s Trust of Alachua County sponsored 100 full and partial scholarships based on household income and need, so that everyone had an opportunity to participate in the program.

The camp is an example of Alachua’s focus on providing resources, opportunities and activities that benefit local residents and provide opportunities for youth.

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email rcarson@

alachuatoday.com

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