NEWTON, N.H. — Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill, many of whom spend most of their summer in the inner city, are escaping to Camp Tasker this summer for a refreshing change in their environment.
The summer day camp located on the shores of Country Pond in Newton, New Hampshire, and surrounded by pine trees offers boating, fishing, volleyball, soccer, flag football, baseball, basketball, swimming in the pond or in one of two above ground pools, games and crafts to keep kids active while also having fun.
In the air-conditioned art recreation building, kids can participate in themed activities each week. The first week of camp, June 24-28, was Farm Week and kids participated in activities such painting flower pots and planting seeds in their pots to take home and creating scenes of a chicken’s life cycle out of craft materials.
”Our fun Fridays are based on a theme, and on Friday, June 28, we brought in Zoo Creatures, which presented a show of reptiles and other animals,” said Camp Director Brandon Suero. “Other themed weeks include All American week, which is the week of the Fourth of July and features a big cookout along with the Kona Ice truck.”
Kids can paddle around the pond in kayaks and canoes.
”When the councilors go out with them the kids take turns paddling,” Suero said. “But before anyone can get in a canoe or kayak, or even swim in the pond or our pools, they have to take a swim test where a lifeguard determines their swimming ability. If they don’t have basic swim skills, they must wear life jackets. and at the pond, they all must wear life jackets whether they can swim well or not.”
Lunch is a hot meal where kids get their choice of pizza, hamburgers, hot-dogs, nachos, chicken patty sandwiches and either water, apple juice or milk along with a side of fresh fruit or vegetables.
The camp runs from June 24 to Aug. 23, roughly coinciding with the end of the school year and start of the new school year.
About 120 kids attend this day camp each day and are transported by bus from and to the Boys & Girls Club. Campers arrive at 9 a.m. and leave at 3:30 p.m. each weekday.
To sponsor a child’s campership or to donate to the club, visit online haverhillbgc.org/donate.html.