The Sedona Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up for what’s expected to be another busy season for youth activities. Recreation Coordinator Ali Baxter said she’s pleased with the variety of summer camps available to local kids.
“Six weeks with six unique opportunities is an awesome offering for our community,” she said. “I am excited to be offering two full-day camp opportunities, as well. That was some of the feedback we’ve received in year’s past that we were able to accommodate this year.”
As of noon on Monday, May 20, the programs and potential openings included:
- The Posse: Three openings
- Arizona Science Center: Seven openings
- British Soccer Camp: Unlimited openings
- Yavapai College 4 Kids: Six openings
- Lego Engineering Camp: Full
- Self-Propelled Bike Camp: Full
“Traveling activities will be new this year for The Posse, which is the camp I write the curriculum for and is staffed by Parks and Recreation,” Baxter said. “This camp will get the opportunity to travel to the Sedona Wetlands Preserve and tour the wastewater facility as well as the wetlands facilities. We will also get to take a tour at Sedona Recycles.”
Partnering with Yavapai College, the department is offering YC College 4 Kids Sedona, which has been a couple of years in the making. This camp will be field-trip-based all five days. This program will emphasize sustainability, kids’ roles at home and the environment with hands-on learning opportunities.
“All-day camp opportunities are also new this year and extremely well received,” she said. “Our two all-day camp opportunities were first to fill and fast.”
The Posse, British Soccer Camp, Lego Engineering Camp and Self-Propelled Bike Camp are all in their third summer. As with any new program, Baxter said the first year offering camps took a bit for them to catch on. Camps were full by the time registration ended, but by year three they had to establish a registration opening date to give themselves the time to get all advertising out to the public prior to the camps filled.
“It’s an amazing problem to have,” she said. “It’s my goal to provide what the public wants, and seeing registrations full means I’m reaching that goal. We are excited to be offering summertime activities for the kids in our community and we are thankful for the parents who register their children and participate.”
In addition to the youth activities, this summer Parks and Recreation will offer family programs such as Red Dirt Concerts, Summer Cinema Series and 4th of July Wet Fest.
For more information on any of the summer programs, call 282-7098 or visit sedonaaz.gov and click on the Parks and Recreation link.
Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 122 or by email at reland@larsonnewspapers.com
