Now that summer is here and school is out, many parents are looking for activities that their children can participate in. Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation (GCPR) offers many different options for summer camps. From full day adventure camps to half day specialty camps, there is something for everyone. Separate junior camps for ages 5 and 6, in addition to camps for 7 to 13 offer different activities tailored for each specific age group.
GCPR will also be offering free swim lessons for campers at six locations this summer. Campers at Best Friend Park, Bogan Park Community Recreation Center, Dacula Park Activity Building, Lenora Park, Mountain Park Activity Building and Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center will have free swim lessons provided through funds by the Gwinnett Parks FoundationÂ’s Health and Wellness Scholarship program. These funds are raised through Live Healthy Gwinnett events and Kona IceÂ’s Kona Plays Program. The swim lessons will impact more than 450 children ages 6 to 13, with 135 hours of instruction time and value of $22,000.
 The importance of summer camps is endless. Summer camps offer kids the opportunity to be physically active; camp helps build self-confidence and self-esteem through a variety of activities that removes the competitiveness of academic school life. Kids at summer camps gain resiliency with the encouragement they receive, making it a great environment to endure setbacks and try new things. Kids develop life-long skills and become more independent, as well as have free time for unstructured play where they can have fun and be silly with their peers.
GCPR offers camps at various locations throughout the county. Summer camps offer enrichment activities, educational games, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor activities. At Gwinnett County Parks, campers have a blast in our top-notch facilities, while they explore the outdoors on the wooded trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas encouraging them to embrace environmental responsibility. Summer camps begin June 6 through July 29. For more information or to register, call 770-822-8840 or visit www.gwinnettparks.com.
In the photo: Kids receiving swim lessons. Lifeguard India White teaching Soleil how to swim while the rest of the class watches.
