Rec Camp 2008 has come to a close in Oakland, and the hustle and bustle gives way to just a few weeks of hazy, lazy days before school starts. This years town program offered a lot of activities and fun, but also provided an opportunity to learn lessons about leadership. There were 5 counselors and junior counselors for each group of campers and they all did a fantastic job. Some will be going off to college this fall, and they can take with them the inspiration of having earned the respect, admiration, and affection of their young charges. All of them will find that they have become better students by spending a summer teaching and offering guidance to others.
With the help of many others, Mark Durando and Drew Schaefer coordinated a great summer for workers and kids alike. The lunch staff, the nurse, clean up crews all made for a positive experience for those involved. For the third straight year, thanks to Dr. Richard Heflich, Mayor John Szabo and the Town Council, the camp hours were extended from 9am to 3pm. And thanks to the Board of Ed, rainy days did not lead to a canceled day of camp but were held at Valley Middle School. As Dr. Heflich stated in his Cross Roads message “our schools are more and more becoming twelve months centers for learning, as well as community centers in general.” This was a major benefit for the many households where both parents are working, and inclement weather led to a rush or rescheduling or missed work .
The campers themselves had a great time. There were games and crafts; water fun
included special days with waterslides; and the carnival finale was a great celebration to end the season. The talent show presented by the campers was packed with parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters. The rec camp provided the youngest citizens of Oakland and opportunity to learn the fundamentals of making new friends, cooperation, and respect for others. The counselors did an excellent job in showing that there’s a lot of fun that does not require a television or computer, and that’s a hard lesson to teach, but a good lesson to learn when you’re young.
