Pirate youngsters have a bloody, fun time at YMCA

Pirates from left to right are Caitlin Walp, Paige Causey, George Adams, Shelby Roy and Lauren Friend.

By: ELIZABETH ROY
and BRIAN HODGE

If you enter the Grandview Family YMCA this summer you’re likely to be met with smiling faces and excited laughter.  The theme this summer, “Summer of Imagination,” promises to have a magical excitement racing through children.  
  Non-stop action is the order of the day, everyday at Camp Grandview. The activities at 9 a.m. and do not stop until it is time to go home.  Everyone is always on the go with something to do.  In between swimming lessons, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, archery and paddle boating, the counselors play various games with the children, keeping them constantly occupied.  
Day Camp Director Matt Norris and his staff of counselors strive to make the Day Camp Experience a joy for all the children and to help them grow stronger physically, mentally and spiritually. 
“We’re trying to bring back the camp atmosphere,” said Norris.
In keeping with that goal, Norris and staff have implemented a merit and award system of earning beads.  The first week at camp, the children made name tag necklaces that hold the beads that they earn.  
Norris says that having a bead system and allowing children to earn prizes helps them develop a variety of skills. Campers get exposure to basic saving and budget concepts, teamwork which is used to earn certain team beads and even leadership. There is even a counselor bead that is given to the most exemplarily child of the group.
Saskia Johnson, a resident of Millbrook, had enrolled her son into the summer program.  
“It’s good for him to see that young adults are mentors, to see that kids have responsibility too,” she said.
Each week during the “Summer of Imagination,” each week has its own separate theme.  This past week was Pirates of the Grand Caribbean.  Many of the children showed their pirate pride by flashing their gold doubloons, sashes and tattoos.  
Every Friday the campers participate in “all camp,” where children participate in activities as a large group. 
Competitions, most campers’ favorite part of all camp, is usually split pitting the camp’s boys against the girls. The all camp activity last week was a treasure hunt, where everyone at the YMCA followed maps and clues (provided by counselors) to search for the buried treasure.