Children involved with the Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation Summer Day Camp 2018 are in for a magical summer starting June 11.

Jeff Lewis, director of Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation said this is the first year WCCPR is providing two options for varying age groups, one camp for ages 5 through 10 years old and another for ages 11 and 12.

The summer program’s theme for both groups is “A Magical Summer” and will focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) based activities. It will last from June 11 until Aug. 3. Camp days will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Camp primarily focuses on things on campus as far as structured activities,” Lewis said. “We swim at least three days a week.”

Each day, campers will rotate through gross motor activities and learning stations, participate in playground, soccer field activities or swimming time as well as enjoy music, dancing, basketball and grassy area activities.

Special events this year includes “Painting with Winchester” which includes local artists teaching campers the craft, disc golf demos, 4-H visit, dentist visit and Healthy Me with a University of Kentucky Health Department Representative.

The cost of the 8-week full camp is $450 for Parks and Recreation members and $500 for non-members per child. Weekly the cost is $125 for both members and non-members.

Lunch and snacks are provided. There is also a $100 non-refundable deposit at sign up to reserve a space for camp. Campers must be paid in full before attending camp.

Camp 2.0 is for campers ages 11 and 12. Camp 2.0 is designed to address the needs of the tween crowd with age-appropriate large group projects and activities, according to its website. The Camp 2.0 group will also have opportunities throughout the summer to connect with the community.

Large group activities will include arts, projects, community service and field-trips. Camp 2.0 special events include “Painting with Winchester,” disc golf demos, 4-H visit, Leeds performance, community service projects, artisan projects, Healthy Me with a University of Kentucky Health Department Representative and walking trips to community parks.

The cost and time frames are the same for both camps. Early drop off options between 7 and 8 a.m. will be provided for a $50 fee for 8 weeks or $10 for one week. Campers must be identified and paid as an “early drop off camper” to arrive before 8 a.m. and must be indicated on registration forms.

Lewis said the cost breaks down to about $13 a day, and there are scholarships available.

“We’ve never had to turn a kid away,” he said.

WCCPR encourages online registration. Paper forms should be submitted to the WCCPR front desk.

Lewis said both camps are an opportunity for kids to have structured time spent away from technology.

“It’s basically structured time playing, doing something creative, swimming,” he said. “It prevents kids from sitting around all day doing nothing.”