Summer of Discovery is an ten-week summer recreation program offered by the Department of Park and Recreation. This program, which begins Friday, May 29th and ends Friday, August 7th, is filled with exciting, fun and educational activities that will keep the participants busy all summer.
Summer of Discovery is licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and is open to children ages 6-13 that are ambulatory and able to provide for their own personal needs in a 1:15 staff to child ratio setting. Participants not meeting the above requirements must complete and submit a special needs assessment form for review before admittance into the program.
Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The core activities will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The early morning and late afternoon hours are reserved for drop-off and pick-up.
Each week is filled with exciting activities that coordinate with a fun and entertaining theme. Activities scheduled at each Recreation Center include: crafts, gym games, sports, video games, air hockey, pool, foos ball and table games such as Connect Four, Battleship, Guess Who, to name a few. Participants can also expect some on-site presentations.
Off-site activities are a big part of Summer of Discovery as the children will experience exciting and enriching field trips to Wellington Water Park, All Star Adventures, Wichita Ice Center, Roller Skating, Sedgwick County Zoo, Pump It Up, C Arrow Horse Stables, Great Plains Nature Center, Klausmeyer Dairy Farm, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, McDonald Golf Course and Seneca Bowl. Of course we can’t forget about going swimming at the City’s outdoor pools!
There will be ten weekly themes to choose from. Participants can register for as few as one as one a weekof the program or as many as all ten. Some examples of prior themes are:
- Getting to Know You
- Animal
- Great Outdoors
- Cooking
- Multicultural
- Entertainment
- Fitness
- Water
- Sports
- Independence
Download the Summer of Discovery 2009 - Theme Rotation Schedule to see which themes are offered during a certain week at each of our recreation centers.
All site Directors have a Bachelor’s Degree or comparable experience in recreation, education or related field. All staff members attend training each year in compliance with the KDHE regulations. Ratios of 1 counselor to 15 children are maintained at all times.
The full cost per week is $85 per child, which covers all field trip admission costs. No additional fees are required. Due to a shortened program week, the fee for May 29 is reduced to $17 along with the special holiday week of June 29th - July 2nd which is $68. Multiple family discounts are available to immediate family members. No extended family members such as nieces, nephews, etc. will be covered. Discount is $10 for the 2nd child and $20 for the 3rd and subsequent child. The SRS Vision Card is accepted at all locations. Contact the center of your choice for more information.
A morning and afternoon snack and beverage is provided; however, all participants must bring their own lunch and beverage packed with a "cold pack" for storage.
Registration begins April 6th for new participants. At the time of registration, a down payment of $25 per week/per child is due for each week of the program you plan to attend. (This is part of the registration fee, not in addition to it). Spaces are limited at each location so register early to ensure a spot at the facility of your choice. Register directly at the location you wish to attend from 9:00 am-noon and 1:00-7:00 pm, Monday-Friday.