Summer of Discovery is an ten-week summer recreation program offered by the Department of Park and Recreation. This program, which begins Wednesday, May 28th and ends Friday, August 1st, 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.
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. Some examples of past fields trips are:
- Wellington Water Park
- All Star Sports
- Movie Theater
- Ice Sports Center
- Roller Skating
- Sedgwick County Zoo
- Pump It Up
- C Arrow Stables
- Rock River Rapids
- Tanganyika Wildlife Park
- Cici's Pizza
- Seneca Bowl
Of course we can’t forget about going swimming at the City’s outdoor pools!
There will be ten weekly themes. Participants can register for any number of weeks. 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 2008 - 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 28-30 is reduced to $51 for one child, $41 for the 2nd child, and $31 for 3 or more children. On the week of June 30-July 3, camp will not be held on the 4th of July and the weekly camp fee will be $68 for the 1st child, $58 for the 2nd child, and $48 for 3 or more children. Multiple family discounts are available to immediate family members. No extended family members such as nieces, nephews, etc. will be covered. The discounted weekly fee for the second child is $75 and the third and subsequent child(ren) is $65. The program does accept SRS participants. Very limited financial assistance is available. Contact the center of your choice for further information.