Summer Camp Adding 'Learning' to Traditional Day This Year

Summer camp in East Providence takes on a new look this year – experiential learning is being added to a traditional camp day, which will run rain or shine. And there will be a special-needs camp as well. 

The camp at Pierce Field and nearby Hennessey School will be the site of the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative in addition to the usual nok hockey, swimming, arts and crafts, bowling and field trips. 

The Hasbro program is designed to address the 3-month loss of learning many children face over the summer with educational activities, field trips and projects led by certified teachers. It launched at numerous sites around RI last year. East Providence was added this year with the help of a grant from the Newman YMCA to pay the teachers. 

“It will build learning on to what we already do,” said Becky Chace of the East Providence Recreation Department. 

“It will be an outdoor recreational classroom that emphasizes learning through experience,” said Diane Sullivan, who heads the recreation department. “The program also builds an awareness of themselves and the impact they can have on a community.” 

The summer camp is 6 weeks long for 7 hours a day starting July 8 and ending Aug. 16. It is open to all East Providence children ages 6 to 15. There is a $50 a week fee per child. That fee includes a breakfast and lunch and swimming lessons.

Sullivan said the camp is now a collaboration of the recreation and school departments and the Newman YMCA.

Other community organizations, such as the East Bay Community Action Program, Books are Wings, Weaver and Riverside libraries, and the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence will provide additional support.

“Daily activities are designed for fun as well as linking to core curriculum standards,” said Chace.

The teachers design and lead the learning activities side by side with camp recreation leaders and the campers. Special field trips and guest visitors are planned for each week.

The special-needs camp will be integrated into the traditional camp as much as possible, said Chace. A maximum of 20 children can be accommodated. It will run from 9 am to 2:30 pm.

For more information or to register for the camp, contact the East Providence Recreation Department at 433-6360 or go to the office in the Senior Center building on Waterman Avenue or the Recreation Center at 100 Bullocks Point Ave.

“We’ll take registrations until the program is filled,” said Sullivan, who hopes to see up to 200 children sign up. “You have to register because fees are required up front along with a medical form.”