Above: Rec is about to open sign-up for their summer camp (images from brochure)
Two years ago, the Town’s Summer Camp filled up in about a day. Last year, they launched a two day window for residents to sign up kids before allowing the public at large. According to Rec Director Tim Davis, camp still sold out in 12 minutes! (Although, as I recall there were still some half day weeks available for the young ones.)
So, anyone who wants to take advantage of this year’s window should mark their calendars. Registration opens a week from Saturday.
Here are some details to pay attention to in preparation, including alternative programs you may want to consider.
[Note: For those wondering about the dates for NSBORO Schools summer break this year, scroll to the bottom.]*
The Town’s camp isn’t the fanciest option in town, but it is usually the most inexpensive. So it’s a popular option for keeping kids busy most of the summer — both for residents and for parents who work in town.
Registration for all of Rec’s summer programs will open 9:00 am on Saturday, March 2nd. But until Monday, March 4th, only residents will be allowed to sign up for the Summer Camp or any of the spring and summer programs.***
To register for any of Southborough Recreation’s program, you need to have an account and each child’s profile listed. To avoid scrambling at the last minute, you can create or update your account in advance here.
Recreation Summer Camp
You also may want to look at what Rec’s specialized offerings are for this summer – to avoid schedule conflicts with other programs your kids may be interested in. (Scroll down for those.)
The Rec Camps will run from June 24th to August 16th.*
As for what Rec camp itself offers, the Town promotes:
Southborough Recreation Summer Camp exposes children to a wide variety of programming on site and off site. From traditional activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and special events, to off-site visits to surrounding Southborough facilities, your child will enjoy an active summer with friends!
The camps are split by age group as of the beginning of camp. There are opportunities for kids ages 4-14.**
The pricing I include below is for the full day weeks. (Week 2 is discounted for each since there is no camp on July 4th and 5th.)
“Camp Fayville” is for 4–6 years olds with half day and full day options. (It doesn’t include field trips.) All campers must be potty trained.* Rates are $215 for half day (8:30 am – noon) and $300 for full day (8:30 am – 4:00 pm).
“Camp Cordaville” is for 7–12 years olds. That is a full day only program, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm at $300 per week. There is one field trip/special event anticipated per week for the older campers. Rec is promoting following events, with the caveat that they are subject to change:
- Apex Entertainment trip – Week 1
- inflatables on site (no field trip) – Week 2
- Urban Air trip – Week 3
- Kimballs Farm trip – Week 4
- Visit from Rainforest Reptile (no field trip) – Week 5
- Woo Sox trip – Week 6
- Ski Ward Summer Tubing trip – Week 7
- Launch trip – Week 8
CITs (Counselor in Trainings) is for ages 13-14 years old from 8:15 am – 4:00 pm. That program is $170/week. CITS may be assigned to either age group.
The program is pitches as for those:
looking to acquire skills while assisting in the work of our summer program. CITs will be exposed to situations such as behavior management, safety, programming, and team building. All CITs will be under the direction of a dedicated supervisor on-site.
Alternative Options
Specialty Rec Camps
In chronological order, these are the special one week camps (Mon-Fri unless otherwise specified) Rec is currently offering this summer:
- Coach ID’s Summer Hoops Clinic — for grades 4-8, July 1st – 3rd (Mon-Wed, 9:00 am – noon) at Fayville Park Basketball Court (click here)
- Circuit Lab — for kids entering grades 4-7, July 8th – 12th (9:00 am – 3:45 pm) at Rec Dept, 21 Highland St (click here)
- Best Soccer (July Session) — options for 3-14 yr olds, July 8th – 12th at Neary Elementary School (click here)
- Battle Robots with RoboThink — for 7-14 yr olds, July 15th – 19th (9:00 am – noon) at Rec Dept, 21 Highland St (click here)
- Ceramics — for 10-14 yr olds, July 22nd -26th (9:00 am – noon) at Rec Dept, 21 Highland St (click here)
- Chess Wizards — for 6-12 yr olds, August 5th – 9th (9:00 am – noon) at Rec Dept, 21 Highland St (click here)
- Skyrise Musical “All Hands on Deck” — for 5-12 yr olds, August 12th – 16th (8:30 am – 2:30 pm) at Trottier Middle School (click here)
- Best Soccer (August Session) — options for 3-14 yr olds, August 12th – 16th at Neary Elementary School (click here)
- Top Secret Kids: Hands on Science — for kids entering grades K-5, August 19th – 23rd at Rec Dept, 21 Highland St (click here)
Southborough Extended Day Camp
Although registration information and rates aren’t posted yet for 2024, families already in the program should have received the information already. [Editor’s Note: The information is now available.]***
For the past two years, the SEDP program, managed through a partnership of community parents, has only been offered Mondays – Thursdays. But it offers the flexibility to pick specific days families need rather than committing to entire weeks.
The fees have typically been a little higher than Rec’s camp (and that is true again this year***), but a big draw for many families is reflected in the name. Extended hours are available in both the morning (starting at 7:30 am) and evening (running until 6:00 pm).
The camp is limited to students entering grades K-6, but does allow campers who aren’t potty trained. (Another plus, since none of the other camps in town do.) And unlike Southborough Rec, the field trips have included the younger campers.
The program also generally offers CIT options for students entering 7th-9th grade and volunteer positions for older students.
You can find the SEDP website here, where this summer’s info should be posted when it becomes available.
Private Camps in Town
This summer, two non-profits in town are holding camps. (Chestnut Hill Farm isn’t offering one for this summer.)
- Fay School (click here)
- St. Mark’s Summer (click here)
*If there aren’t any more school cancellations this year, the last day of NSBORO Schools will be Thursday, June 13th. The first day of the next school year is Thursday, August 29th.
**Southborough Rec Campers must be potty trained with no exceptions.
Updated (2/21/24 4:20 pm): I initially missed the basketball clinic the week of July 4th.
Updated (2/22/24 10:29 am): I fixed the dates for the 2nd week of summer camp. (It won’t be held on July 4th & 5th.) And I was informed by Rec that the 2 day window for residents will apply to all of the spring and summer programs, not just Summer Camp!
Updated (2/22/24 12:14 pm): I updated some information about SEDP and added the information from Rec that camp quickly sold out again last year.
***Updated (3/1/24 3:58 pm): SEDP shared its Summer Fun Club information with me today. They will again offer daily options for Monday through Thursday camp, June 17th through August 16th.
In the flyer right, it specifies that the fee is $80 per day, plus the optional $12 for early morning care, and $15 for after hours care. It also lists the field trips planned.
The forms still aren’t online, but you can email kpackard@nsboro.k12.ma.us.
