The Parks and Recreation department wraps up its 2016 summer camp season today.
A total of 510 campers, ages 5 to 14, have spent nine weeks enjoying the summer, participating in arts and crafts, field trips and other hands on activities that have challenged their minds.
“Through this program, we provide wholesome leisure time programs,” Parks and Recreation Director Cheryl Bell said. “This provides an opportunity for the campers to grow physically and emotionally.”
Campers have enjoyed arts and crafts, games and snacks, a campwide talent show, and daily field trips to such destinations as the Biloxi Natatorium, city splash pads, farmers market, Gulf Islands Water Park and Golden Gate Skateland.
According to the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot survey, nearly 50 percent of the U.S. parents say that during the summer, children have more free time and distractions such as television, cell phones or video games making it difficult to ensure that their children practice healthy habits.
“We put together an educational and enlightening program,” Bell said. “We realize that parents are entrusting the care of their children with us, so we make sure that our recreational programs such as summer camp provides the opportunity for the campers to expand artistically, and find an improved quality of life and wellness. We also want them to have fun.”
Campers celebrated the end of the season on Tuesday with a campwide party at the Dr. Frank Gruich Sr. Community. All enjoyed hotdog, chips, door prizes and music spun by a local DJ.
The Summer Playground and Enrichment Program is nine-week camp that takes place in seven Biloxi public schools, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended care to 6 p.m. The program is open to age 5 to 14 and includes a teen and sun camp.  The sun camp is for individuals with disabilities.
See more information about the program
See the Sun Camp visit to City Hall
