Cornell's summer day camp for children is accepting registrations for 1997 season

Cornell's summer day camp for children of employees is now accepting registrations for the 1997 season. University Summer Day Camp will be held June 24 through Aug. 15, in two-week sessions. Attendance is limited to children who will enter grades one through eight this fall.

Camp director Dick Taylor said the 1997 University Summer Day Camp will have its headquarters in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house on the corner of Campus Road and Stewart Avenue, but "the entire Cornell campus will be the 'campground' where campers explore, learn about the exciting things happening around campus and, most importantly, have a fun-filled summer."

University Summer Day Camp has 20 paid staff members, 15 counselors-in-training and more than 80 volunteers from throughout the Cornell campus. "Our goal is to provide the best childcare possible for the parents and the most fun and exciting summer possible for our campers," Taylor said.

University Summer Day Camp, entering its fifth year, was started in the summer of 1993. when many parents working at Cornell expressed a need for day-long childcare services in the summer. The camp's extended hours (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) help parents who work early or late shifts and who need care for their children.

"The additional advantage to parents of having a summer day camp on campus," Taylor said, "is that camp is so close to their work. It is very easy for them to drop off and pick up their children." Taylor added that campers travel by foot and campus bus to just about all corners of campus to explore and learn about the many fascinating things happening here. Camp also offers working parents the opportunity to spend some lunch time with their children. Parents and campers both enjoy the opportunity to "do lunch" together at camp."

In addition to providing high-quality, all-day childcare, University Summer Day Camp takes full advantage of the human, facility and natural resources on the Cornell campus. Each two-week session has a theme around which the activities focus. This summer's themes are Exploring Our Talents, Developing Our Skills, Nature's Wonders, How Things Work, and Discovering the World Around Us. Campers also are transported by bus twice a week to the city of Ithaca's Cass Park for recreational swimming.

According to Taylor, Cornell strives to keep the camp fees as low as possible. Support comes from the camp's sponsor, Work and Family Services in the Office of Human Resources and from the many volunteers who give time during their normal work day at Cornell. Fees for the camp vary based on family income.

Taylor said the camp sessions fill rapidly, and Cornell parents are encouraged to register their children as early as possible. Registrations will continue until camp is full.

Brochures, registration forms and further information are available by calling 254-4386.

Media Contact

Media Relations Office