A new day camp payment plan makes registering for multiple weeks of summer camp more accessible to all families

VANCOUVER – Registration for summer activities and fall sports leagues operated by Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services opens at 7 a.m. on April 12. A new day camp payment plan makes registering for multiple weeks of summer camp more accessible to all families. 

Registration for summer day camp fills up quickly and space is limited. The new payment plan was created to support families who rely on recreation day camps as a safe childcare option during the summer and prefer to pay tuition fees on a weekly basis instead of up front at the time of registration. An initial 15 percent payment is due at registration followed by weekly payments toward the total on Fridays. The day camp payment plan is open to everyone, including families receiving scholarship assistance. 

“Full day summer camps are critical to working families in our community and we believe offering this payment plan makes advanced registration more accessible and equitable,” said Recreation Coordinator, Stacey Allington. “We work hard to keep programs affordable, but 10 weeks of summer day camp for one child still costs more than $2,100, which is a lot of money to have ready when registration opens. The day camp payment plan will reduce financial stress and give parents peace of mind knowing that their child has a safe, fun and engaging place to go during work hours.”

In addition to the usual summer day camps for ages 6 to 10, there is also a new teen adventure camp offered this year for ages 11 to 14. The Access to Recreation (ATR) camp is open to ages 13 and over and is designed for people with disabilities. 

Besides day camps, summer registration boasts a wide range of recreation opportunities for children and adults including swim lessons, rock climbing, sports camps, dance classes, watercolor painting and pottery. Youth and adult sports leagues are open for softball, soccer and basketball. Adults may choose to register a full team or sign up as a “free agent” to join a newly formed team. 

Seniors can register for fun social activities and exciting hikes through the city’s 50 and Better program. The Access to Recreation program features activities for adults with disabilities, including fitness and enrichment classes and weekly social events. 

Recreation scholarships are available to qualifying families who live in Clark County. Scholarship funds may be used to register youth ages 18 and younger for classes, camps or leagues. They are also available to adults with disabilities who enroll in Access to Recreation classes. Learn more about scholarship guidelines at www.cityofvancouver.us/scholarship or by calling Firstenburg Community Center at (360) 487-7001 or Marshall Community Center at (360) 487-7100. 

Activity descriptions are available online now to help plan summer schedules before registration opens. Starting April 12, registration will be available online at www.cityofvancouver.us/Activities  or by phone or in-person at Firstenburg or Marshall community centers. 

Information provided by city of Vancouver.