Parks & Recreation Annual Report FY 17/18 | Page 10

The Parks & Recreation Department provided a ten-
week Summer Camp Program at the Civic Center
and Minsky Gym. The program operated Monday
through Friday from June 4 to August 10. There
were three unique programs offered at the Civic
Center: Tot Camp (30 registrants), Youth Camp
(150 registrants) and Teen X-Treme Camp (60
registrants), which totaled two-hundred and forty
children on a given day. Minsky Gym program was
comprised of 75 registrants for youth ages 6-11 only.
The Summer Camp program was composed of several
new components such as life-skills workshops for
youth and teens by our very own City of Port St.
Lucie Police Department, which was titled, “Talk
with a Cop.” Our Police Department Park Officers
dedicated eight weeks of service providing each child
with an opportunity to learn valuable lessons pertaining
to the dangers of truancy, drug prevention, stranger
awareness, social media, bicycle safety, driving
safety, etc. Our Park Officers also provided a K-9 and
SWAT demonstration that the campers enjoyed. The
campers connected with the content the Park Officers
delivered in their workshops. Noticeably, the campers
were engaged and benefited from the workshops as the
campers shared their testimonials. This was a delightful
experience for Officers who conveyed that they are
very happy to be a part of our program offerings.
In addition, WE LEAP, a non-profit organization,
provided nine weeks of building healthy relationships,
particularly for our Teen X-Treme Camp participants.
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In summary, the organization implemented a “Safe
Teens Youth Leadership Curriculum,” which
empowers youth to become role models and leaders
in preventing violence, types of harassment, and
bullying. Teens learned to become role models and
leaders while preventing interpersonal violence
in their schools and communities. This was an
additional new component at no cost to the City.
Another exciting opporuntiy at no additional cost
included a visit from our very own instructor from
Taylor and Talent Corporation, who
provided
workshops within our Teen program. The instructor
taught youth about etiquette and positive image in
public and social media. Later during the summer,
the instructor introduced the “behind the scenes” of
modeling, where children learned how to use an
industry camera to produce unique angles, productions,
attire, etc.
Programmatically, staff implemented new and creative
arts and crafts, science activities, and indoor and outdoor
recreational games. We also incorporated physical
activities daily and a “Fun Field Day.” The children
had a blast while participating in several competitive
sports, allowing us to reach our goal of getting the
children to enjoy physical fitness activities outdoors.
Our X-Treme Teen Camp participants also visited
Treasure Coast Civil Air Patrol where they engaged
in a few of the Cadet program demonstrations. The
facilitator also introduced them to the field of Aviation.
Again, this presentation was also at no cost to the City.