Local students can have a day of swimming and fun at the Herndon Community Center during teacher workdays on Jan. 30 and 31. Photo courtesy of Herndon Community Center
“We would like for this to be the first in a series of years where we could do this kind of teacher workday camp.”
— Dave Zakrzewski, Recreation Supervisor at HCC
The Herndon Community Center has an answer for parents wondering how to keep their children busy during the teacher workdays on Jan. 30 and 31. What youngster doesn’t love a day packed with swimming, sports, games and science experiments?
The School’s Out! Camp will give area elementary school students two days’ worth of activities to escape the cold weather while their teachers and parents are busy grading papers and working. The camp will include swimming, cooking and arts and crafts activities, as well as science experiments and cooperative games.
“We would like for this to be the first in a series of years where we could do this kind of teacher workday camp,” said Dave Zakrzewski, recreation supervisor for the camp. Zakrzewski said that the camp itinerary is designed to balance a day of sports with educational activities and arts and crafts.
“The idea is to have something for everybody to do.”
The day will begin after drop off at 7 a.m. with gym activities. After a couple of hours, campers will have the option to switch to arts and crafts, though they can keep playing basketball if they desire. After lunch, community center staff will give a 45-minute science lesson, with the kids making the experiment themselves.
Campers will then be invited to jump in the pool for a swim, face off in racquetball across the hall, or play more sports in the gym. A staff member will lead the activities for the final two hours of the day before sending the kids home at 7p.m.
Parents are advised to send their child with a towel, swimsuit, and any other items such as bathing caps or goggles needed for swimming. They should also make sure to pack a lunch and bring a water bottle to refill.
The cost for registration is $35 for both Herndon residents and non-residents. To register go online to www.herndon-va.gov/webtrac, pick up and drop off camp registration and medical information forms in person with payment at the Herndon Community Center at 814 Ferndale Avenue, or fax those items to 703-318-8652.