Summer is Camp Time in Ledyard

The children come back, from the time they are 4 years old until they are 14. The daily summer camps offered through the Parks and Recreation Department have two major draws.

“There are a lot of fun things to do and there’s no homework,” said Dustin Huguenin, one of three camp supervisors. 

The camps are broken down by age – those 4-6 at Gales Ferry School; those 7-9 at Ledyard Center School, and those 10-14 at Colonel Ledyard Park.  They run from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The camps began this week, with 300 children were participating and more still registering, with a chance the program would reach its 350 capacity within a few days.

Huguenin and the other two supervisors, Andy Langlais and Cara Bowles, believe the town offers one of the best playground programs in the region. Some towns, they said, no longer offer weekly field trips because of budgetary constraints, but Ledyard still does.

For example, on July 1, those in the 7-9 age group (the Colonels) are scheduled to visit the movie theater at the Submarine Base. For $5, they get to see a move and have a free soda and box of popcorn. During the camp, they also will have a pizza party, go bowling, skate at the Norwich Ice Rink and visit the Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island.

Each week has its own theme. For instance, for those in the youngest group (Popcorn Colonels) there is “Ledyard Legends” week. There will be visits from the Ledyard police and fire departments, as well as a military day. For that week, and others as well, there are contributions made by individuals from throughout the town. 

The supervisors said not only do the police and fire departments make appearances, but there are contributions from other individuals and businesses as well. Valentino’s restaurant, for instance, shows children how pizzas are made, and the campers get a free meal.

“The whole community pitches in,” said Huguenin. “That’s one of the most important things that makes this work.”

During the final week, each camp has a carnival.

In addition to the three supervisors, there are 25 camp counselors and 10 volunteers, ages 14 and 15.

There is still space for more campers in the 7-9 and 10-14 (Super Colonels) age brackets. To register, you must stop by the Parks and Recreation Office. You cannot register online.  

Parks and Recreation also offers a wide range of summer sports camps. They include:

• Basketball Camp - Ledyard Girls Summer
• Beginner Lacrosse Clinic - US Sports
• Challenger Soccer
• Colonels Lacrosse Camp
• Hoops Camp - Ledyard Boys' Summer
• Horseback Riding Camp
• Lego Camp
• Mad Science Camps
• Multi-Sports Camp US Sports
• Performing Arts Camp
• Soccer Camps - Youth Elite
• Squirts Camp - US Sports
• Teen Adventure Camp
• Tennis Camp
• Volleyball Camp

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 860 464-9112.