Plans are falling into place for a new kids’ summer program from Santa Maria’s Recreation and Parks Department, which will replace the city’s usual summer day camp.
Recreation Division Manager Teresa Reyburn said the new program, called Safe and Strong All Summer Long, will provide free childcare for kids aged 6 through 12 at city parks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. The program wil run for eight weeks, from June 10 to August 5. Reyburn said Safe and Strong is similar to a 1980s city program that took place on elementary school campuses.
“Parents were working, kids could stay within their own neighborhoods, walk a block or two to school, and be there with two or three recreation leaders who could provide activities and make sure they’re in a safe environment,” Reyburn said of the ’80s program.
Safe and Strong will follow the same format, but take place at 11 city parks rather than elementary schools.
“In our school districts, all schools qualify for free lunches and breakfasts because of the demographics and because of the poverty level,” Reyburn said. “So during the summer, many of these children don’t eat healthy at all.”
To combat this pattern and keep Santa Maria’s youth safe and entertained, the city and its collaborative partners will contribute food, art, games, nutrition and exercise lessons, and even self-esteem initiatives to the summer program’s agenda.
Reyburn said Safe and Strong ultimately aims to prevent youth violence by educating Santa Maria’s kids.
“From our perspective in Recreation and Parks,” she said, “we know that when kids are outside in parks breathing fresh air, moving their bodies, learning about nutrition, working together, and learning to interact with the different cultures in our community, they’re typically not going to be involved in gang violence or any type of violence if they’re busy and if their stomachs are full.”
Reyburn said that though the city’s summer day camp program had a successful run, it could only accommodate about 40 families. Safe and Strong is expected to serve hundreds of families, whose financial situations will not prevent them from taking advantage of the program.
“That was another reason for transitioning to this type of program,” Reyburn said. “If you can’t afford to put food on the table, you can’t afford to pay for a day camp.”
The day camp funds will be reallocated to Safe and Strong, for which Reyburn said she plans to hire 22 teen and young adult recreation leaders who will work the program for nine weeks.
“Those teens will be earning money, and a lot of the problem with kids in our community is poverty,” Reyburn said. “It’s a double benefit hiring the staff and also providing services for children.”
This article appears in Mar 17-24, 2016.