HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10599 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10599
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 22, 2021
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SUBJECT: 2021 SUMMER DAY CAMP
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The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide an update from the Park & Recreation
(PARD) and Neighborhood Services (NSD) Departments on the 2021 Summer Day Camp
Program, Camp Fort Worth.
During a pre-COVID summer, PARD and NSD hosted more than 2,000 campers over a
nine-week period at a 1 .15 staff to camper ratio. This ratio is approved by the City Council
annually as part of the City of Fort Worth Youth Programs Standards of Care. The
Standards set requirements for supervision of programs for youth ages 5 through 13. The
Texas Legislature Human Resources Code exempts elementary-age municipal youth
recreation programs from the State's daycare licensing requirements under certain
conditions. This law requires that a city annually adopt standards of care by ordinance after
a public hearing. This occurs at the beginning of each program year.
Pre-COVID Camp Worth Enrollment
PARD PARD Mobile Rec NSD
FY2018 - 2,100 Total 1 ,123 547 430
FY2019 - 2,410 Total 1 ,332 612 466
In 2020, PARD and NSD hosted a six-week Camp Fort Worth that was extended two
additional weeks due to a delay in the start of school at Fort Worth Independent School
District (FWISD). Additionally, summer hiring was curtailed due to reduced demand, with a
1 .10 staff to camper ratio and safety protocol implemented as recommended by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Camp Worth Enrollment
PARD PARD Mobile Rec NSD
FY2020 - 415 Total 272 32 111
This summer, Camp Fort Worth has a delayed start due to FWISD extending the school
year to June 18. Camp Leader Orientation will be held the week of June 21-25. A staff to
camper ratio of 1 .10 will be maintained due to CDC social distancing recommendations for
unvaccinated youth. Vaccines are only available for youth 12 and older, and the majority of
campers are under age 12.
Registration for Camp Fort Worth opened on March 1 , and Mobile Recreation registration
opened June 1 . Demand has increased over last summer, and most centers have waitlists
for some or all weeks. Families are being referred to other centers with openings, to the
Mobile Recreation program, and to other service providers. Camp has a maximum
enrollment of 950 for Summer Day Camp and 240 for Mobile Recreation which is held at
four FWISD sites. Enrollment may exceed these amounts because registration is by the
week. Some campers are enrolled for one-week, multiple weeks or all weeks.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10599
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 22, 2021
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SUBJECT: 2021 SUMMER DAY CAMP
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Summer Day Camp has historically followed the policy directive of full cost recovery. Last
summer and this summer the decision has been made to temporarily deviate from that
policy by reducing the cost per camper due to economic hardships some families have
experienced during the pandemic. Early bird rates for Camp Fort Worth 2020 (registration
began before COVID-19 altered summer camp) were $445 for a nine-week camp without
field trips, and $625 with field trips. These rates will resume in 2022.
Camp Worth Enrollment as of June 10
PARD PARD Mobile Re c NSD
FY2021 - 1 ,049 to date 1 796 81 172
Details on Camp Fort Worth:
• June 28 to August 6, 2021
• 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
• Ages 5-13
• Camp is $35 per week; a total of$210, or $175 for all six weeks if paid in full at
registration; Scholarships available (for families meeting eligibility criteria) for a cost
of $25 per week or $125 for all six weeks, if paid in full; these rates are far below the
majority of summer camps in the area and equate to $0.67 and $0.48 per hour
respectively
• Each camper will participate in the research-based reading curriculum with 45
minutes of intentional and measurable instruction based on best practices provided
by a trained Literacy Support Specialist
• Hosted at 13 PARD community centers, 4 FWISD sites, and 5 NSD centers
If you have questions about this information, please contact:
o Kelli Pickard, Assistant Director, Park & Recreation (817-392-5461)
o Sonia Singleton, Assistant Director, Neighborhood Services (817-392-5774)
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS