New digs for Hudson day camp

And the accord, which has been two years in the making, will not cost the town an arm and a leg.

“It’s part of an agreement we have with the school board,” Mike Klaiman, Hudson Parks and Recreation Director, said. “We only have to take care of cleaning the building and making sure the space is protected and well cared for.”

Each summer more than 100 campers per week spend their days in the municipal program doing activities such as sports, arts & crafts, swimming, bike trips, science shows, nature hikes, and more.

Starting July 2, 2008, day camp participants will spend their time at Saint Thomas school, located directly in front of Hudson’s town pool.

Though the majority of camp time will still be spent outdoors, the new indoor facilities will include use of the school’s gym and a cafeteria eating area where kids can store and later eat their lunches.

Rainy days will be spent in the large gymnasium, rather than the town’s community centre, while counsellors will also be able to do arts and crafts projects inside when it’s windy and take a break from the heat on overly warm summer days.

“We will have a lot more flexibility,” noted Klaiman.

But it’s the school’s bathrooms that have everyone excited.

“Instead of having just one bathroom each with a single toilet and sink, we now have two full boys’ and girls’ bathrooms with many sinks and stalls….can you imagine what it was like (in the past) taking over 100 kids to use the bathroom?” Klaiman said.

Hudson’s summer camp program has been based for more than 10 years at Benson Park, which did not have indoor facilities to accommodate the campers.

The camp, running from June 23 to Aug. 15, is open to kids from 6 to12 years-old. Registration for Hudson residents will begin Monday, April 7, at the Stephen F. Shaar Community Centre and for non residents on Monday, April 21. For information call 450 458-6699.