Camp FUNset Growing Fast

Porter County Parks and Recreation has seen tremendous growth in its summer camp program this year. And it hasn’t been by accident.

A new name – Camp FUNset – and several new events and activities have helped raise awareness. As a result, participation has more than doubled from 166 campers last year to nearly 350 heading into this summer.

The mounting interest has caused several of the camps to reach capacity already, with the camps that are still open filling fast. All camps take place at Sunset Hill Farm County Park on the corner of U.S. 6 and Meridian Road in Liberty Township.

Program Coordinator Katie Rizer said a mix of old favorites, like a traditional nature camp, and innovative new programs, such as a Farm Film Camp where kids will make their own movie, have made Camp FUNset especially successful this year.

“Response to our camps has exceeded my expectations,” Rizer said. “We’re excited because the old favorites are coming back, plus we’re adding new ones into the mix. Because we’ve had such a great response, many of the camps have already filled to capacity, or are close to being full.”

Space is still available in the Wilderness Camp running from July 25-28, and an overnight Wilderness Campout that takes place July 29-30 is still open as well.

The Wilderness Camp will teach kids the skills needed to responsibly live outdoors, while the campout then gives campers the chance to put those newfound skills into action at the Sunset Hill Campground.

Carolyn Jones, the educator-interpreter for Porter County Parks and Recreation, has developed a new curriculum for these camps that feature a good deal of hands-on activities. Among the highlights are a game that teaches campers important survival skills, a program that teaches them how to tie knots that are helpful when camping, and a lesson in map and compass skills.

“This is not going to be an ordinary summer camp,” Jones said. “I love to be outside, and am looking forward to spending the summer sharing my love of nature with our campers. We will learn about Sunset Hill Farm’s many wonderful natural areas and the plants and animals that live in each of them.”

Rizer said that she and Jones, along with six counselors and a variety of special guests, will make sure all the campers have a great experience at Camp FUNset.

“We have an incredibly diverse team of counselors that are excited about working with the kids,” Rizer said.

About Porter County Parks and Recreation

The mission of the Porter County Parks and Recreation Board and Department is to preserve, protect and manage the natural, cultural and recreational resources within a diverse park system. We are committed to delivering youth, adult and school programs to the residents of Porter County, while also providing a gateway into the natural beauty of our area through its unique parks and trails. For more information, call 219-465-3586, or e-mail pcparks@porterco.org. Porter County Parks and Recreation is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pcparksandrec and Twitter @pcparksnrec.

Photo: Sunset Hill Pond is one of the natural elements that kids will explore at Camp Funset.