Offering a high-quality, safe and regulated environment for children were the driving forces behind the Sweden-Clarkson Community Center’s push for achieving certification for their summer camp program.

Program certification, which was accomplished through the Monroe County Health Department, means the center will follow standards, regulations and guidelines set forth by Monroe County, Center Director James Nealon said. “There are no guidelines if certification isn’t there and we wanted parents to know that we were committed to certain regulations,” he said.

Certification also sets staff-to-camper ratios – one staff member for 12 campers for normal camp and one staff member for eight campers when on field trips.

Nealon said he and his staff are wrapping up the revisions of their written emergency procedures. “The emergency procedures met the county regulations,” he said. “Staff orientation to go over the regulations will be held.”

Having the certification also assures parents that the camp is compliant with health regulations and that they will have a camp medical director on call and that an assistant medical director will be on site during camp hours. In addition, various members of the staff are first aid and CPR trained.

When it comes to selecting a site to send their children, Nealon said many parents look for the certification. “It’s a trend because people want to send their kids to a safe place that offers a structured program,” he explained.

The summer camp program at the rec center will not be a “drop off at the door type of program,” Nealon said. “The kids need to be signed in when they are dropped off and signed out at the end of the day and only eligible parties can pick that child up.”

Eligible parties, Nealon explained, are individuals listed by the parent or guardian as someone who is allowed to pick the child up. “If a name isn’t on the list, then that child cannot be released to them.”

The program through the community center will be offered at two different locations – the Barclay school for grades three through six and the Ginther school for kindergarten through second grade. Each location will have one site director, two assistant directors and a minimum of 10 counselors and one or two junior counselors, Nealon said.

“The town has always run a playground program in the past and it worked out well to run the day camps at the schools,” Nealon explained. “There will be other programs running at the community center during camp program time.”

The day camp programs will offer swimming, a drama program, arts and crafts, various physical programs, and an option of attending various field trips. Nealon said the field trips planned so far include Six Flags Darien Lake and Roseland Water Park. The field trips are for an additional fee, he said.

The price for the day camp program is $75 per week. “We are the least expensive certified program in the area,” Nealon said. “Children need to be registered by the Wednesday before the week they want to attend.”

Call 431-0090 for information or to register. Nealon said out-of-area children are welcome to attend the camp.