Summer Camps, Classes and Athletics

Day camps are offered in one- and two-week sessions at Glenlake, Oakhurst and Ebster parks and at the Decatur Recreation Center.

This information is provided to help parents make better-informed decisions about the camp they select. Please note the following camp formats and changes from 2007 camps: 

Traditional Day Camps are designed to promote individual development through play, field trips and relationships with peers and counselors. 
Day Camps:
• Are offered eight weeks of the summer.
• Are open 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. with after-care available until 6 p.m.
• Organize campers into groups of 8-12 each with a counselor.
• Offer a range of traditional camp activities including arts and crafts, group games, nature/environmental activities, swimming, snacks, and field trips.
• Organize each session around a theme, but do not program exclusively around the theme.
• Can be most beneficial when children attend for a succession of weeks - providing the opportunity to build stronger relationships with counselors and peers.
• Include Oakhurst Safari (grades K-5), Glenlake Discovery (K-3), Ebster Explorer (K-5), and D.R.E.A.M. (grades 6-8).

Special Interest Camps are designed to explore in-depth a particular topic of interest in a day camp format. Specialty Day Camps:
• Meet for a half day or full day for one week only.
• Focus on a particular area of interest.
• Are offered throughout the summer for children 2-15 years of age.
• Provide before-camp care 8-9 a.m.
• Provide after-camp care for camps that end at 4 p.m. or later.

Changes from 2007 Camps
Glenlake Discovery Camp (K-3). In response to feedback from parents, only rising 2nd and 3rd graders will take local trips within walking distance or navigable by City van. All campers will travel together on a field trip at the end of each week.

D.R.E.A.M. Camp. Formerly 3:00 Project Camp, this camp for middle schoolers is getting a makeover. D.R.E.A.M. Camp will offer eight one-week sessions. The camp format will include short group trips during the week and an all-camp trip on Friday.

Oakhurst Safari Camp moves to McKoy Park. Safari Camp (K-5) will be based at McKoy Park this summer in hopes of using the newly remodeled pool scheduled to open Memorial Day. Oakhurst Safari Camp will have two camp directors, one of whom will focus on special activities for rising 4th and 5th graders. 

Afternoon Camps. Special-interest camps in the afternoon are something new for children who have busy mornings or just want to sleep in during the summer. Try out our
Puppet Camp or one of the new drama camps.

Full-day and half-day specialty camps are also offered, as well as Counselor in Training and Junior Counselor programs. 

Look for information on these programs, along with classes and athletics, in the March issue of the Playbook  program guide, available online and printed in the Decatur Focus newsletter.

Summer Camp Registration Begins Saturday, March 29

Registration for all summer day camps (Glenlake, Ebster, McKoy, and Dream Camp), tennis camps, special interest camps, swim camps and swim team will begin Saturday, March 29, 9 a.m.-noon, at Decatur Recreation Center. Proof of residency will be required for resident fees and is subject to verification. Nonverifiable addresses will not be accepted. Five year olds must have attended a full-day program and show proof of age (birth certificate or school record).