Summer has come to the Town of Wawarsing and with all the daydreams of barbecues, swimming and ice cream comes the big question most parents have to answer, "What do we do with the kids?"

This year, just like last year, parents and kids will have the chance to attend the Summer Recreation Program sponsored by Ellenville and Wawarsing or the Ellenville-Wawarsing Youth Commission's Summer Program. Either way, local children and their parents are sure to have plenty to choose from this summer.

Summer Recreation The "summer rec" program will be held at the Ellenville Central School District campus and will run from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday from July 9 to August 17. Children from kindergarten age to 14 years old are invited to attend. Registration will take place on Thursday, July 5 and Friday, July 6. Any student attending the Ellenville Central School District is eligible to attend.

Fees are $100 per child if the child is a resident of the Village of Ellenville. Each additional child is $75. If the child is a resident of the Town of Wawarsing the cost will be $150 for the registrant and $100 for each additional child. The village, which funds the bulk of both the summer recreation and pool programs, cite escalating costs and lack of greater contribution by the town as the reason for the raise in fees.

The program's activities will include (weather permitting) swimming as well as a selection of sports and other activities. Children will also be provided with a healthy lunch and snack each day.

In addition, participating children will have the opportunity to go horseback riding at the Nevele, go bowling, cool off at the Splashdown Water Park and meet exotic animal expert Dean Davis along with all of his animal friends.

John Burns, the program's director, also explains the importance of "character education" that he and his staff develop with the program's participants. "We talk about things like conflict resolution, how to interact with adults."

Burns says that he is looking forward to the long hot days of summer. "It's a fun experience. The staff and I are really excited. We get to play with kids all summer – it's a great job."

This year, there are approximately 15 counselors on staff. The idea behind that, explains Village Manager Elliott Auerbach, is to keep the child-to-counselor ratio so that each participant will get some measure of personal attention.

For further information call the village at 845-647-7080 or attend one of the registration sessions.

Ellenville-Wawarsing Youth Commission
"Remember, it's all free."

That's what Ellenville-Wawarsing Youth Commission Program Director Kris Kiernan says about his packed summer program.

On Saturday, June 23 from 1-5 p.m. the Ellenville-Wawarsing Youth Commission (EWYC) will be holding its first of two summer registration drives in the BOCES Learning Center, located behind the Ellenville Elementary School. A second registration drive will be held July 7 from 1-5 pm and will also be in the BOCES Learning Center.

The commission's main program is its summer Lippman Park "drop-in" program that is available for children from kindergarten up to 14 years of age and will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Tuesday through Thursday. The program features organized games, sports, arts and crafts, fishing and hiking.

In addition, the commission will be taking seven trips to locations all over the Hudson Valley. Destinations and activities include trips to: a Hudson Valley Renegades game, the Kingston YMCA, the Ulster County Fair, Minnewaska State Park, Ulster County Beach and the Albany State Museum.

The 'EWYC News' summer issue is now available and details the information needed to participate in all the free events the EWYC will offer during the summer season. For additional information contact 845-647-0200 extension 541 or e-mail ewycny@yahoo.com.

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