Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Attachment A <br /> I V.. <br /> O <br /> Orange County <br /> Parks & Recreation <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> To: Board of County Commissioners <br /> Laura Blackmon, County Manager <br /> Willie Best,Assistant County Manager <br /> From: Lori Taft,Parks and Recreation Management Director <br /> RE: Impacts related to the Elimination of the "Sun Fun" Summer Camp Program <br /> Date: November 6,2008 <br /> In May of 2008,the Board discussed the elimination of this camp program in light of the response <br /> from the community and from the Recreation and Parks Advisory Council (RPAC). Individuals and <br /> leaders in the Community, as well as RPAC had expressed to members of the board, their concern <br /> about the potential impact the elimination of this low-cost program might have on children and <br /> families. The Board appropriated one-time funding from a childcare subsidy source in the amount of <br /> $10,000, to be used to assist summer day camp participants whose families fall at or below the 200% <br /> federal poverty level. The Board asked that that staff bring back a report on the impact of the loss of <br /> the Parks and Recreation Department's program. <br /> Following the summer 2008 season, members of RPAC began to develop a survey that would be <br /> administered by members of the council to parents of 2007 Sun Fun participants. The telephone <br /> survey was administered in early October and the results compiled for this report. Parks and <br /> Recreation staff generated a list of 149 children who participated in at least one session of the 2007 <br /> Sun Fun camp. A total of 68 parents or 46% completed the survey. (RPAC survey report- <br /> Attachment B) Some of the important statistics revealed by the study include the following: <br /> • 31% of respondents did not send their child to camp in the summer of 2008 (21 respondents.) <br /> • 82% (17) of those who did not send their child to camp reported that cost was the principal <br /> factor and 18% (4)reported that they were unable to find an affordable replacement camp. <br /> • 22% of 68 respondents reported that they received financial assistance for camp attendance. <br /> The report details the survey results and concludes with the statement: <br />