Agenda - 02-03-2009 - 7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Table 1.Problems/hardships experienced by families as a result of the cancellation of the Sun Fun summer camp. Problem/concern Percent of parents stating that this was a problem Families that Families that All DID send DID NOT send respondents their child to their child to a a camp in camp in 2008 2008 Increased out of pocket expenses 81% 48% 71% The child was bored 38% 81% 52% Difficulties for others who had to care for the child 34% 62% 43% The child did not receive much exercise 28% 67% 40% Transportation difficulties/location 40% 33% 38% Problems with missing work or being late 38% 33% 37% Inconvenient hours for replacement camps/alternative care situations 34% 24% 31% Concerns about leaving the child home alone 21% 43% 28% Responses to open-ended questions revealed additional concerns expressed by parents over the cancellation of the Sun Fun camp. Nine parents mentioned concerns about their child missing out on interaction with other children, 4 parents mentioned concerns about lack of structure or stability for their child, 4 parents mentioned not being satisfied with other camps that were found, 4 parents stated that summer camps contribute to children's health and development, 3 parents specifically mentioned safety concerns due to their child's lack of supervision over the summer, and 2 parents mentioned that the cancellation caused increased hardship for single parents. Other comments were that summer camps help keep children out of trouble,that not all children are interested in a sports camp (the main low cost alternative currently provided by the county), and that camps help keep children stimulated over the summer so that they have an easier time adjusting to school in the fall. One parent, who lamented the loss of the Sun Fun camp, added that a camp for teens whose parents work is also needed in the county. Evaluation of the Sun Fun Camp: When asked if their child would have attended the Sun Fun camp if it had been offered in 2008, 84%responded that they would have attended. The main reason parents gave for their desire to enroll their child in Sun Fun camp is that it is a good camp that provides fun and varied activities and that their child liked the camp (33 responses). Parents also commented that Sun Fun was affordable (18 responses) and convenient(13 responses). Other reasons for wanting to continue with Sun Fun were that their children missed the staff and/or the friends they made at Sun Fun, that Sun Fun had a diverse camper population, and that the staff at Sun Fun could be trusted. Several parents also mentioned that their children had attended Sun Fun for many years, or that it was a tradition in their family. One parent said that he had attended the camp as a child and that it was one of the best experiences of his childhood. Three percent of parents said that they "possibly"would have enrolled their child in 2008 and 13% would not have enrolled their child. Those few parents who would not have enrolled their child either wanted to try something new, were not satisfied with the Sun Fun camp, had moved such that the location was no longer convenient, or had simply found the alternatives to be satisfactory. One parent had a special needs child who was better served by a special needs camp.