Grant "Boosts" Camp Sunshine, Camp Rising Sun
Monday, May 16th, 2022
The annual summer camps for Dalton children with special needs are getting a BOOST this year. The Dalton Parks and Recreation Department recently learned their application for a BOOST Grant to help fund operation of the camps has been approved.
BOOST stands for "Building Opportunities for Out-of-School Time". The grant program is part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the funds are being administered by the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA). The GRPA is awarding Dalton $12,615 to help fund operations of Camp Sunshine and Camp Rising Sun.
“The BOOST Grant is meant to enhance your summer opportunities for kids because during COVID kids have been missing that social interaction that they get just through school. This grant is to help boost any kind of outside school opportunities," said Caitlin Sharpe, director of Dalton's Parks and Recreation Department. "So GRPA was named as the sub-grantee and that’s how we were able to apply for it, because we are a GRPA member.“
Camp Sunshine (ages 6-9) and Camp Rising Sun (ages 5-8) run nealry every week of the summer. Both programs have been longstanding features of the Parks and Rec Department's summer schedule and are for children with special needs. Because of the resources needed to operate the camps, only a limited number of spots are available each summer and the program has already filled up for 2022.
“It’s mainly to provide an opportunity for kids with disabilities to have a place to go to have that summer camp opportunity. They’ll have art classes, they have field trips, there’s pool time, there’s active time, breakfast and lunch are provided," said Sharpe. "One reason why spots fill up so quickly is that there’s a need for this service, and it’s an affordable service. [Program manager] Lisa Hughey does a such a great job and keeps it fun, keeps it light."
"Having that social interaction throughout the summer helps the kids and it helps the parents so they can have somewhere that the kids can go and they can trust that they’re having a good time and being taken care of when they go to work,” Sharpe said.
