Big screen adventures lead to campers' summer fun

The summer is underway, and children ages 6 through 12 are already enjoying the opportunities for fun, physical fitness and learning at the summer camps at Saint Francis Medical Center's Fitness Plus.

The camps, which began May 20, are running in weekly sessions at Fitness Plus, 150 S. Mount Auburn Road, until Aug. 9. And they are so popular that they were fully registered back in April.

"We've had to turn away over 50 kids since then," said Jamie Crowell, recreation programmer at Fitness Plus.

This summer, the camps have a theme of "Hollywood Adventures" and each week campers participate in activities centered around a Hollywood movie. The themes of recent camps have been "Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life," and recently children enjoyed the fun atmosphere of "Finding Nemo."

"I've been here for six years," Crowell said, "and every year we've improved and have gotten better. There's a great staff, and we're averaging about 40 kids per day, Monday through Friday."

According to Crowell, a big reason for the popularity of the camps at Fitness Plus is it's a child-care service for parents during the summer.

"It's the consistency of our camps that does it," she said. "We're here every week during the summer. Parents know that they can leave their kids with us and that they'll be taking part in healthy activities. They won't be sitting at home and playing video games."

Crowell said that the activities at the Hollywood Adventure camps are varied, but they include sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball. Campers also look forward to rock-wall climbing and swimming in the recreation pool three times a week with certified life guards on duty. Some activities, such as flag-tag and alternate Frisbee, are played outside. All activities are split among the campers based on age, Crowell said.

"What's fun for younger kids may not be for the older ones," she said. "Sometimes, while younger kids are doing something suitable for their age, older kids may be throwing a football or playing basketball."

Youngsters play Snake Wall, Fire Wall during the summer camp at Fitness Plus on Tuesday in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

While activities at the camps are important, there is also an element of learning involved. All campers take part in the "Fit Kids" program twice a week where they are taught about fitness and nutrition.

"Fit Kids teaches healthy habits," Crowell said. "We want campers to learn about being healthy and staying healthy."

But not everything at the Hollywood Adventure camps take place at Fitness Plus. There are field trips that campers take to places like Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center and, in keeping with the Hollywood theme, campers will be going to the movies later this summer.

"We're also planning a trip to a local television studio," Crowell said.

While the camps at Fitness Plus are already booked for the summer, Crowell said parents can still place their children on a waiting list or even come and observe the activities so that they can get an idea of what happens.

"We want parents to know that Fitness Plus is a safe environment where kids are having fun and being active in safe ways," she said.

Fitness Plus is located on the Saint Francis Medical Center campus inside the Health and Wellness Center. For information on the waiting list or to observe activities, call Jamie Crowell at 331-5963.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address: 150 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO