The Town of Templeton Recreation Department will run a five-week drop-in summer playgroup at Gilman Waite beginning July 8; the program charges $5 per child per day with a $10 daily family cap, according to a recreation staff member.

“We've been growing the group for I think this is our third year. We've been trying to bring it back from years past when it was like a full blown thing every year,” the staff member said, describing the effort to revive the program and make it larger each year.

The program is organized as a flexible, drop-in offering rather than a preregistration-only camp. Parents or guardians complete a single registration form with emergency contact information and waivers on arrival, and may attend any days or activities they choose during the five-week run that begins July 8 and continues into August (an exact end date in August was not specified in the meeting).

Daily stations at Gilman Waite will include a directed art/STEM project, a free art table, a sensory station (Legos, bubbles, sand), a daily field game, and court activities such as pickleball or basketball. Special events this year will include rocket-building and a launch day, a tie-dye day, a fairy-garden project, and routine playground time with popsicles to close the day.

Organizers also plan a field trip to Red Apple Farm, a cookie-decorating event and a family movie night in the fall. The staff member said other nearby towns are welcome to attend while the program grows.

Volunteers, sponsors and donors are being invited. The recreation staff said a UniPay link is being set up for online payments; families may also send checks to PO Box 572 in Templeton or drop them off at the senior center during rec office hours. Physical donations of art supplies and recyclable materials for craft projects are accepted.

Program leaders emphasized keeping costs low so all families can participate. The presentation at the meeting was informational; no formal vote or policy action was taken.

For details or to offer volunteer time or donations, attendees were directed to contact the Town of Templeton Recreation Department.