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Corte Madera previewing expanded summer camps, after‑care and new family events
Summary
Town recreation staff said after‑school care and summer camp enrollment rose this year; Camp Corte Madera will run June 23–Aug. 8 with flexible daily registration, specialty camps and a new family campout in August.
Sydney Bliss, recreation supervisor for Corte Madera Town, told the Parks and Recreation Commission on May 19 that the town is expanding its after‑school care and summer programming to meet rising demand.
"From our 23–24 school year we had about 30 students averaging per day in first through fifth graders and kindergartens we had about 18 full dayers," Bliss said. "This year, we saw an increase to around 45 first through fifth graders and around 30 full day kindergarteners." She said the town is offering more flexible options to accommodate families.
Bliss said Camp Corte Madera will run June 23 through Aug. 8, serve ages roughly 5 through 12 and is based at the Neil Cummins portable childcare buildings. The program will offer daily registration for families that need specific days, weekly field trips (including the Exploratorium and Scandia), pool days at the Mill Valley Community Pool and specialty camps in topics such as carpentry, art, STEM and sports. She also described a counselor‑in‑training program for 13‑ to 15‑year‑olds and said interviews for volunteer CIT candidates are underway.
The department is introducing several new community events tied to promotions for the camps. Bliss described a free "bring‑your‑own picnic" event on Friday, May 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Town Park to showcase summer offerings, and the department plans a first‑ever family campout in Town Park on Aug. 22–23 with an evening movie, dinner and breakfast provided to registrants.
In discussion with commissioners, staff said the town continues to offer resident and town‑employee discounts (town employees receive a 20% discount), while registration is otherwise the same regardless of residency. Tim (Town staff) clarified that most coaching and instructors for programs are independent contractors engaged through the town and that registration and refunds are handled by the Parks and Recreation office.
Commissioners asked about pricing compared with neighboring camps, and Bliss said Corte Madera's daily registration is a distinguishing feature for families. No formal action was taken; the presentation was for information and commission feedback.
Looking ahead, staff said they will continue scholarship outreach and monitoring of enrollment to match staffing and facility needs.
