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Low signups force county to weigh options for summer day camp; staff recommends opening multi‑week registration to existing registrants
Summary
With registrations well below expectations, parks staff told commissioners the county risks a $16,000+ deficit unless the summer day‑camp model changes; staff proposed three options and recommended allowing current registrants to sign up for more weeks immediately while reopening registration publicly.
Madison County parks staff warned the board Monday that summer day‑camp registrations are far below projections and asked for direction to avoid a large program deficit.
Parks staff reported only 40 registered children and three counselors in training across the six weeks at the county’s current two‑week cap per child. Based on the enrollment mix, staff estimated the program would lose roughly $16,000 if the current registration pace continued. To avoid cancellation or a large shortfall, staff presented three options: (1) reopen registration immediately and allow currently registered families to reserve additional weeks (staff recommendation); (2) keep the two‑week cap but set a firm April 4 decision deadline and operate only weeks that meet minimum enrollment thresholds (staff gave sample thresholds at 75% or 50% capacity); or (3) cancel the entire program for the summer.
Parks director Holly McDaniel and recreation staff urged the board to allow current registrants—many of whom told staff they would sign up for more weeks if permitted—to reserve additional weeks now and then reopen the remaining slots to the public. Commissioners asked for a short period (via email or quick board consensus) to confirm that approach so staff could finalize hiring, trip reservations and transportation arrangements.
Why it matters: the summer day camp is a widely used county program that requires hiring seasonal staff, booking off‑site trips and arranging transportation. Staff said many families do not enroll under a two‑week cap because they need stability for the whole summer; allowing multi‑week registration for existing families may raise participation to a sustainable level.
Key numbers and next steps
- Current registrations as of the board report: 40 children enrolled across six weeks; three LITs (13–15 year olds) and 37 ages 6–12. - Staff estimated revenues under current enrollment would be roughly $28,000 and expenses roughly $44,000, leaving a shortfall of about $16,000. If the board set a 75% threshold (30 children per week), projected net shortfall would shrink to about $5,000; a 50% threshold (20 children per week) would leave a larger gap. - Staff recommended option 1: let current registrants reserve as many weeks as they wish, then reopen remaining slots to the public. Commissioners asked staff to circulate the options by email; the chair said he would decide quickly to allow staff sufficient time to finalize staffing, buses and trip reservations.
Ending
Commissioners signaled support for moving quickly so staff can finalize plans. Staff will circulate the options and, pending board direction, will implement the selected registration approach and report back.
