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Park board approves 2025 City Kids Day Camp package; no price increase, extra park‑play staffing added
Summary
Board approved the 2025 City Kids Day Camp packet, keeping prices unchanged while expanding field trips, park play integration and staffing. Staff said the program is intended as a community service rather than revenue generator.
The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 19 approved the 2025 City Kids Day Camp (CKDC) packet, keeping participant fees at last year’s level and adding more field trips and park‑play outreach.
Staff said prices remain unchanged to maintain program affordability while expanding activities: more field trips (mostly to local parks), more outdoor time, and an emphasis on arts and crafts following feedback that arts had declined last year. The packet keeps most of the prior year’s counselors (about eight of 10 returning) and adds a new hire to support park‑play outreach.
On finances, staff said the camp’s expenses were budgeted at about $59,000 while revenue was far lower; the program is intentionally subsidized by the department as a public service. Staff said at maximum enrollment (75 children per week across age groups) the program still would not fully cover costs but is intended to provide affordable services to families.
Operational changes include placing two or three staff at park‑play locations in the mornings and afternoons on good‑weather days; those staff will rotate back to CKDC when weather forces indoor programming. Staff said this approach requires hiring one additional CKDC counselor.
A member of the public also addressed the board during the meeting and emphasized that not all municipal programs should be run as revenue generators, calling some city programs “investments” in quality of life.
The motion to accept the 2025 CKDC packet carried on a voice vote.
Why it matters: The packet preserves program affordability and expands outreach to parks across the city, supporting access for children and families while accepting ongoing departmental subsidy.
