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Belmont reviews 2025 youth and teen summer programs; aquatics, Camp SOAR expanded
Summary
Recreation Supervisor Michael Moran told the commission on Oct. 1 that the youth and teen division ran aquatics, expanded Camp SOAR, increased volunteer swimmer-aid participation, launched scholarships and is moving to digital check-in; commissioners asked about capacity, hours and equity.
On Oct. 1 the Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission heard a detailed recap from Recreation Supervisor Michael Moran on the 2025 youth and teen summer programs, including the department's first season running aquatics, Camp SOAR enrollment and a new scholarship program.
Moran told the commission the youth and teen division (3.5 full-time equivalent staff) took over summer aquatics at Claremont High School for a six-week season that offered lap swim, rec swim and three-session swim lessons for ages 4'0. The department hired 16 part-time staff for the season (eight returning), and said nine of those part-time staff live in Belmont.
The presentation emphasized volunteer and workforce development. Moran said the department significantly increased its pool of swimmer-aides (volunteer CIT-style assistants aged about 13—7) to 13 this year, up from four the previous year. For the broader youth program, 68 youth applied to the CIT program; 48 were accepted and contributed about 2,100 volunteer hours over eight weeks. Moran said seven staff this year had previously served as CITs.
Commissioners were told Camp SOAR (Camp Summer Outdoor Adventure and Recreation) ran from Barrett Community Center this year after a site move and recorded strong enrollment: Moran said 84% of camp enrollments were Belmont residents and reported 837 total enrollments for the summer. The department said it used surveys, staff interviews and a new ActiveNet/Connect tablet check-in module to gather attendance and timing data used in planning.
The department announced new and continuing access measures. City Council allocated funds to reserve $8,000 for year-round scholarships for the 2026 budget cycle, Moran said. In addition, the department reported $2,500 in community donations this summer and said it awarded $2,155 to Camp SOAR scholarships and $155 to contractor camps. Moran said the department will launch an aquatic scholarship application for the 2026 season, and that registration materials for 2026 will be posted online starting Dec. 1.
Moran described program changes informed by data and participant feedback. The swim lesson program was restructured to follow the American Red Cross framework, swim report cards were redesigned for in-house printing, and the department plans to offer adaptive and private swim lessons in 2026. A swim-test day run during staff training drew more than 40 attendees and, Moran said, helped staff place children into appropriate levels on site.
The commission heard the department will change Camp SOAR hours next year based on check-in/out analytics. Camp hours will shift from 8 a.m. '05 p.m. to 8 a.m. '05:30 p.m., with the former aftercare charge ($30/week) restructured so $15 of that fee is folded into the base camp price; Moran said this adjustment aims to simplify registration while preserving the net revenue used to cover staffing costs.
Moran also summarized the summer inclusion program (to be renamed Adaptive Camp in 2026), which sold out four of five weeks with a total of 24 signups (capacity 25) and provided one-on-one supports and a sensory "Cozy Corner." He said staff are evaluating use of Twin Pines Park cottage and other spaces to balance contractor camps and adaptive services when the department returns to Twin Pines.
Commissioners and other speakers praised the department's use of data and the CIT-to-staff pipeline; questions from commissioners focused on capacity for lessons and lap swim, the decision to move Camp SOAR to Barrett for 2025, heat-map analysis of participant addresses, and planning for the 12—4 age range. Moran said mornings were less popular for lessons, evenings had higher demand, and that the department plans targeted outreach and is exploring middle-school programming for future summers.
"We were given some funds from our City Council, so we're able to offer for the first time aquatic scholarships, starting for the 2026 season," Moran told the commission during his presentation.
The commission did not take a formal policy vote on any program changes at the Oct. 1 meeting; the item was presented for information, questions and direction.
Less-critical details: the department reported 1,433 visits recorded for rec and lap swim sessions this summer and said the ActiveNet/Connect module is being used for check-in at selected programs and events. Contract summer camps this year were reduced to 14 contractors (from 20 in 2024) because of the site move; the department hosted roughly 140 contractor camp sessions over eight weeks and reported about 2,300 contractor enrollments overall.
The department listed several sponsorships and donors supporting scholarships and events, including the Belmont Waterdog Run, Belmont Community Foundation and the Rotary Club of Belmont.
The commission moved on after a 20- to 30-minute Q&A; Moran said staff will return with additional data (including a heat-map of participant addresses) and that 2026 program guides and registration details will be posted in December.
