Parks & Rec reports heavy summer-camp demand; Long Brook sold out in six minutes

Recreation Department staff told the Parks and Recreation Committee that summer-camp demand is strong, with multiple playground sites selling out the first day registration opened and staffing work underway.

Andre Brown said registration opened April 1 and that five of seven playground-camp locations sold out on the first day. “Long Brook Park, which is our most popular location, for playground camps that sold out in 6 minutes. Registration opened at 8 in the morning. That was sold out by 08:06,” he said, and reported a Long Brook wait list of about 60 children. Andre said the department logged “more than a thousand registrations on the first day” across sports, arts, theater, preschool and specialty camps. He added the department expects about 235 seasonal employees this summer and that hiring and prescreening are underway.

Andre said the department is considering whether to expand capacity or raise fees; the current maximum per camp cited in the meeting was 110 children. Some committee members recommended modest price increases to reflect wage pressures; others urged caution to keep programs accessible. Aileen, Bill and others said Stratford residents receive priority for field and program scheduling.

On lifeguards, Andre reported a strong return rate: “we do have a a large amount, a lot of returners,” he said. Catherine said Sterling House has not posted its lifeguard positions and is “behind the 8 ball”; she asked whether Andre could offer extra hours so lifeguards could split time between beach and Sterling House. Andre said he would follow up.

Andre also listed several near-term events — including the Little Pug 5K (May 5), Bikes & Beer (May 11), waterfront tag sale (May 18) and a fishing derby (May 19) — and noted that sticker checking at both Long Beach and Short Beach begins May 24, Memorial Day weekend.