Gahanna outlines expanding youth and family programs; camps report strong demand

Gahanna Parks staff outlined an expansion of youth and family programming and confirmed robust summer-camp demand as they prepare for 2026.

"Total campers last year are 1,750," Nicole said while summarizing 2025 registrations, adding that staff tracked 471 unique campers. Staff said many sessions sold out, Camp Begins (preschool) reached 126 of 128 spots, and Camp Thrive (ages 12–14) had four of eight weeks fill. Brian Gill, recreation superintendent, said the department has increased year‑round staff and emphasized stronger seasonal hiring and returning counselors.

To better support campers with higher behavioral needs, staff announced they will hire a behavior specialist. Nicole described the role as primarily supporting on-site staff and parents by helping create behavior plans and practical visual schedules, not serving as a clinical counselor: "So it doesn't necessarily mean that they have to have that full background...the goal is more so to give our staff the ability to handle some of those behaviors." Staff said the specialist will split time between outreach to parents and on-site assistance so camps can remain safe and inclusive.

Staff also reviewed specialty and contractual camps (examples included Columbus Children's Theatre and Bali Sports), enrichment programming that brought outside partners to site-based events, and partnerships for 2026 including Busy Bees (STEAM), Music Together (infant–4), Super Tots (DBAC Columbus) and Gym Skills mobile gymnastics. Summer registration for residents opens next Thursday at 9 a.m.; nonresident registration opens the following Monday at 9 a.m. Staff said Camp Hannah, Friendship, Begins and Thrive will run multiple weeks beginning the Tuesday after Memorial Day.

The presentation concluded with plans to expand programming at the upcoming Exploration Center and to continue community partnerships such as Peace Lutheran for facility use.