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Sandown Rec Director reports full weeks, staff progress and lifeguard hiring
Summary
The recreation director reported multiple full camp weeks, a pending refund request, progress on counselor applications and one recommended lifeguard hire; commissioners discussed the need for a MESH counselor and possible contingency plans if unfilled by late May.
The Sandown Recreation Commission heard a report on camp operations at its April 15 meeting, including enrollment, staff recruitment and a pending refund request.
The director reported a refund request from a family for week five of camp (two children) and said several weeks are full, including the Fourth of July week. "We are officially full for 2 weeks at camp," the director said, noting some weeks have wait lists.
On staffing, the director said seven staff members have returned and several applications for counselors were received, but there were no applicants yet for the MESH (mental, emotional, social health) counselor position. The director said the MESH counselor supports smaller groups and mediates when campers have behavioral or emotional needs; commissioners agreed to revisit the position if it remains unfilled by the end of May and discussed options such as recruiting from local school paras.
The director recommended hiring a lifeguard interviewed that day, calling the applicant "wonderful" and noting she could begin with summer camp training. If hired, the director said the department would have three lifeguards (including two returning lifeguards), a level the director called adequate though not ideal; the stated ideal was around five lifeguards.
Commissioners also discussed camp logistics such as bus quotes (pending), and planned items for the end-of-year luau. The director said staff would hold off on cancelling a rented foam canon until an adequate purchased alternative or reliable replacement could be secured so the event is not left without the feature.
No formal votes were recorded on hiring or refund requests at the meeting; the director said she would make a recommendation on the lifeguard hire to the board.
