Kingsville Parks and Rec Hosts Spring Break Camp for Kids
From paintings to crafts and running on dirt paths, kids in Kingsville were given the opportunity to have fun for spring break while school was out.
The Kingsville Parks and Recreation Department held a Spring Break Camp for children this past week, filled with indoor and outdoor activities to both entice their creative sides, and get them moving.
Regina Baez, Youth Program Assistant at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office for Kleberg-Kenedy Counties, said the kids were able to take part in running relays, using jump ropes, and doing scavenger hunts while outdoors.
“We definitely wanted to make sure that they were gonna get some activity outdoors, especially because some of them have been indoors for quite a while,” Baez said. “And along with some of those games the kids were actually able to earn some prizes for the Minute to Win it. Those games are only a minute each of the of the activities, but it gets them going and they really enjoy having fun.”
Baez said the kids also had the chance to work on arts and crafts activities while indoors, using paints, color pencils, and beads on their projects. “We decided to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little bit early, so we gave them sheets of paper with a ‘Pot of Gold’ to see how creative they can get,” she added.
Camp staff were able to help the kids anytime they needed assistance during the activities. (Photo by Frank Cardenas)
Nora Montemayor, Administrative Assistant for the parks office, said she was glad this year they were able to host the events for kids who were unable to participate last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We didn’t have anything last year, so we’re actually happy to be back this year. We opened up to 50 kids, but we’ve had a little over 22 the past couple of days,” Montemayor said. “Parents are happy that we have something for the kids, and they have given us feedback from the kids about how much fun they have had, so it’s worth it.”
Montemayor said the camp was run with COVID-19 protocols in place, so that all the kids could enjoy the activities safely. The campers, she said, were “very cooperative” with following the protocols for the camp.
“They have kept their masks on and when we did activities outside, they took them off, but we kept them more than six feet apart,” Montemayor said. “These kids were not allowed to interact with the others’ stuff, so they were given their own little cubbies, and their own supplies. We continued to give them hand sanitizer constantly, or had them wash their hands. We made sure to keep with the CDC guidelines.”
Montemayor and Baez agreed the camp was necessary because it gives the kids a chance to interact with others; but it also helps them spread the message of being kind to one another.
“We definitely want to make sure that they are being safe here and we are encouraging them to of course, have fun, but also do it in a safe manner and being kind,” Baez said. “Especially here at Camp when there are other kids who don't even know each other; but I've already heard from a few here that they're friends now, so it’s been a great experience for them, and for us.”