BENTONVILLE — Memorial Park turned into Camp Memorial the last two weeks as a hundred children on summer break experienced all the park has to offer.
The one-week sessions were the Parks and Recreation Department’s foray into hosting camps, but the events have so far been a success, said David Wright, department director.
Staff members led half-day sessions with around 50 children at the park June 18-22 and from Monday through Friday. Campers played tennis and soccer, spent time in the pool, planted flowers and competed in a scavenger hunt using GPS.
At A Glance
Mountain Bike Camp
A few spots are still open for a mountain bike camp set for July 23- 26, according to Parks and Recreation director David Wright. The city is partnering with Friends at Slaughter Pen Trail to teach campers biking basics, along with safety and bike maintenance techniques. Campers will take guided trail rides tailored to skill level. The cost is $50 per camper, and campers will received a free bike helmet and a shirt. For more information, call 479-464-7275 or visit bentonvillear.com/parks_camp_bentonville.html.
Staff members took precautions to make sure everyone was safe in the hot temperatures over the past week. Campers were given plenty of water and rest time in the shade.
The response from parents after the camp has been overwhelmingly positive, Wright said.
“The compliments started flowing in last Friday at around 12:30, just after the first camp was over,” Wright said.
Mayor Bob McCaslin said he also had received several email from parents pleased with their children’s experience.
Next up on the schedule is Camp Downtown Bentonville, set for July 9-13 and July 16-20. Fifty children will spend each session exploring downtown buildings and attractions while experiencing outdoor fun, Wright said.
Campers will spend time at the Lawrence Plaza splash pad, mountain bike around the Crystal Bridges trails, go geocaching, visit the library and learn about the local history, according to the city’s website.
“We’ll meet at the Downtown Activity Center and do everything you can possibly do downtown,” Wright said.
The camps, at a cost of $50 a session, fill quickly, he said. The city is looking at offering more sessions or doing larger camps in the future.
“As a department, with these camps, we wanted to just do a couple this year,” Wright said. “We wanted to make sure we know what we’re doing before we grow these things really big.”
Future camps could include an outdoor camp featuring mountain bike rides on the Slaughter Pen Trail and out to Lake Bella Vista, where campers can kayak or canoe in the lake, he said.
Wright said he wants to maintain the current staff to camper ratio of around eight to one. The camp is financially self-sustaining, he said.
“We’re winning with this,” he said. “With every one of our programs, we want to make sure it pays for itself. It doesn’t cost the taxpayers anything.”