Parents looking for fun activities for their children this summer are invited to consider Camp Adventure, a summer program held at the Birdsboro Community Memorial Center. 

Camp Adventure is a nine-week nonprofit summer day camp held in partnership with the United Way of Berks County. Camp is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 12. Five-year-olds must have completed kindergarten to participate. 

"There is no residency requirement, but Birdsboro residents receive a slight discount," explained Lisa Kraljevich, the center's executive director. "We often have campers from Exeter, Twin Valley and Boyertown school districts." 

Camp is run by Kraljevich and Marissa Rapposelli, camp director. Rapposelli is a second-grade learning support teacher at the Daniel Boone Intermediate Center and has been with Camp Adventure for five years. "The majority of our camp counselors are pursuing a career in the education field and have a passion for working with children," noted Kraljevich. "Most campers return year after year; many become (volunteer) junior counselors once they are too old to attend as campers." 

The year, nine weeks of camps will be offered, and each week has a different theme such as "Outdoor Explorers," "Animal Kingdom," "Spy Kids" and "Survivor." Themes change each summer.

Camps will run from Mondays through Fridays, June 17 through Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Camp will be closed on Thursday and Friday, July 4 and 5, for the Independence Day holiday. "There were 104 kids who participated last year," noted Kraljevich. "Most kids sign up for all nine weeks." 

Campers spend the days swimming, hiking, playing sports, doing arts and crafts and participating in reading and STEM activities. "Reading and STEM activities help to prevent the dreaded 'summer slide,'" explained Kraljevich. " 'Summer slide' is what happens when students do not continue to read and participate in educational activities over the summer months. Teachers often have to spend the first three months of school re-teaching the skills lost by those who don't continue to read over the summer months. Our program is geared to help prevent the loss of skills and even help improve reading ability and vocabulary." 

Summer camp also includes field trips, which are included in the camp fee. Last year, the youths visited the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and attended a Reading Fightin Phils baseball game. "This year, we will be going to Hawk Mountain for a live raptor program and hiking," Kraljevich, adding, "Their favorite activities include going to Maple Springs pool two times per week, sports, games and trips to the park." 

Children may attend as many camps as they choose throughout the summer. Extended care is also available for an additional fee. There are discounted rates for siblings, and part-time rates are available.

 For more information about Camp Adventure, call 610-582-2471, email bcmc19508@gmail.com or visit www.bcmcbirdsboro.com and choose "Camp Adventure 2024." More information about activities at the center is available by searching for "Birdsboro Community Memorial Center" on Facebook.