- December 5, 2025
Legend Austin, Jaime and Jasmine Cope, Ryleigh and Ella Stenson play at the SONC playground with their counselor, Shannon Bender. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Boys play basketball at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center during the Summer Connections Camp. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Boys play basketball at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center during the Summer Connections Camp. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Boys play basketball at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center during the Summer Connections Camp. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Anthony and Bryce race each other outside the South Ormond Neighborhood Center during the Summer Connections Camp. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Brendon and Bryce race each other outside the South Ormond Neighborhood Center during the Summer Connections Camp. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Liviston Edwards cleans the playground equipment before another group of children utilize it. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Alexis Williams checks each child's temperature during the Summer Connections Camp. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
This year's Summer Connections Camp might have been modified due to COVID-19, but the counselors' mission hasn't changed: They still wanted the campers to have fun.
The first day of camp saw 29 children enrolled, though up to 45 are able to take part. According to a press release by the city, the summer camp is being offered to help parents with critical childcare needs this summer. Participation is open to children 6-12 years old.
Campers were split into small groups at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center and the Nova Community Center. Temperatures will be checked each morning and staff members are required to wear face masks indoors.
Many of these kids have been cooped up at home for months, and finally have a chance to play with other children their age, said Liviston Edwards, recreation leader at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center. Though there will be no fields trips this year, the counselors are keeping the kids busy with games and activities.
Surfaces are cleaned often, which Liviston said is one of the most important things they as counselors can do. When it's all said and done, parents need to know their kids will be safe.
"You can't always fix the world, but you can do what you can do," Edwards said.
Registration is still open. Call 676-3250 or visit the Leisure Services office at 399 N. U.S. 1.
