The Greater La Grange Area summer day camp offers more than just fun and games.

The camp also offers valuable life lessons in staying healthy and accepting others.

The annual summer camp, which offers both full and half-day sessions, is under way at Countryside Park in Countryside. Unlike many programs that offer a summer alternative for children, the YMCA camp differs in that it provides children with more than just something to do.

“We try to promote healthy behavior and healthy living,” camp director Lisa Di Santo said. “We have speakers come in to emphasize the importance of active lifestyles.”

There are 10 one-week sessions in all. The first session began the second week of June, and the last session will begin Aug. 11. The program is staffed by 15 counselors, most of which are either college students or recent graduates, said Di Santo, a University of Illinois graduate who will be attending graduate school at Rush University in Chicago this fall.

Those participating in the full-day Traveler’s Camp are taken to other YMCAs in the area for different activities, Di Santo said.

“On Friday, we go to the Indian Boundary YMCA in Downers Grove for swimming and rock climbing,” Di Santo said. “On Thursday, we go to the Elmhurst YMCA and go swimming there. We also go on one field trip during the week. Those trips have taken campers to water parks, the Enchanted Castle amusement park, even a Cougar’s baseball game. All trips, Di Santo said, are planned with physical activity in mind.

A typical day begins with a formal camp opening, then children are broken up into groups according to age. From there, counselors are assigned, and they follow lesson plans that include sporting activities and arts and crafts prepared the week before. Campers bring their own lunches for the full-day session.

Counselor Erica Maldonado, a La Grange Park resident and high school teacher at Lane Tech in Chicago, said the team of counselors also works hard at teaching children how to accept each other for who they are.

“We have kids of different socio-economic levels,” Maldonado said. “Everyone starts out as friends. No matter what their status is, all of these kids are so accepting of each other. Those are life lessons that are taught in school, but if they are carried through in the summer, it becomes ingrained.”
Camper Niko Iacono likes the camaraderie that forms between campers.

“There are a lot of nice counselors and kids to play with and hang out with,” the 10-year-old said. “It’s a lot more fun than just sitting by yourself.”
Brookfield resident Jordan Eckhart, 9, is particularly fond of the string art projects that are taught during the arts and crafts sessions.
Then again, she still is just a kid.

“We get to play around all day,” she said.