Lack Of Enrollment Spells Disappointment      For Day Camp —

A ‘Sad, Sad Year’ At Dickinson

By Kendra Bobowick

Drowned are the immediate prospects of a once flourishing day camp at Dickinson Pond, according to Parks and Recreation officials.

“This is a sad, sad year,” Recreation Supervisor RoseAnn Reggiano said. “Registration numbers are very low.” The roughly 200 or more participants traditionally signing up for the Dickinson day camp have dropped to below 60, without any official explanation. The severe decline in enrollment coincides with the pool’s recent closing due to health code violations. Essentially the pool, now backfilled and groomed for a field, did not hold enough water per bather to meet current health codes.

Parks and Recreation Commission members wondered aloud if the pool closing affected the registrations. Director Barbara Kasbarian glanced at commission members Tuesday night, explaining, “It absolutely has to do with the pool.”

Although Ms Kasbarian had her concerns about enrollment since the pool closed, she was still surprised by the numbers.

“I knew it was going to drop considerably, but I didn’t think it was going to drop this much,” she said.

Turning to Ms Reggiano, Ms Kasbarian asked if the children who normally signed up for Dickinson day camp had gone to Treadwell Park instead. Unfortunately the campers have not enrolled at the other town park, which has a pool.

“Most of the Treadwell sign-ups are Treadwell people [from previous years] and they aren’t coming from Dickinson,” Ms Reggiano said.

Unpleasantly surprising to Ms Kasbarian is another program she thought would do well. The new Half Pint Program for 4- and 5-year-olds that is offered for three hours a day is also suffering before it has begun.

“People have been crying for years that they want a half-day session,” she said. Only one person has signed up so far, which concerns Ms Kasbarian.

Suggesting one possibility for the lack of participants, she said, “It could be because it was going to be held at Dickinson.”

Remaining open to the public and used for programs are Treadwell and the pool at Newtown High School. The NHS pool will be open as of June 26. Summer hours are from 11 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday only. A summer pool pass is required.

Ms Kasbarian is looking into water slides and sprinklers for the children to enjoy this season.

Poor registration numbers will impact more than just the campers who have changed their plans for this year.

“As a result, this will impact everyone all the way around,” Ms Kasbarian said. Lack of funding from registration causes one concern she said. Counselors will also suffer.

“We won’t have as many counselors, and it doesn’t look like there will be any new hires,” she said.