Parks and Recreation ... No the REAL Parks and Recreation

Summer Camp in Pottstown can be fun AND inexpensive

Aficionados of modern comedy television will no doubt recognize the title "Parks and Recreation," an Amy Poehler and, Rob Lowe vehicle about the people who run a terminally dysfunctional department in the imaginary town of Pawnee, Ind.

However, in real life Pottstown, the Parks and Recreation Department is one of the best values in town, and that becomes particularly evident during the summer.

Just perusing the 2012 summer newsletter gives a glimpse into the many ways to have summer fun on the cheap, for those smart enough to take the time to look.

One good example is the Summer Camp program.

It runs for 12 weeks from June 18 to Aug. 24 for ages 5 through 13 and costs less than $100 per child per week. Try finding prices like that at any private camps. Even better, it offers numerous flexible options.

Borough residents pay $95 per child per week or only $20 per day, if you just need a few days covered. Non residents can sign up their child for $105 per week or $22 per day.

The pool at French Creek State Park is one field trip

But you also can sign up for half-day morning camp, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for $10 a day or $45 per week; or half-day afternoon camp from 12 to 5 p.m. for $15 a day or $65 per week. And for an additional $10 per week per child, they can remain as late as 6 p.m. if that's what your schedule requires.

You pay only for the days or weeks that your child attends.

(There is a $40 registration fee for the first child and $35 for each additional child.)

The all-day program is run at Rupert Elementary School and the price includes a camp T-shirt, all Summer Adventure Field Trips, lunch as well as a morning and afternoon snack.

Dorney Park is just one place to which the Pottstown
Parks & Recreation Dept. sells discount tickets.

Those field trips include French Creek State Park, Ringing Rocks Roller Rink and the Adventure Aquarium. Afternoon activities will include swimming, the Fountain of Youth Spray Park at Memorial Park, bowling, miniature golf, roller skating and the movies.

The half-day Summer Adventure camp is coordinated with Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Pottstown School District and is run at three elementary schools, Lincoln, Rupert and Franklin.

The Parks and Recreation Department is also a great source for discount park tickets. Parks for which discount tickets are available range from: Adventure Aquarium in Camden, to Baltimore Aquarium, Busch Gardens (Virginia),Sesame Place, Sea World, Longwood Gardens, Hershey Park, Dorney Park, Six Flags/Great Adventure the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and Dutch Wonderland, to name a few.

Discounts range from $4 to $14. For more information, call the department at 970-6608. For a complete list, see the Summer 2012 Newsletter.