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Kids playing a game at RAD Camp. The summer camp is a recreation service through Johnson Center.
Kids playing a game at RAD Camp. The summer camp is a recreation service through Johnson Center.

Kid's camp to cure summer boredom

To cure that boredom, UNM Recreational Services at Johnson Center is offering the Recreational Activities Day Camp program.

Lisa Romero, a coordinator for recreational services, said the RAD Camp program began almost 20 years ago and, at the time, lasted for only a couple of weeks. Increased demand over the years has caused the program expand to cover nine weeks and support up to 30 children.

The program offers a wide variety of activities, including scavenger hunts, demonstrations from the chemistry department, swimming, running, sports and other physical activities. So far this summer, kids in the program have also gone to view a movie downtown and to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science to learn about marine life. There are also plans to go miniature golfing, she said.

“We try to find a balance of activities that are both educational and fun,” Romero said.

Brandon Encinias, a senior university studies major, works as a supervisor at RAD Camp. Encinias started as a counselor four years ago and has worked as a supervisor for the last two years. He said he thinks the activities offered at the camp are a great benefit to the development of young children.

“The games and activities teach leadership and teamwork,” Encinias said.

He said he has noticed that some of the shy kids respond well to the environment and come out of their shells. One of the best aspects of the program, he said, is the friendships that are forged during the sessions. In fact, several of the children often exchange information so they can communicate through text or social media.

Many of the children like to stick with popular games like dodgeball, kickball or capture the flag, he said. The counselors often try to incorporate new or uncommon games to avoid repetition, but sometimes the kids resist trying something new. Once they actually start playing, however, the kids usually enjoy it, Encinias said.

A testament to the effectiveness of the RAD Camp program can be seen in the reactions of the children when it’s over. Encinias said he has seen kids crying at the end of a session because they don’t want to leave. While sad to see, it can also be rewarding to know the children had so much fun, he said.

Shane Pierson, 10, and Benito Martinez, 12, met each other three years ago, when they first began attending the camp.

Pierson said he enjoys the camp because it gives him an opportunity to play sports. Participating in outdoor activities and seeing art are two of his favorite parts of RAD Camp, he said.

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Martinez said what he enjoyed most about the camp is the knowledge that he and his peers are in a safe and fun environment.

Pierson and Martinez both said they are looking forward to continuing their experience at RAD Camp as junior counselors as soon as they are able to do so.

For more information about the RAD Camp, visit recsvcs.unm.edu or call (505) 277-0178.

Robert Maler is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo.

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