Posted on: Thursday, June 13, 2002
School's out, so let the summer fun begin
By Kapono Dowson
Advertiser Staff Writer
| To register
Some city summer fun sites still have openings or are taking names on waiting lists. The program costs $25, plus excursion costs, and runs through July 30. For details, call the individual park (numbers are on Page 35 of the Verizon Hawaii white pages) or Parks and Recreation district offices: East Honolulu 973-7250, West Honolulu 522-7070, Leeward O'ahu 671-0561, Windward O'ahu 233-7300. |
Alma Ho, recreational director at Booth District Park, reached for more peanut butter and bread as the lunchtime rush hit the Pauoa Valley park yesterday.
"Some of the kids forgot their lunches," she explained, making sure her teen volunteers had made enough sandwiches for anyone who needed one.
Out of school and on summer break, 11,000 children flocked to 64 parks and recreation sites across O'ahu yesterday as the city began its annual summer fun program.
The program serves children who have finished kindergarten through the sixth grade, said Arthur Wong, a specialist with the Department of Parks and Recreation. The program offers a variety of daily activities, including crafts, games, some Hawaiiana and lots of physical play. Certain sites also offer swimming.
Ho greeted and organized about 300 youngsters who showed up at Booth Park. The 13-year veteran of summer fun said that back in May, when registration opened, many parents had camped out to be first in line. "I remember coming in at 6:30 in the morning to find a family that had been waiting since 4 a.m. to sign up for the program," Ho said.
Children played ball on the asphalt courts, sang in the hall and learned new games in the gym. They laughed and chattered in organized chaos, watched over by firm but doting teenagers and staff.
Ariel Fo, 10, who completed the fifth grade this year at Ma'ema'e Elementary, said she was "having a lot of fun and played a lot of games," her favorite being knock-out basketball. "I made a lot of friends," she said with a smile.
Jessica Higgins, 11, also finished fifth grade at Ma'ema'e. The two girls were glad to find each other at summer fun. "I like seeing all my friends again, but I also like meeting other new people," Higgins said, seeing a new friend from Lanakila Elementary, Napua Wong, 10.
With an average ratio of one adult per 25 students, the program has 560 summer staff members complemented by an estimated 1,100 junior volunteer leaders between ages 13 and 18.
Hoku Rodriguez, 16, who will be a junior at Roosevelt High School this fall, said she has been a junior volunteer for four years and this year is a staff member who helps with 30 youngsters. "I enjoy teaching them and sharing my values," said Rodriguez, who aspires to a career in counseling or teaching.
Park officials said summer fun has been a longtime tradition in Hawai'i.
"I can't remember when it started," Wong said. "But it's a good service for the public. It helps out the parents and the kids. "
"I wanted them to have fun and something to do," said Rene Young, a mother of two. "Also, you can't go wrong with the money you pay ($25 fee plus excursion costs)."
She said her son Christopher, 8, told his brother Nicklaus, 6, that he'd rather go to summer fun than summer school.
Reach Kapono Dowson at kdowson@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8103.
