DeKALB – Fredericka Willis of DeKalb said when she first signed her 7-year-old son, Olajuwaun, up for Camp Power last year, he won a fishing contest, which was a bit of a surprise since he had never picked up a rod and reel before.
This year, she said her son is excited about any fishing and swimming activities that will take place during the annual Camp Power event, which offers free programs and lunch to children living in University Village Apartments.
“I like that he’s able to get out of the house over the summer and can meet with friends,” Willis said. “I think it’s good for the kids and to do it at University Village is really nice.”
A kickoff event and picnic was heldat the low-income apartments Thursday where volunteers said about 30 kids have signed up so far. Camp Power director Tatyana Curtis said about 50 kids were signed up last year but the hope is to double that number for 2018.
The program runs from June 11 to Aug. 2, Monday through Thursday, and will feature a couple of new trips for the kids, Curtis said. Blackberry Farm and the SciTech Hands On Museum in Aurora will be two of the new stops.
Nancy Prange, Northern Illinois University’s dietetic internship director, said another change this year will be to move the academic portion of each day to the afternoon.
“Getting kids here in the morning is not always an easy sell,” Prange said. “We’re hoping this will be a smoother transition.”
There also will be themes for each week of Camp Power, such as athletics, arts, water activities and the community. Activities each week will correspond to the theme.
Camp Power is made possible through the support of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the city of DeKalb and residents. Kishwaukee Family YMCA CEO Mark Spiegelhoff said the support of DeKalb police also has been crucial.
Officers are at each day’s events in order to develop good relationships with University Village families, he said.
For information about Camp Power, visit the Kishwaukee Family YMCA website, kishymca.org/camp-power/. Volunteers are able to sign up at
SignUpGenius.