It's not too early to register for summer camp

Even though most parents have their thoughts on winter activities for their children right now, YMCA Sudbury is already planning a summer of fun.

It appears at least some parents are already thinking ahead to the warm season, though.

Summer Brooks, the registrar of summer camps for the Sudbury YMCA, says that the YMCA camping office has been extremely busy with parents registering their children for John Island Camp and Camp Falcona for 2015. Both camps are owned and operated by the YMCA of Sudbury.

"This is the busiest year we have experienced, as more campers are being registered and at an earlier date," Brooks said. "Hundreds of parents seem to have summer camp in their minds right in the middle of winter."

YMCA John Island Camp will be celebrating its 61st year of children's camping in 2015 and YMCA Camp Falcona, which has been operated by the YMCA since 1999, will be celebrating its 78th year of operation this year.

It was originally owned and operated by Falconbridge Nickel Mines.

The YMCA overnight camping program caters to campers from six to 16 years of age in co-ed sessions and both camps offer extensive leadership training programs for older teens.

Overnight camping is a valued program of the YMCA, said Kim Kanmacher, CEO of the Sudbury YMCA.

"The camps have a major positive influence on the development of boys and girls," said Kanmacher. "Previous campers tell us regularly that their years at camp was one of the most influential experiences in their lives."

The cold winds and dark skies of winter are not keeping the warm thoughts of summer activities and friendships from the minds of families across the north as they sign up for overnight camp this summer.

Fort more information, visit www.johnisland.ymca.ca and www.falcona.ymca.ca or phone the YMCA at 705-674-6171.