Summer kids programs thrive in tight economy

Published online on Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2009

Not everyone is hurting these days from the prolonged recession.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s kids camp, Fresno State’s academic summer programs for young students and inexpensive getaways close to home — like shuttles to the Sierras — all are attracting more people this summer than usual.

Organizers and participants point to the economy as one reason why some parents are turning to affordable local programs and camps to keep their children entertained this summer.

Fresno grandmother Susan Medina said she’s found that day camps are a cheap alternative to joining a country club, for example, for expensive swimming lessons.

She’s enrolled her 7-year-old granddaughter and 10-year-old grandson into two weeks’ worth of science camps at the California State University, Fresno, Continuing & Global Education program.

“You get a lot of value for your money and the kids are really enjoying it,” Medina said.

Berta Gonzalez, associate vice president for the program, said she anticipates having 500 to 600 students attend the camps this summer. Last year, there were about 400, she said.

The program, which costs between $100 and $300 per week, offers two veterinary camps this summer that have a waiting list of 30 kids. The fashion and design camp, the science and adventure camp, the space and rocketry camp, and the gizmos and robots camp all are full, as well.

Gonzalez said the camps are popular because they are an affordable way to keep kids academically engaged and entertained during the summer.

“People are making choices and they are being very practical” in how they spend money, Gonzalez said.

The deep recession has people all across the central San Joaquin Valley looking for cheap ways to enjoy the summer.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is seeing just as many visitors as last year despite the poor economy, reflecting a national trend of steady or increased zoo attendance. Zoos in cities including Cincinnati, St. Louis, Baltimore, Kansas City, Mo., and Memphis, Tenn., are reporting higher attendance as families look to stay closer to home. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo attracted about 430,000 visitors last year at $7 a ticket.

“We tend to be a pretty good value for families,” said Director Scott Barton. “We’re less expensive than a movie.”

The zoo’s summer programs for kids also have been popular this year.

Last year, the weeklong camps attracted about 500 kids ages 3 to 17. So far this year, about 650 have registered for the camps, said the zoo’s education director Adrienne Castro. The weeklong camps cost $205 for nonmembers.

“I was kind of worried it was going to be lower due to the recession, but it looks like families are staying closer to home and not going on vacation,” Castro said. “This gives kids the opportunity to do something fun and their parents can still afford it.”

Some families are looking for ways to escape the heat without paying for a coastal vacation.

The city of Visalia’s summer shuttle to Sequoia National Park already has attracted 2,000 riders in the last month, said Gamaliel Anguiano, a transit analyst for the city. During the entire summer season last year, the shuttle transported about 5,000 people.

The shuttle costs $15 for a round trip and a park pass is not required.

“We find that a lot of our local folks are looking inward for a vacation,” Anguiano said. “We expect our ridership to be just as good if not better than last year.”

Not all summer programs are seeing an uptick, however. Pamela Scribner, who owns the Aur Destiny Ranch in Easton said her weeklong horseback riding camps haven’t attracted as many kids as last summer. The camp cost $100.

“People think they can do it, but then they call back and say they can’t put together the $20 per day. I feel real bad for them,” Scribner said. “People are looking for anything free to put their kids in to keep them busy.”