Huntington – Supervisor Chad A.
Lupinacci encouraged special needs families to apply for Camp Bright Star, the Town’s summer
day camp designed to provide fun and friendship for children and teens with
special needs, allowing special needs youths to enjoy camp life in a structured
and safe environment.
“What makes us so unique and special
is that we are a small camp. Camp Bright Star is a family where everyone feels
accepted, respected and welcomed,” said Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. “Under
the leadership of Camp Director Serena Kindler, we have an excellent team that
is dedicated to provide the best care to each individual camper.”
New applicants should submit the
Town’s application by Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Applications are processed on a
first-come, first-served basis with preference given to eligible children,
Huntington residents, and the child’s appropriateness for camp. There is no
guarantee of placement as there are a limited number of camp openings.
At a program cost of $270 with a
Resident Recreation ID card and $600 without a Recreation ID card, Camp Bright
Star is much less expensive than other camps, where tuition for the summer can
cost up to $6,000 or more. Transportation is provided for Huntington residents.
Non-residents can access the bus transportation by dropping the camper off at a
scheduled bus stop in Huntington.
Camp Bright Star’s 2019 program
operates from Tuesday, July 2 through Friday, August 9 at Oakwood Primary
School in South Huntington. The camp also offers trips that families often look
forward to their children experiencing. Program hours are 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM,
Monday through Friday. Camp will be closed on Independence Day, Thursday, July
4.
Every applicant will be interviewed
prior to joining the camp in order to ensure the camp environment is an
appropriate fit for the potential camper. Interviews will be conducted for
Huntington residents on Monday, May 6 and Monday, May 13 from 3:00 PM to 8:00
PM at Town Hall. Interviews for non-residents will be held on Monday, May 20
from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM in Town Hall or sooner depending on enrollment.
Applicants will be contacted in April by email; applicants must include an
email address on the application.
The application, which includes a
section to be completed by a doctor, and a check (make payable to the Town of
Huntington) should be sent as soon as possible. The deadline for applications
is Wednesday, May 1, mailed to the Town of Huntington, Parks & Recreation
Department, ATT: Camp Bright Star, 100 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
If the application is missing information, it should be mailed along with a
check before the deadline; missing information may be submitted at a later
date.
Applicants may still register if
they are only attending for one or two weeks to fit their summer schedule. If
the potential camper is on any medications, the applicant must submit a copy of
each prescription and give it to the Camp Nurse on the first day of the
program.
If the potential camper will be
accompanied by a paraprofessional, or “shadow,” applicants must call the Parks
and Recreation Department at (631) 351-3094 for specific instructions. All
requests must be made no later than Friday, May 10, 2019; no requests will
be accepted after this date.
Register for Camp Bright Star to
receive the application and instructions on applying at: http://www.huntingtonny.gov/camp-bright-star
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