Grand Rapids Offering Free Summer Camp, Hiring Camp Counselors

Know any kiddos looking for fun, free activities this summer?

City of Grand Rapids Offering Free Summer Camp for Kids

For the seventh year the City of Grand Rapids is offering free summer day camp for area youth.

Registration is now open for the program, which serves more than 200 children.

The camps run Monday through Friday, June 10 to August 16 and are open to kids ages five to 14.

Here are the locations of the camps and the hours for their free summer camp programs:

Garfield Park (250 Burton St. SE) - noon to 4p.m.
Calvin Christian Reformed Church/Martin Luther King Park (700 Ethel Ave. SE/1200 M.L.K. Jr. St. SE) - noon to 4p.m.
Roosevelt Park (739 Van Raalte Dr. SW) - 11a.m. to 3p.m.

Activities at the camps include arts and crafts, outdoor adventures, sports, swimming, movement and dance, STEM, and more.

Interested in the program? You can sign up here.

City of Grand Rapids Hiring Camp Counselors

The City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department is also looking to hire a camp counselors for the summer.

Counselors will work approximately five hours-a-day, 25 hours-a-week. Pay starts at $16 per hour. Those interested in applying must be 15 or older and have at least six months of experience working with youth.

The City’s parks and recreation director, David Marquardt, says,

Our Summer Day Camp program is an important resource providing safe, fun and engaging activities for youth in our community. Our counselors are a major part of what make the program possible and successful.

Interested applicants can learn more and apply online here.

Outdoor Games, Gear, and Equipment You Can Rent for FREE From Grand Rapids Gear Library

Grand Rapid Parks and Recreation recently added skateboards to the Thrive Outside Gear Library. Did you know about all the cool stuff you can rent for free? Just about anything you'd need for a camping trip you'll find in the Gear Library at Roosevelt Park Gym, plus team sports equipment, clothing, picnic supplies, even gear for cold weather activities too! The Gear Library is located at the gym at Roosevelt Park at 739 Van Raalte Dr. SW in Grand Rapids. The library is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Gallery Credit: Janna