Youth Camps to Return This Summer

Youth camps are back on at Phoenix community centers this summer after being wiped out last year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a plan to expand Parks and Recreation Department offerings, allowing PHXPlays Summer Camps for kids ages 6-12 to start at the following 11 facilities on June 7:

• Deer Valley Community Center
• Desert West Community Center
• Eastlake Community Center
• Goelet A.C. Beuf Community Center
• Longview Neighborhood Recreation Center
• Maryvale Community Center
• Paradise Valley Community Center
• Pecos Community Center
• South Mountain Community Center
• Sunnyslope Community Center
• Washington Activity Center

Online registration is encouraged and starts Wednesday, according to a press release. Walk-in registration will be available from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Desert West, Eastlake, Longview, Paradise Valley, South Mountain and Washington. After Wednesday, appointments will be required for in-person sign-ups.

The camps are offered either in eight week long sessions or two month long sessions, depending on location, through July 30. Fees vary by site.

The programs will be limited to 50% capacity at the outset, and face masks will be required. Lunches will be served outside as another COVID-19 mitigation protocol, except on days with inclement weather, including excessive heat.

This year’s camps won’t include field trips or swimming pool activities.

Per the plan, community center capacity will increase and other facilities will open when the city’s COVID-19 transmission rate falls to certain levels.

In March, the city of Phoenix announced that its pools and splash pads will open May 29. Registration for free summer swim lessons opens at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.