It’s summer camp season at the Youthclub of Strathmore. Registration for summer camp at the Youthclub of Strathmore is up this year.

“It’s been really good, we’ve been full for every week,” said Halle Cockx, summer camp co-ordinator. “And even if kids drop out, we’ve filled the spot in two seconds.”

“We have a big waiting list,” said explained Hannah McGee, assistant youth programmer.

Cockx explained that summer camp registration typically begins in May. Depending on the circumstance, there may also be a few spots that open up throughout the summer.

“We filled up extremely quickly compared to other years and have stayed full at our max,” said McGee.

This week is Hero Week at the youthclub, and that means local kids will be learning about and from everyday heroes in their community.

“We are looking at our local heroes, so teaching kids that heroes are not just super heroes. W e have real life heroes,” said Cockx. Participants visited local EMTs on Tuesday August 7, and had a visit to the fire hall on Wednesday where they learned about fire safety from local fire fighters.

“Today we have the RCMP officer here talking about what he does and about how he’s a hero,” she said.

One of the reasons for the popularity of the youthclub summer camp is the diverse range of activities offered for kids. Participants go on field trips once a week, for example to Calgary, swimming, jumphouse gymnastics and the splash park.

“We also have, which a lot of parents like, a community service aspect every Friday,” said McGee.

“Years ago we started doing this community service project and the kids used to pick a charity that they wanted to donate their money to. On a Friday we could do a car wash, or a lemonade stand, or a bake sale,” she said. “For the past four years the kids have collectively always picked the Children’s Hospital, due to the fact that almost 100 per cent of them have been there and really appreciated the stay and the services that they got,” said McGee.

“Every year, all summer, all of the money that we raise goes directly to the Children’s Hospital,” she said. In the past, the hospital has offered the club tours as well. “We donate toys, we go and buy lots of toys and so that is another reason that parents really like that too. We get involved in the community,” she said.