CARY PARK DISTRICT
INTRODUCTION
This summer, the Park District was in the second year of a renewed 3-year License Agreement with McHenry County Conservation District to utilize Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area as the location for the Camp ECHO Day Camp Program. This is the fourteenth year that Camp ECHO has been held at this location. The Preschool was utilized for Sunshine Camp.
Camp ECHO was offered for ten weeks from June 2nd - August 8th. Sunshine Camp was offered for eight weeks from June 9th - August 1st. Camps offered this summer included week long sessions and flex camp (Mon/Wed) options for children 3 - 14 years of age. Registration for both camps were accepted on a weekly basis.
SEASON SUMMARY
Sunshine Camp had a total of 77 unique campers from 73 families attend at least one session of camp this summer. Camp ECHO had a total of 416 unique campers from 293 families attend at least one session of camp this summer.
MULTIPLE SESSION REWARDS
This is the seventeenth summer that the multiple session reward was offered. A $25.00 Park District gift certificate is awarded to participants who complete six or more sessions of Camp ECHO or Camp ECHO Extreme. 147 campers received this award compared to 151 campers in 2024..
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Marketing activities for the Day Camp program were coordinated through the Communications and Marketing Department. Information on the day camp programs were included in the summer brochure, e-mail blasts, social media posts, the Park District website, and the electronic sign at Jaycee Park. Based on the survey results the top ways those registered heard about Camp ECHO were 1) Park District website; 2) word of mouth; 3) summer brochure, 4) dedicated Summer Camp Flipbook Brochure on website landing page, next to the Program Guide.
Summer camp information became available online on March 4 posted “now available” and mini catalog went live on main landing page.
Media Posts and Mentions March
DAY CAMP REVENUE COMPARISON
Includes Camp ECHO & Sunshine Camp
$99,442
$105,846
$114,492 Contributions to Operations
2025 DAY CAMP REGISTRATIONS
By Camp and Session
DAY CAMP ANNUAL COMPARISON OF TOTAL REGISTRATIONS
MINIMUM WAGE IMPACT ON DAY CAMP
This year there was a required state increase to the minimum wage, raising the state wage to $15.00 per hour. Both camps continued to stay competitive with their staff wages by implementing yearly increases for returning staff.
NUMBER OF CAMP SESSIONS ATTENDED PER CHILD
Sunshine, Sunshine Flex, Camp ECHO, ECHO Extreme, ECHO Flex
The chart below indicates the number of day camp sessions attended per child throughout the summer. The numbers show that an increased number of kids are attending camp for more weeks throughout the summer than in years past.
Total Enrollment in Camp by Grade
Sunshine, Sunshine Flex, Camp ECHO, ECHO Extreme, ECHO Flex Grade levels reflects grade in which camper will be entering in the fall
CARY COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 26
TOTAL ENROLLMENT BY GRADE Figures from SD 26 Enrollment Reports
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF EACH CAMP
SUNSHINE CAMP
LOCATION
Cary Park District Preschool
AGES
3 - 5 year olds
DURATION
Eight weeks, June 9 - August 1
DAYS & TIMES
Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 1:00pm
FLEX
Mon & Wed 9:15 am - 1:15 pm
Nine staff were hired for Sunshine Camp, three of which were subs only. A Camp Director was hired and worked in a dual role as a Flex Camp Counselor and as the Camp Director.
All camp games, activities, and crafts were designed around weekly themes.
Session 1 – Camping Week
Session 2 – Ocean Week
Session 3 – On the Farm Week
Session 4 – 4th of July Week
Session 5 – Dino Week
Session 6 – Rainbow Week
Session 7 – Sports Week
Session 8 – Space Week
Sunshine Camp consisted of circle time, free play, stories, and art projects that went along with the theme of the week, outdoor play, and more. Water day was held on the last day of camp each week. Children enjoyed playing in the sprinklers and at the water table, chasing bubbles, and using sidewalk chalk.
ONLINE SURVEYS
Electronic surveys were sent to Sunshine Camp parents. Results were received for sessions 1-4 & 5-8 with a total of 15 responses. Below are the results.
SUNSHINE CAMP SURVEY RESULTS
Question 1
Do you find the Sunshine Camp counselors to be (strongly agree/agree/disagree/ strongly disagree):
A: Courteous B: Able to effectively communicate and answer your questions.
C: Sensitive and caring when interacting with your child
D: Actively engaged with the campers
Question 2
Strongly agree/agree/disagree/strongly disagree:
A: My child is in a safe and supportive environment.
B: My child is provided a range of activities.
C: My child enjoys attending Sunshine Camp.
D: I am satisfied with the Sunshine Camp options (5 days or 2 days per week). E: I would recommend Sunshine Camp to other families.
SUNSHINE CAMP SURVEY RESULTS (cont.)
Question 3
What are some ways you feel the Sunshine Camp experiences have positively affected your child?
“Counselors are warm and welcoming, making the transition to camp super smooth.”
“Socializing with other kids, getting comfortable in the other classrooms of the preschool, getting to play outside in a safe environment.”
Message from Facebook Messenger
Camp ECHO & ECHO Extreme
LOCATION
Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area
AGES
K - 8 th Grade
DURATION
Ten Weeks, June 3 - August 9
DAYS & TIMES
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 3:30pm
This was the fourteenth year the Cary Park District hosted the Camp ECHO Day Camp Program at Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area. Below are the amenities Fel-Pro RRR has to offer our summer camp program.
FEL-PRO RRR CONSERVATION AREA AMENITIES
• HARD SURFACE TRAIL: 1 MILE THAT LEADS DOWN TO THE MAIN PAVILION, LAKE PAVILION, AND PICNIC AREAS.
• POND TRAIL: 0.5 MILES AROUND 1 ACRE POND AND SMALL PAVILION
• PICNIC AREAS: 5 DIFFERENT AREAS ALONG THE HARD SURFACE TRAIL.
• DISC GOLF COURSE
• SAND VOLLEYBALL COURT
• ARCHERY RANGE
• BASKETBALL COURT
• LARGE STORAGE AREA IN THE BASEMENT OF THE LAKE PAVILION AND SMALL STORAGE AREA IN THE MAIN PAVILION.
• NATURE TRAIL: 0.25 MILES AROUND A 4 ACRE POND
• RUSTIC TRAILS THROUGH THE WOODS
• BASEBALL BACKSTOP AREA
• HORSESHOE PITS
• RESTROOMS
• DRINKING FOUNTAINS
MCCD RENTAL AGREEMENT
In the license agreement, the licensee (CPD) is to pay a license fee to MCCD for use of the site. The license fee agreed upon is 7% of the total revenue (registration fees minus refunds) and is due to MCCD by September 30. The table below outlines the license fee paid to MCCD during the past two years of operations.
ONLINE SURVEYS
Electronic surveys were utilized again this summer for Camp ECHO to receive feedback from parents of youth who attended at least one week of camp. Surveys were distributed bi-weekly (2 sessions at a time) throughout the summer. A total of 116 surveys were completed during the 10 weeks of camp. Nearly all the results were positive but as always with a program of this magnitude, there were some suggestions for improvement. Manager Barge will take the constructive criticism and use it to improve camp next year. Below are the most common responses received throughout the summer.
CAMP ECHO SURVEY RESULTS
Question 1
What was your child’s favorite camp activity?
Field Trips
Swimming
Water Days at Fel Pro
S’Mores
Sand Pit
Building Forts
Camp Olympics
Halloween in July
CAMP ECHO SURVEY RESULTS (CONT.)
Question 2
What about camp would you like to see improved?
Going to the pool twice per week
Better weather plan
Registration Process
More details on newsletter
Activities at the park before pool days
Question 3
Additional comments about camp?
The counselors this year have been great! We LOVE it!
Communication is excellent
Adding an 11th week of camp
Enjoyed additional trips for Extreme campers
New ePACT forms were great!
Question 4
Was the registration process easy to understand and follow?
YES
Question 5
Did you receive enough information about camp policies and procedures?
YES NO NO
CAMP ECHO SURVEY RESULTS (CONT.)
Question 6
Did you find the weekly newsletter helpful?
YES NO
Question 7
Was the camp staff helpful and able to answer your questions?
YES
Question 8
Was the day-to-day activities appropriate for your child?
Question 9
Would you recommend Camp ECHO to others?
YES NO NO YES NO
ADDITIONS, CHANGES, AND MODIFICATIONS MADE TO THE CAMP ECHO PROGRAM IN 2025
Field Trip Days
Field Trips were once again the highlight of the summer amongst the campers, staff and parents. Manager Barge takes pride in finding new and exciting trips that are unique to those in attendance. As with anything of this nature, there will always be pros and cons to each trip. Manager Barge took the feedback from the summer of 2024 surveys and incorporated popular trips once again and removed the trips that were not as successful. Below is a list of this summer’s trips. Manager Barge will once again take the feedback from everyone involved and adjust accordingly next summer.
Session 1: Brookfield Zoo
• Session 2: Santa’s Village
• Session 3: Lego Land (K-5) / Dave & Busters (Extreme)
• Session 4: Action Territory
• Session 5: Peck Farm (K-5) / Six Flags (Extreme)
• Session 6: Main Event
• Session 7: Sky Zone Trampoline Park
• Session 8: Medieval Times
• Session 9: Xtreme Wheels
Session 10: Slick City Slide Park
Swim Days
Swimming looked a little different this year than in the past. Manager Barge took feedback from the 2024 surveys that stated sometimes swimming two times per week was too much for campers. Because of this, Camp ECHO swam twice per week 6 of the 10 weeks and only once the other 4. Camp staff and SBAC staff worked well together to create a fun but safe atmosphere for the campers once again. They collaborated on swim tests, announcements, supervision and more. It was a very successful summer at the pool for everyone involved.
Camp Capacity
Manager Barge was able to increase the overall capacity of Camp ECHO by adjusting staffing levels, bus plan, and field trip locations. After careful review, Manager Barge feels that he can continue to increase the capacity for the summer of 2026 giving more families the opportunity to be a part of this great program.
NEW ADDITIONS TO CAMPS
Below are a few new things that took place at camp behind the scenes and on a daily basis.
ePACT Forms for ECHO and Sunshine
Manager Barge and Manager Fejedelem worked together to implement a new way to handle all paperwork for camps this summer. A new online, digital program was introduced where parents would complete necessary camp information through a website or app eliminating all hard copy paperwork. This included emergency cards, medical information, etc. This was a learning curve but proved to be a great addition to the programs.
Swim Days/Special Events - ECHO
Manager Barge took feedback from the 2024 surveys where parents mentioned swimming twice per week was sometimes too much. This summer, Manager Barge scheduled two pool days 6 of the 10 weeks and one pool day the other 4 in the hopes this would satisfy the customers. During the weeks when swimming only took place once, Manager Barge incorporated a special event to the weekly schedule. These events included Camp Olympics, Halloween in July, A Foam Party, and an end of the year carnival with bounce houses and games. Manager Barge received mixed reviews regarding the swim schedule and will re-evaluate next summer.
Refund/Withdrawal Date - ECHO and Sunshine
Manager Barge and Manager Fejedelem worked together to develop a new refund and withdrawal policy for both camps. The new policy turned out to be a great addition and really exceeded expectations. The requirement to notify staff two weeks in advance if a camper needed to be removed was a huge help to both managers when dealing with waitlists. Both managers feel that there is a need to extend that date further to try and eliminate withdraws and having gaps in the program.
Staff Swim Shirts - ECHO
To increase visibility and safety for both staff and campers, Manager Barge implemented a staff swim shirt this summer. While at the pool, staff were required to wear a blue swim shirt that would help the campers, SBAC staff, and management identify staff in case of an emergency. Overall, the addition was a success and will be continued next summer.
Camp Director and Returning Counselors - Sunshine
There were four new counselors hired for Sunshine Camp this summer. The Camp Director worked in a dual role and was able to sub on non-Flex Camp days. The Camp Director was also able to assist with behavior challenges, keep the supply area organized and restocked, distribute weekly newsletters and attendance, and manage camper forms. The counselors planned one large group game per day during outdoor play time. The campers had fun playing tag games, obstacle courses, parachute games, and more during this structured play time.
SUMMER 2026 CHANGES TO THE CAMP PROGRAM
Below are some changes that Manager Barge and Manager Fejedelem will be looking at to improve both camps for the summer 2026.
1. Utilize Flex Reg to make the registration process easier for families (ECHO)
2. Adjust withdraw/refund date (ECHO)
3. Increase maximum numbers each week to ensure full weeks of camp (ECHO)
4. Evaluate camp fees to account for increasing field trip costs (ECHO)
5. Expand Camp Extreme(ECHO)
6. Evaluate staffing structure to incorporate age group leads (ECHO)
7. Increase marketing to participants through Early Childhood and Preschool programs (Sunshine)
8. Revaluate ages for the five-day camps to help even enrollment between the two groups (Sunshine)
9. Investigate making Flex Camp three days/week (Sunshine)