Summer Camp Report 2025

SU M M ER DAY CAM P R E P O RT

CARY PARK DISTRICT 2025 SEASONAL SUMMARY

SU M ME R DAY CAMP R E P O RT 202 5

INTRODUCTION This summer, the Park District was in

Camp ECHO was offered for ten weeks

the second year of a renewed 3-year

from June 2nd - August 8th. Sunshine

License

McHenry

Camp was offered for eight weeks from

County Conservation District to utilize

June 9th - August 1st. Camps offered this

Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area as

summer included week long sessions

the location for the Camp ECHO Day

and flex camp (Mon/Wed) options for

Camp Program. This is the fourteenth

children 3 - 14 years of age. Registration

year that Camp ECHO has been held at

for both camps were accepted on a

this location. The Preschool was utilized

weekly basis.

Agreement

for Sunshine Camp.

2

with

S U MME R DAY CA M P REPO RT 2025

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.

PROGRAM CHANGE FROM 2025 CA M P ECHO ECHO FL EX ECHO EXTR EM E B EFOR E/A F TER CA M P SUNSHINE CA M P SUNSHINE FL EX

5.5% ↑ 6% ↓

2 5% ↑ 5% ↓

6% ↑

20% ↑

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..

3

S U MME R DAY CA M P REPO RT 2025

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

Summer 2025 Program Guide

CaryPark District Summer 2025 Program Guide

media posts, the Park District website, and the electronic sign at Jaycee Park. Based on the

• Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center • Sunburst Swim School • Stars N’ Stripes Fest • Summer Day Camps

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.

Registration Opens: Resident April 7 Non-Resident April 14

CARYPARK.COM • (847)639-6100 Social Media Posts and Mentions March 12

Dedicated Camp Flipbook

March 25

CaryPark District

March 31 April 24

Summer Camp

July 11 July 14

2025

July 22 Aug 1 Eblasts Promoting Camp Info March 19 March 28 April 1 April 8 April 10 April 17

4

April 21 May 15 June 3 June 10 June 24 July 8 July 16

• Camp ECHO • Sunshine Camp • Camp ECHO Flex • Before & After Camp Registration Opens: Resident: April 7 Non-Resident: April 14

CARYPARK.COM • (847)639-6100

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

DAY CAMP REVENUE COMPARISON Includes Camp ECHO & Sunshine Camp T O TA L D AY CA M P A N N UA L G R O S S R E VE N U E CO M PA R I S O N

T O TA L D AY CA M P A N N UA L N E T R E VE N U E CO M PA R I S O N

YEAR

TOTA L R EVE N U E

YEAR

TOTA L R EVE N U E

2010

$88,537

2010

$15,390

2011

$98,830

2011

$18,092

2012

$126,577

2012

$40,568

2013

$ 1 2 3 , 74 3

2013

$32,679

2014

$161,600

2014

$ 5 7, 3 7 1

2015

$170,410

2015

$64,715

2016

$182,300

2016

$72,798

2017

$199,835

2017

$72,820

2018

$222,823

2018

$106,273

2019

$226,010

2019

$93,505

2020

$61,291

2020

-$2,675

2021

$158,138

2021

$55,769

2022

$ 2 47, 6 6 9

2022

$56,645

2023

$369,997

2023

$99,442

2024

$ 3 9 7, 2 8 3

2024

$105,846

2025

$ 4 47, 1 9 9

2025

$114,492 Contributions to Operations

5

S U MME R DAY CA M P REPO RT 2025

2025 DAY CAMP REGISTRATIONS

By Camp and Session CAMP

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TOTA L

SUNSHINE CAMP

19

22

23

16

23

21

21

23

-

-

168

13

15

16

13

11

11

13

6

-

-

98

CAMP ECHO

151

158

163

156

133

157

158

164

143

153

1,536

ECHO EXTREME

23

23

26

25

19

25

20

21

22

26

230

ECHO FLEX

31

48

49

47

45

38

45

44

45

42

434

60

53

54

53

45

44

48

49

53

52

511

14

18

17

19

11

16

11

12

13

16

1 47

311

337

348

329

287

312

316

319

276

289

3,124

SUNSHINE FLEX CAMP

BEFORE & AFTER CAMP BEFORE & AFTER CAMP FLEX TOTA L

DAY CAMP ANNUAL COMPARISON OF TOTAL REGISTRATIONS Length of Camp D AY CA M P PROGRAMS SUNSHINE CAMP SUNSHINE FLEX CAMP CAMP ECHO ECHO EXTREME ECHO FLEX BEFORE & AFTER CAMP TOTA LS

6

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

168

179

142

180

187

32

133

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

98

80

112

215

172

65

146

(8 WEEKS)

(7 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

(8 WEEKS)

1,536

1,456

1,372

1,052

565

222

956

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

230

184

146

112

84

32

256

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

434

461

469

381

339

124

422

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

658

693

785

496

319

148

692

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

(10 WEEKS)

3,124

3,053

3,026

2,436

1,666

623

2,605

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

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.

YEAR

WEEKS OF CAMP

TOTA L STA F F WAG E S

AVG .

WAG E S / WEEK

MIN WAG E 18 YRS +

M I N WAG E UNDER 18 YRS

2025

10

$219,861

$21,986

$15.00

$15.00 effective 1/ 1/25

2024

10

$ 1 9 1 , 74 8

$ 1 9 , 1 74

$14.00

$1 4 .0 0 effective 1/ 1/24

2023

10

$180,584

$18,058

$13.00

$13.00 effective 1/ 1/23

2022

10

$ 1 2 7, 6 1 8

$12,761

$12.00

$12 .00 effective 1/ 1/22

2021

10

$86,618

$8,661

$11.00

$11.00 effective 1/ 1/21

2020

8

$54,323

$6,790

$10.00

$ 1 0 . 0 0 e f f e c t i ve 7/ 1 / 2 0

2019

10

$ 8 7, 3 1 7

$8,731

$8.25

$ 8 . 0 0 e f f e c t i ve 7/ 1 / 1 0

2018

10

$ 8 7, 5 7 1

$8,757

$8.25

$ 8 . 0 0 e f f e c t i ve 7/ 1 / 1 0

2017

12

$88,385

$ 7, 3 6 5

$8.25

$ 8 . 0 0 e f f e c t i ve 7/ 1 / 1 0

2016

12

$75,650

$6,304

$8.25

$ 8 . 0 0 e f f e c t i ve 7/ 1 / 1 0

2015

12

$72,657

$6,055

$8.25

$ 8 . 0 0 e f f e c t i ve 7/ 1 / 1 0

7

S U MME R DAY CA M P REPO RT 2025

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.

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

10 SESSIONS

35

43

44

27

12

-

6

9 SESSIONS

53

40

41

35

28

-

41

8 SESSIONS

48

56

51

45

31

18

45

7 SESSIONS

42

38

35

22

19

17

30

6 SESSIONS

39

39

31

33

13

19

28

5 SESSIONS

34

29

32

38

25

5

46

4 SESSIONS

53

46

38

28

32

9

35

3 SESSIONS

44

42

41

48

29

6

56

2 SESSIONS

72

49

46

60

39

5

45

1 SESSION

73

80

78

80

64

6

72

493

TOTA L

CHILDREN

366

FAMILIES

8

462

CHILDREN

355

FAMILIES

437

CHILDREN

373

FAMILIES

416

CHILDREN

283

FAMILIES

292

CHILDREN

146

FAMILIES

85

CHILDREN

73

FAMILIES

404

CHILDREN

330

FAMILIES

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

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 2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

PRESCHOOL 3’S

12

26

27

41

26

6

10

PRESCHOOL 4’S

45

32

39

40

48

10

40

KINDERGARTEN

39

44

33

45

40

14

56

GRADE 1

58

55

54

50

26

12

53

GRADE 2

61

76

65

68

29

13

58

GRADE 3

71

64

73

51

33

9

58

GRADE 4

74

62

60

46

27

7

37

GRADE 5

62

45

46

33

27

8

31

GRADE 6

40

37

28

20

16

4

33

GRADE 7

19

15

9

8

13

1

14

GRADE 8

12

6

3

14

7

1

14

TOTA L E N R O L L M E N T

493

462

437

416

292

85

404

9

S U MME R DAY CA M P REPO RT 2025

CARY COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 26 TOTAL ENROLLMENT BY GRADE Figures from SD 26 Enrollment Reports SY

SY

SY

SY

SY

SY

SY

2025-26

2024-25

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

2020-21

2019-20

ECE/PRE K

96

122

120

128

100

145

141

KINDERGARTEN

212

199

242

239

217

264

241

GRADE 1

250

241

238

238

245

238

235

GRADE 2

215

246

246

266

227

240

2 74

GRADE 3

249

263

266

222

227

2 74

221

GRADE 4

262

276

229

230

260

218

251

GRADE 5

258

241

234

263

216

254

282

GRADE 6

288

243

262

213

249

288

249

GRADE 7

250

275

216

250

288

251

294

GRADE 8

240

224

253

300

251

288

305

2,320

2,230

2,306

2,349

2,280

2,460

2,493

TOTA L ENROLLMENT

10

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF EACH CAMP SUNSHINE CAMP LOCAT I O N

Ca r y Pa rk Dis tric t Pre s ch o ol

AG ES

3 - 5 yea r old s

DUR AT I O N

Eig ht we e ks , J u n e 9 - Au gu st 1

DAYS & TIM E S

M o n - Fri 9:0 0 am - 1 :0 0 p m

FLEX

M o n & Wed 9 :1 5 am - 1 :1 5 p m

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 5 – Dino Week

Session 2 – Ocean Week

Session 6 – Rainbow Week

Session 3 – On the Farm Week

Session 7 – Sports Week

Session 4 – 4 of July Week

Session 8 – Space Week

th

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.

11

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

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 Q ues t io n 1 D o you f i n d th e Sun shin e Camp co u ns el o rs to be (s t ro n gl y a gree/a gree/di sa g re e / s t ro n g l y d i s a g ree): S t ron g l y Ag ree

A : Cour teous

Agree

D i s a gree

B: Able to effec tively communicate an d answer your questions.

St ro n gl y Di s a gree

C: Sensitive an d carin g wh en intera c tin g with your child

D: Ac tively en ga ged with th e campers

Q ues t io n 2 S t ro n g l y a g re e /a gree/disa gree/stro n gl y di s a gree: S t ron g l y Ag ree

A : My child is in a safe an d suppor tive e nvironm ent .

12

Agree

B: My child is provided a ran ge of a c tivities.

D i s a gree

St ro n gl y Di s a gree

C: My child enjoys atten din g Sunshin e Camp.

D: I am satisf ied with th e Sunshin e Camp options (5 days or 2 days per week).

E: I would recomm en d Sunshin e Camp to oth er families.

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

SUNSHINE CAMP SURVEY RESULTS (cont.)

Q ues t io n 3 W h a t a re s om e ways you feel th e Su ns hi n e Camp ex peri en ces have posi ti ve l y a f fe c ted yo u r 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

13

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

Camp ECHO & ECHO Extreme LOCAT I O N

Fe l- Pro RR R Co n s e r vatio n A rea

AG ES

K - 8 t h G ra d e

DUR AT I O N

Te n We e ks , J u n e 3 - Au gu s t 9

DAYS & TIM E S

M o n - Fri 8 :3 0 am - 3 :30 p m

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.

F E L- PR O R R R CO N S E R VAT I O N A R E A A M E N I T I E S

• HT HAARTD LSEUARDFSA DC EO WT RNA TI LO: 1T HMEI LME A I N

• LBAARS GE ME ESNT OT ROAFGTEHAERLEAAKIEN PTAHVEI L I O N

PAVI L I O N , L A K E PAVI L I O N , A N D

AND SMALL STORAGE AREA IN THE

PICNIC AREAS.

M A I N PAVI L I O N .

• PA CORNED PTORNA DI L :A0N. 5D MS MI LAE LSLAPRAOVUI LNIDO N1

• NA A4T AUCRRE ET RP AOINL D: 0 . 2 5 M I L E S A R O U N D

• PA ILCONNI GC AT HR EE AHSA: R5DDSIUF FREF RA EC NE TT RA AR IELA. S • RWUOSOT DI CS T R A I L S T H R O U G H T H E • DISC GOLF COURSE • SAND VOLLEYBALL COURT • ARCHERY RANGE • BASKETBALL COURT

14

• BASEBALL BACKSTOP AREA • HORSESHOE PITS • RESTROOMS • D R I N K I N G FO U N TA I N S

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

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.

B U I L D I N G R E N TA L CO M PA R I S O N

MCCD 2025

MCCD 2024

Difference

$ 2 9 , 1 8 8 . 74

$25,872.88

$3,315.86

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 Q ues t io n 1 W h a t wa s yo u r ch ild’s favorite c amp a c t i v i ty ?

Field Trips Swimming Water Days at Fel Pro S’Mores Sand Pit Building Forts Camp Olympics Halloween in July

15

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

CAMP ECHO SURVEY RESULTS (CONT.) Q ues t io n 2 W h a t a b o u t ca mp would you like to s ee i m proved?

Going to the pool twice per week Better weather plan Registration Process More details on newsletter Activities at the park before pool days Q u es t io n 3 Add iti ona l co mm en t s about c amp?

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!

Q ues t io n 4 Wa s th e reg i s tration process easy to u n ders t an d an d fo l l ow ?

YE S

NO

Q ues t io n 5 D id yo u rece i ve en ough in formation abo u t camp po l i ci es an d pro cedu res?

YE S

16

NO

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

CAMP ECHO SURVEY RESULTS (CONT.) Q ues t io n 6 D id yo u f i n d th e week ly n ewsletter h el pf u l ?

YES

NO

1% Q ues t io n 7 Wa s th e ca mp staff h elpful an d able to answer yo u r qu es t i o ns?

YE S

NO

Q ues t io n 8 Wa s th e d ay- to - day a c t ivities appropri ate fo r yo u r chi l d?

YES

NO

Q ues t io n 9 Wo u l d yo u recomm en d Camp ECHO to o t h ers?

YE S

NO

17

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

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.

18

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

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.

19

S U MME R DAY CAM P REPO RT 2025

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)

20