Field Day brings 325 campers together for a day of fun

Posted July 30, 2013 1:29 pm

Submitted by Des Plaines Park District

Campers from Sports Xplosion (green), West Park (red) and Camp Opeka (white) take to the field in the 50-yard dash during the 2013 All Camp Field Day at Prairie Lakes July 17. Courtesy of Lisa Haring

Over 320 kids from the Des Plaines Park District summer day camps participated in the second annual All Camp Field Day Wednesday, July 17, at Prairie Lakes Community Center. Campers from Adventure Camp, Arndt Park, Camp Chickagami, Camp Opeka, Sports Xplosion, West Park, and Dance and Arts Camp were divided by age into six groups: 5- and 6-year-olds; 7-year-olds; 8-year-olds; 9-year-olds; 10- and 11-year-olds; and 12 and older, for a day of competition and fun.

“This is a wonderful way for children from all of our camps to meet and make new friends,” said Karyn Roth, recreation supervisor. “Field Day gives kids an opportunity to discover and try new activities, take part in team and individual sports, learn about good sportsmanship and meet campers and counselors from across the district.”

The groups rotated through six stations during the day. In Station 1, campers raced through an inflatable obstacle course and played sidewalk games including jump rope, hula hoops and bags in the Prairie Lakes field.

At Station 2, campers competed in track and field events including a shoe toss, the long jump, hurdles, a softball throw for distance and a 50-yard dash. Indoors, in the Prairie Lakes gym. At Station 3, campers played dodgeball, floor hockey, knock out and kickball. At Station 4, kids played with the new Park It! Patrol games including: a jumbo Jenga, an obstacle course and Frisbee golf. At Station 5, while the girls were playing a game of musical chairs, the boys played four-square and competed in wheel barrow races on the mats in the Mountain View Rooms; then, they switched. In the aerobics room, at Station 6, campers learned the Tonto, a dance made famous by Will Smith and Carlton Banks Do in an episode of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

“Our field Day gives kids a chance to step out of their comfort zone and experiment with a new activity,” said Josh Cantres, athletic supervisor. “I love to see the kids in Sports Xplosion learn to dance and the Adventure Campers play some dodgeball.”

At the end of the day, all 320 plus campers got together in the gym for a group Tonto dance. “Field Day is a great tradition we plan to continue,” said Roth.

For information about all Des Plaines Park District day camp options visit www.DPParks.org or call (847) 391-5700. To see a video of the All Camp Field Day Tonto dance visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hij5EHeINtg&feature=youtu.be.

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Camp Chickagami beats the Sports Xplosion camp in a race through the inflatable obstacle course during the 2013 All Camp Field Day at Prairie Lakes July 17. Courtesy of Lisa Haring

Dance and Arts Camp counselor, Kim Diebold, teach day campers the Tonto during the 2013 All Camp Field Day at Prairie Lakes July 17. Courtesy of Lisa Haring

It is down to the final two in a battle of Musical Chairs during the 2013 All Camp Field Day at Prairie Lakes July 17. Courtesy of Lisa Haring

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