By Kelly Cannon | [email protected]

Kids in Holladay can spend their summer vacation jam packed with fun activities during the Holladay Lions Recreation Center Mayhem Mornings and Awesome Afternoons Summer Camps.

 The recreation center has been hosting these camps every summer since around 2008.

 “A lot of recreation centers around Salt Lake County run summer camps,” John Tateoka, the recreation program coordinator at the Holladay Lions Recreation Center, said. “There are parents who work and need a place to put their child. It was a need from the community.”

 The camps started in June and will run until August. Parents can choose either the Morning Mayhem camp from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. or the Awesome Afternoons camp from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. All the camps are Monday through Friday. The camps cost $65 for the week or $15 for the day.

 The camps incorporate a variety of activities including various sports such as soccer, basketball and baseball. The campers will also be playing pickleball this year since the recreation center installed courts recently. Arts and crafts will also be available for the campers.

 During every session of camp, the kids will also have a chance to go swimming.

 “That’s really the more fun part of the camps,” Tateoka said.

 The ratio of counselors to campers is at the maximum 1 to 10, though Tateoka said the average is more around 1 to 6.

 “Some specialize in certain areas. Some are studying to be in the parks and recreation department or education or child care,” Tateoka said. “Some are getting their master’s and they want more experience. Most are college kids. All of them have some experience with working with kids.”

 Tateoka explained there are several goals for the kids who attend the camps. 

“We hope they improve their communication skills and learn how to deal with their own problems. We want them to make new friends and learn how to interact with new people,” Tateoka said. “The ultimate goal is for them to have fun. We want them to have the best day every day.”

To learn more about the Holladay Lions Recreation Center Summer Camps and to register a child for the camps, visit http://slco.org/recreation/holladayLions.