Michigan State University staff, faculty and student families have an estimated 11,000 children under age 12. This large number of families seeking child care on or near campus has created great demand. The 1993 Child Care Planning Project survey recommended the need for an MSU sponsored summer program for school-aged children. When the Spartan Village Elementary School was in operation, the City of East Lansing Child Care program operated a Summer Camp out of the school building in Spartan Village Apartments. Since the Elementary School closed in 2004, there has been only one summer enrichment program on campus.
Residents of University Apartments, many of whom are International student families, tend to have a high need for quality summer programs. The student parents may have a need to attend summer classes, and a desire to further their child's learning throughout the summer. Families want to help their children build friendships and relationships with their peers. However, because they are often low income students who lack transportation, they are unable to send their children to summer camps in the Lansing area. Residents have a need for camp care in Spartan Village, near their homes in Cherry Lane and Spartan Village Apartments.
Shortage of Camps Near Campus
Beyond the current summer camps programs offered by the City of East Lansing and the YMCA there are very few opportunities for MSU families. Programs at various locations throughout Lansing such as Impression Five Science Center, Potter Park, and Woldumar Nature Center offer short term camps based on the theme of their program. Sadly, there remains a shortage of comprehensive, consistent, long term camp programs that are needed by full time working families and MSU students.
Importance of Quality Summer Enrichment Programs
Summer program opportunities serve multiple purposes. For the parents who are working or going to school it gives them peace of mind to know that their children are well cared for and not left home alone all summer long. Children benefit from quality, developmentally appropriate child care and socially engaging group activities. They need opportunities to be physically active and experience the outdoors. They excel when supervised by trained staff that have planned age appropriate curriculums that are diverse, recreational and fun for the children. The University benefits by offering quality child care opportunities for the children of MSU employees and students. Parents can concentrate on their work and studies and not worry about their children's well being during the day.
As a collaborative, the MSU Family Resource Center, the City of East Lansing Child Care Programs, MSU Department of Residence Life and the Spartan Child Development Center organize MSU's Summer Enrichment Camp for Kids in the newly renovated Spartan Village Community Center. The ten week long summer camp serves 30-40 children daily between the ages of 5-12 years, and at least 50% of them come from MSU apartment resident families. MSU affiliates, students, staff or faculty also have priority over community members with no MSU affiliation.
Annually operated by the City of East Lansing Child Care program, the program is open for a regular camp day from 9:00AM-4:00PM, Monday through Friday. Extended before and after care hours are also offered from 7:30-9:00AM and 4:00-5:30PM to accommodate working parents with schedules from 8:00AM-5:00PM.
Michigan State University's Family Resource Center subsidizes the cost of the camp by offering 50% off tuition for apartment residents. Since they tend to be low income, they will not be able to afford traditional charges for summer enrichment programs ($33 per day). Tuition includes snacks and field trips and the structure is as follows:
Apartment Residents (Subsidized by MSU):
Camp day- $13.50 (9:00AM-4:00PM)
Full day-$16.50 (includes both Before and After Care)
Before Care- 7:30-9:00AM & After Care- 4:00-5:30PM - $3.00 for both or $1.50 each B&A session.
Non Residents:
Camp day-$27.00 (9:00AM-4:00PM)
Full day-$33.00 (includes both Before and After Care)
Before Care- 7:30-9:00AM & After Care- 4:00-5:30PM- $6.00 for both or $3.00 each B&A session.
Gifts to the MSU Summer Enrichment Camp for Kids will support MSU affiliated families who wish to send their children to summer camp. The scholarship would be awarded based on need and support the children throughout the summer. The total cost to support one child for the summer is $1,065. If you are interested in making a gift to support the MSU Summer Enrichment Camp For Kids, please contact the Student Services Advancement Office at (517) 355-7535 or make your gift online today.
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