COMMUNITY SCHOOLS CAMPERS, from left, Evyenia Fanikos, Bailey Gillis, Emily Carty, Siena Keegan and Sienna Elworthy got into the Halloween by terrifying attendees during the Haunted Happenings camp earlier this summer. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The fun never stopped at Lynnfield Community Schools’ summer camps once again in 2022.

Director Sarah Perkins said between 300 and 350 children in preschool through eighth grade attended LCS’ Summer of Fun Activities (SOFA) camps held at Lynnfield High School each week from June 27 through Aug. 12.

“We had a fantastic summer,” said Perkins. “It was our first summer since the pandemic that we have been able to fully experience what so many families have already known and love about being at the SOFA program. We had incredible enrollment. It was a great opportunity for families, especially those with younger children, to create new friends and memories.”

LCS Instructor Lisa Pasciuto agreed.

“The SOFA camps were similar to what they were before COVID, which was nice to see,” said Pasciuto. “Our enrollment increased this year, which is great for the program. We had some new incoming students who never participated in the program before, and I am thrilled that they did.”

Similar to previous summers, the SOFA program offered a variety of different themed camps each week such as cooking, dancing/theater, sports and the incredibly popular Halloween-inspired “Haunted Happenings” camp run by Instructors Morgan Festa and Joey Puleo.

“We had many popular programs this year,” said Perkins. “The ‘Calling All Young Jedis in Training’ program and other preschool-age programs were a big hit. The programs that filled up fast included acrylic painting, drone programming, filmmaking and science concoctions.”

Perkins said her goal for the SOFA program was making sure children “had fun, gained some new experiences and built lasting relationships with other children and the staff.”

Pasciuto said it was important to make sure children had fun while participating in the camps every day.

“It’s all about the kids,” said Pasciuto. “It’s important to make sure their summer is special and fun. I want the kids to create awesome memories with their friends.”

Perkins said creating children’s programming for Lynnfield Community Schools is incredibly enjoyable and rewarding.

“It’s why I love my job,” said Perkins. “I find it so fun to brainstorm and plan with the program leaders and vendors throughout the year for the different programs we run, whether they are after-school, during vacation weeks, evening family or adult programs and the summer program. Since we plan for the user experience, it’s wonderful to work as a team to create programs we hope the families will be drawn to and, ultimately, benefit from in many ways. Seeing the joy on the children’s faces during the programs is the greatest reward!”

Perkins thanked Lynnfield Community Schools’ staff for working incredibly hard to make sure the children attending the SOFA camps had a fun summer. She noted that many staff members work for Lynnfield Public Schools or nearby schools such as Our Lady of the Assumption School.

“I continue to be impressed by the various abilities of the SOFA staff, including their creativity and energy to excite and engage children of all ages who attend our programs,” said Perkins. “From dance parties in the morning childcare program to woodworking to homemade glow stick lightsaber battles in the dark to several groups performing digital and on-stage productions, it would not have been possible without our incredible staff. Individually, the staff also cares for the children’s various needs in a manner that mirrors how the district’s teachers and staff work with students throughout the school year. It is something I know the families appreciate about the behind the scenes operations of SOFA. I am so grateful for each of our staff members, including our high school and college-aged staff.”

Perkins is incredibly appreciative of the support Community Schools has received from the community.

“I am so thankful for this community, our partnerships and the Lynnfield School District that allows us to run programs to meet the needs of the children who live in either Lynnfield or one of our neighboring towns,” said Perkins.

With the summer of 2022 now in the rearview mirror, Perkins said Community Schools will be offering a variety of programs his fall.

“We have great fall enrichment program offerings for children,” said Perkins. “In addition to increasing our after-school STEM programming, I know many families are eagerly anticipating the return of the LCS musical with our new director, Stacey D’Onofrio. Thanks to our partnership with A Healthy Lynnfield, we are able to continue offering social-emotional learning programming with Kristen Perrotti of Be Well with SEL. We will also be collaborating with the Lynnfield High School Class of 2025 on the ‘Haunted High School’ fundraiser this October. Registration for the

‘Fall 1’ Artworks programs began on Monday, Aug. 29, with programs beginning the week of Sept. 12. ‘Fall 2’ program details will be released in a few weeks.”

Perkins said townspeople can reach out to her if they have any programming suggestions.

“I am always open to suggestions and hope that community members feel comfortable reaching out with an idea for programming for either children or adults,” said Perkins.

Residents can visit https://sites.google.com/lynnfield.k12.ma.us/community-schools to sign up for LCS’ fall programs.