City’s summer rec draws in 396 kids

By: 
Staff report

Brandon’s summer rec program is certainly filling a need when it comes to childcare, and the proof is in the numbers that summer rec director Barb Sperlich presented to the Brandon City Council earlier this month.

In the summer-end report, Sperlich noted that 396 students registered online for the summer rec program. Those 396 students involved 229 families.

Sperlich and her staff of seven – four of which were considered full-time employees (5.5 hours per day) and three part-time (3 to 5.5 hours per day) oversaw 1,593 students during the 36.5 days summer rec was offered. That’s an average of 51 students per day.

Summer rec kids ventured on nine field trips this year: Thunder Road, Skate City, Great Plains Zoo, Climberz, Empire Bowl and three movies at the Dell Rapids Theatre. Of the near 400 students enrolled, 276 took part in the field trips, for an average of 31 students per trip.

“Again, this summer, as in the summers before, we have made possible a safe and fun environment for children in Brandon,” Sperlich said.

Brandon has fielded a summer rec program since 1975, with the exception of 2020, which was a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alderwoman Barb Fish, who serves as the council liaison to the city park and rec board, said they were happy to carry out the summer rec program this year after missing it in 2020.

“Barb Sperlich and her staff do a terrific job providing activities for our children for two months in the summer. We appreciate being able to partner with the school, and feel this is a good program to be sponsored through the City Parks Department,” Fish said.

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