Free summer day camp
The Just Us Kids Outdoors summer camp (commonly known as “JUKO”), has been a staple in the Richmond community for 40+ years. The purpose of the JUKO summer camp is to offer local children a safe place to play, be creative, and explore our parks and local community. We offer outdoor games, nature activities, arts and crafts, field trips, pool days, and so much more! Kids love our Wellness Wednesday activities, including visits from local firefighters and police officers, exercise classes, and bike safety! To ease transportation needs, camp is offered for morning or afternoon sessions, at four different site locations (see below for details).
All campers receive FREE lunch daily, through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Did we mention this program is FREE?! We highly encourage registering your camper(s) before camp begins, but there is no cap on enrollment, and there is not a registration deadline.
Ages: Entering Grades 1-6 in the Fall of 2024
Dates: June 3- July 12 **Does not meet June 19 th or July 4 th in observance of holidays**
Time/Locations (choose one):
• Springwood Park from 9 am - 12 pm
• Vaile Elementary from 9 am - 12 pm
• Mary Scott Park from 1 - 4 pm
• Glen Miller Park from 1 - 4 pm
Cost: FREE - A donation of $10 is appreciated to help us purchase T-shirts and water bottles for our campers. Cash, check, and card donations accepted at all site locations or in the Parks Office. Please make checks payable to “City of Richmond”. JUKO is possible with donations, sponsorships, and grants from Reid Community Benefit, the Kiwanis Club of Richmond, and the Stamm Koechlein Family Foundation.
Lunches: Both morning and afternoon campers receive FREE lunch, provided through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Exceptions for lunches are only made for medical reasons that have supporting verification (i.e. doctor’s note). Please indicate on your registration form if your child has food intolerances or allergies under medical information. **USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
JUKO Rules We have a few rules at JUKO to keep everyone safe and camp running smoothly:
- All Richmond Parks and Recreation summer programs have one main rule: NO HURTING. This includes (but is not limited to) verbal or physical altercations with staff or other campers, bullying, intimidation, or use of inappropriate language.
- Children who are driven to JUKO camp MUST be picked up on time by their parent or guardian. Children may also walk or ride their bicycle to JUKO with their parent’s permission.
- All children are required to participate in JUKO’s scheduled activities. Our goal is 100% participation!
- Children wishing to stay at Cordell Municipal Pool AFTER JUKO camp ends must have a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian, as well as money to re-enter the pool. ($3.00)
- Children must always wear well-fitting athletic/tennis shoes to JUKO camp, as well as appropriate swimwear on designated pool days! This is imperative to reduce the risk of injuries. Any child wearing non-compliant shoes or swimwear will be unable to participate in camp for the day. It will be the parent or guardian’s responsibility to promptly pick the child/children up from camp.
- Kids MUST check out with their JUKO counselors every day before leaving camp.
Any child or parent failing to comply with the above listed rules will not be permitted to return to JUKO for the remainder of the camp season.
Weather Policy
Cancellations due to weather will be made on a case-by-case basis. Parents will receive an automated phone call and/or email if camp is cancelled. Please also follow our Facebook Page for updates on weather cancellations.
If it is raining and/or thundering prior to JUKO on a pool day, please do not bring your child to JUKO. If it begins to rain or thunder while we are at the pool on Tuesdays or Thursdays, please pick your child up from the pool as soon as possible.
JUKO Staff:
All JUKO Camp Counselors and staff members attend extensive training prior to the start of camp covering topics such as developmental stages, recognizing child abuse, and psychological aspects of children. Additionally, our staffers:
MUST pass a Police/Criminal Background check
Obtain CPR and First-Aid Certifications
Please visit our Seasonal Employment Opportunities page for more information about getting involved.