Give summer one more fling at Camp Peniel day camp
Camp Peniel day campers Tessie Mayes Bowen (left), Rilyn Grona, Catie Giesen, Heidi Ehrig, Natalie Waltenbaugh, Nola Wingate and counselor Krystina Barron celebrate a day of fun and adventure at the Marble Falls-area camp. Though it offers overnight camps, Camp Peniel has a day-camp option. The final day camp of the summer starts Aug. 4. Go to www.camppeniel.org or call (830) 693-2182 for more information. Courtesy photo
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
SMITHWICK — Even as summer days slowly begin marching to school days, it’s not too late for kids to pack in some last-minute excitement.
And Camp Peniel, located just east of Marble Falls on RR 1431, has crafted the perfect escape thanks to its day camp program.
“(The campers) are busy all day long,” said Donna Kiley of Camp Peniel. “Most of them fall asleep on the way home.”
The day camp is open to youth who are entering the first grade this school year through those entering the fifth grade. It’s a Monday-Friday camp that runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The older kids (grades fourth and fifth), Kiley added, can spend Thursday night at the camp.
Unlike the overnight camp, the day camp gives kids a chance to experience all the adventure but head back home at the end of the day. But don’t think for a second that means the Camp Peniel day camp experience is anything less than fun and exciting.
The day starts out with the kids gathering for songs and other group activities. But Kiley said, after that, they break up into smaller groups of six kids per counselor before heading out for a list of activities. The groups are separated into boys and girls units.
The low camper-to-counselor ratio ensures each child gets plenty of attention.
During the day, the kids rotate through a variety of stations, including archery, BB gun, obstacle course and equine. Of course, they also get a chance to jump in the pool and cool off.
Camp Peniel even offers a shuttle service (for additional cost) from the Marble Falls H-E-B parking lot.
“But parents need to hurry if they’re interested in signing their kids up because the last week of camp starts Aug. 4,” Kiley said.
Go to www.camppeniel.org or call (830) 693-2182 for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com