Summer is a special season at the three HCYR campuses. With school out, the HCYR family can be together more. The staff puts great effort into planning summers full of opportunities, including work, gift-building, play and travel. Every child participates in some way to enhance individual talents, accomplish projects, learn new skills and have fun as well.
The summer is divided into two parts. During the first half, residents take part in a schedule of structured electives, including vocational, educational, and recreational activities. Most of the children spend mornings on work crews to garden, landscape, or trim trees. By mid-July, they have established personal savings accounts and learned about teamwork and accomplishment.
Afternoons are full of electives like music, dance, art, photography, sports training, outdoor adventure, cooking, fishing, and more. Instructors encourage participants to plan and executive projects, such as a synchronized swimming show, a new mural, or a play for the community to see.
During the five weeks from late July to the end of August, houseparents and children make plans of their own. Cabins raise money through extra work like car washes so they can travel to a theme park or other recreational destination, sightseeing along the way.
