Summer Blast Day Camp

Summer Blast is for youth entering grades K through 6. Parents must fully complete the registration form and submit it to the Parks and Rec office.  Only 125 spaces per week are available. Enroll in the weeks of needed care early, as spaces are only reserved with payment for that week.

Too old for Summer Blast? We continue to seek lifeguards.  Be notified of a future certification course here.
Anyone age 15 or older is eligible to become a certified lifeguard.

This Parent Handbook answers many questions you may have about Summer Blast.

Registration

Step 1. Download or print the Registration Form (paper copies are in our office)

Step 2. To download & add document information online: Open a downloaded document on your computer, fill out the document and SAVE the fully completed document to your computer.
Or         Print document: Handwrite all information on the printed document

Step 3. Email the fully completed registration form to jhart@marshalltown-ia.gov or return it to our office

Step 4.  You will receive email confirmation the registration for your child or children has been processed and then you may pay for all weeks to be attending.  Payment is accepted via cash, check or credit/debit card.  Payment may be completed online, in our office or over the phone. Card transactions will include 3% + $.30 fees ($3.75 on $115).

Register online

2023 Available Weeks of Summer Blast

To purchase an Aquatic Center season pass and/or receive a Summer Blast discount, please contact the office at 641-754-5715 ext. 1.

Parent Handbook

Activities

Participants will be with friends and make new friends, experience fun activities and have interesting opportunities.  Morning activities include visits to a park or library, arts, crafts, games, character education, STEM activities and free time to read. Afternoons are filled with swimming at the Marshalltown Family Aquatic Center, games and activities in the gym, and out of town Special Activity trips each Wednesday - departure and return times vary.  Participants will have a blast!  Parents give this program great reviews!

Lunches in the summer are provided by the Marshalltown Community School District.  Lunch is provided on site at 11:00 a.m. daily and packed lunches are provided for Wednesday trips. If the camper brings a lunch, please remember there is no refrigeration available for lunches, so please plan accordingly.

Field Trips

Field trips or Special Activities are planned weekly (most trips are on Wednesdays) Most of these trips/activities are out of town and extra precautions are followed to ensure the safety of all the campers.  Each camper is assigned a camp director in a smaller group and given a colored wristband that matches the assigned camp director.  Campers will stay in the smaller group during the duration of the trip from loading, riding and unloading the bus to the start and finish of the activity and back to the center.  

We will not be publishing our trips.  There will be a board at the center each week letting the parents know what the schedule and what trip the campers will be going on that week.  

Register early to ensure space for each specific week camp is needed.  When the maximum enrollment of 125 is reached for any week no additional enrollment is accepted that week. Participants may be added to a wait list for future enrollment if an opening becomes available.  When a camper is unable to participate in a week previously enrolled, a cancellation notice must be received at the Parks and Recreation office prior to the start of that week. No credit or refund will be granted once that week has begun. 

Details

• Days: Monday through Friday (no daily or partial week option)
• Dates: June 5 - August 11
• Times: 7:45 am to 5:00 pm
• Early Drop-Off: With a $5 weekly fee may be 6:45 to 7:45 am
• Location: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 20 West State Street
• Cost: $115 per week per child (includes one trip shirt to be worn on Wednesdays) 
• Late payment fee: To avoid a $10 late payment fee, weekly fees (including any prior outstanding fees) is required by Thursday of the preceding week attending.
• Discount: Purchase of an Aquatic Center season pass: provides a $10 discount each week; 
  Family discount: $5 off per week per child after the first child.
• Pick up Time: 5:00 pm (to avoid a $5 late pick-up fee)
• Late Pick-up: Late pick-up requires special advanced arrangements of staff. Any child picked up after 5:15 pm will result in a $5 charge for every 15 minutes thereafter.
• Things to bring/have at camp:
  • Proper swim attire & towel
  • Spray sunscreen clearly labeled with the child’s name
  • Water Bottle
  • Lunch (if not eating lunch provided by the school summer lunch program)
  • Tennis shoes (with socks) -- no dress shoes, flip flops or boots

Discount Options

Aquatic Center Season Pool Pass Discount - When a Marshalltown Family Aquatic Center season pass is purchased for a Summer Blast participant, receive a $10 discount per 5-day week per child from the weekly Summer Blast enrollment fee (July 4th is a 4-day week with a $8 discount). 

Family discount: $5 off per week per child after the first child, only available in the Park & Rec office (not available with online registration).

Swim Lesson Option

Optional activity (with an additional fee): Swimming Lessons (including Summer Blast transportation and a staff member present) are offered during weeks 6-7 (July 10-20)  or weeks 9-10 (July 31 - August 10) at the 9:00 a.m. lesson time. Enrollment begins April 1st. Class sizes are limited and fill quickly so enroll early to ensure available space.
-During Summer Blast a session of swim lessons fee is $58, which includes lessons 8 days with 45-minutes of lessons ($45) and Summer Blast transportation to and from these 8-days of lessons ($8), as well as a staff member onsite during lessons. See the Swim Lesson page for schedules and to determine most appropriate swim lesson level before enrolling. Class sizes are limited and fill quickly so enroll early to ensure available space. Enrollment begins April 1st.

 Email jhart@marshalltown-ia.gov or call (641) 754-5715 ext. 3 for more information.