Programs

Monroe County United Ministries provides nine weeks of summer care for children ages 6-12 during the summer. This program is part of our licensed childcare center.

In be eligible, parents must be Monroe County residents and be working full-time or working part-time while attending school. We do allow a small percentage of our enrollment to be children of full-time students. Although the program is open to households of all income levels, low-income families and siblings of children in the Childcare Program receive first priority for enrollment. Fees are determined on a sliding scale based on family size and income and a discount is available to families with more than one child enrolled.. Eligible families are asked to apply for support through the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), administered by the Community Alliance and Services for Young Children (CASY).

MCUM's Summer Camp places an emphasis on recreational activities. Children visit the City of Bloomington's Mills Pool every day, weather permitting. They also spend time on the playground daily and learn new skills that have included yoga, dance, and martial arts in recent years. Summer Campers take a variety of field trips around and out of town each year, with destinations including city parks, the Indianapolis Zoo, Hunter's Honey Farm, the Monroe County Public Library, Assembly Hall and others. In recent years, they have also enjoyed presentations by local organization such as WonderLab, the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District, and WildCare.

There are spots for 40 children in this program and those spots fill up quickly each year. Enrollment for the 2011 Summer Camp is not yet open. For enrollment information, contact Traci Mehay, Childcare Director, at (812) 339-3429.

Why Quality, Affordable Summer Care?

Each summer we hear from parents that there are not enough affordable summer programs for school-age children in our community. Without sufficient affordable care, parents often have to choose between leaving their young child at home alone for the summer or leaving a job with the hopes of finding new employment when school starts in the fall.

In addition to supporting parents in their efforts to stay employed and providing quality care at an affordable price, MCUM's Summer Camp keeps children active during their break from school. They participate in a variety of daily physical activities, learn new things about their community, learn how to socialize in a new setting, participate in enrichment opportunities, and are exposed to new concepts and perspectives. They also form bonds with other children and their adult supervisors.