LEICESTER — Eleanor Holsman and Nancy Call McGill are saying goodbye after 25 years as co-directors of Summer Alive! in Leicester, a 5-week summer camp serving elementary children and their families that live in Leicester, Whiting and Sudbury.
This past Friday was their last day, and the duo left with a kaleidoscope of memories with children and families including field trips, swimming, exposure to various sports, gardening, theatrical productions, artist-in-residencies, family activities, overnights at school and student-engaged themes.
Summer Alive! originally served mainly Leicester students. Due to the changing demographics in the Otter Valley Unified Union School District, the summer camp now also includes the children in grades K-6 from Sudbury and Whiting. As always, it offers a safe, creative and nurturing environment. This amazing summer camp has flourished for 25 years with funding sources coming from generous community donations, grants, child care financial assistance, and Otter Valley afterschool funds. Parents are asked to pay what they can afford but no child is ever denied access due to family financial situations.
Summer Alive! has been very fortunate to have a generous community, visionary principals, supportive school boards and administration, and an incredible staff. As Holsman and McGill pass the torch to new leadership they plan to be involved as mentors to help sustain the established values of quality, enjoyment, participation, family engagement and community collaboration.
McGill and Holsman said they have particularly enjoyed watching children grow and develop through the years. Some of their favorite memories include fantasy themes and activities, local community celebrations, floats in the Brandon July 4th parade, cooking with children, and sharing their love of music and children’s literature. They will be missed by all.