Macon Magazine

94 maconmagazine.com | August/September 2025 R A I S E D B Y R E C R E AT I O N G o i n s i d e t h e w o r k i n g s o f M a c o n- B i b b C o u n t y R e c r e a t i o n s u m m e r c a m p s t o l e a r n h o w y o u r l o c a l r e c c e n t e r s a r e k e e p i n g k i d s s a fe , l e a r n i n g , a n d l o v e d y e a r-r o u n d . STORY BY JULIA MORRISON | PHOTOS BY DSTO MOORE H O W S T U F F W O R K S E very summer in Macon-Bibb County, as school doors close, recreation centers across the community swing open to welcome more than 900 children into a world of fun, safety, and meaningful connection. While summer often conjures images of carefree days, the reality for many working families is a bit more complicated. School may pause for the season, but jobs do not. For families juggling work and childcare, the summer camps run by the county recreation department aren't just a convenience. They're a lifeline. For six packed weeks, kids from across the county enjoy full days of play, reading, field trips, and friendship for just $30 a week, the lowest price around for a day camp. "You're not going to find another camp that offers what we offer for $30 a week," says Robert Walker, director of recreation. Affordable summer childcare is a mounting challenge nationwide. More than half of U.S. parents participate in some form of a summer program, but the gap in participation rates between upper- and lower-income families is nearly 30 percentage points, 67% versus 38%, according to a 2024 Gallup poll. Over six in 10 lower-income parents wanted their children to participate in more summer camp activities – and they cite cost as the number one barrier to attendance. Macon-Bibb camps fill that gap locally. Parents secure full-day care, with drop-off as early as 7:30 a.m. and pick-up as late as 6 p.m. for six straight weeks, and meals are included. This is functional for working families. "It's cost effective," Walker notes. This year, camps operate at eight neighborhood centers: Bloomfield–Gilead, East Macon Park, Frank Johnson, L.H. Williams, Memorial Park and

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