Chesterfield parks report surge in summer camp demand; county expands scholarships and inclusion services

Marley Smith, assistant director for Parks and Recreation, told the board the department’s youth programs are seeing “exceptionally high demand,” with 960 campers registered this summer and more than 600 youth on waiting lists. She said one camp sold out in two minutes and that the department has issued 46 youth scholarships in 2026 to reduce financial barriers.

The department reported that 125 youth and 22 teen leaders attended a collaborative 4‑H camp in Jamestown and that scholarships funded full participation (fees, supplies and transportation) for 18 youth to attend a 4‑H program. “The overwhelming response to our programs underscores a clear countywide need,” Smith said.

To improve access, Parks and Recreation expanded inclusion services by 50 percent, assigning an inclusion lead and an inclusion coach at each site. Smith also said the department averages roughly $75 per week per participant at its summer camps and operates 10 different camps systemwide, supported by 12 full‑time staff and about 70 seasonal employees.

Beyond the camps, Smith listed recurring and specialty youth offerings — Chesterfield’s Got Talent, gardening and snack‑lab partnerships, Mini Movers for ages 2–5 (in partnership with libraries), and robotics/STEM programming that introduces children to engineering and competition pathways.

Board members praised the work and urged broader outreach so residents know what’s available. Mr. Engel encouraged citizens to visit the county parks website for details; Dr. Hilton noted cross‑district collaboration to provide play opportunities for English‑language learners and said the county invested about $50,000 on one new field to meet that need.

The department said it will continue to use scholarships and expanded inclusion staffing to try to reduce waiting lists and make camps affordable and accessible.