Events

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The Just Us Kids Outdoors summer camp (commonly known as “JUKO”), has been a staple in the Richmond community for 40+ years. The purpose of the JUKO summer camp is to offer local children a safe place to play, be creative, and explore our parks and local community. We offer outdoor games, nature activities, arts and crafts, field trips, pool days, and so much more! Kids love our Wellness Wednesday activities, including visits from local firefighters and police officers, exercise classes, and bike safety! To ease transportation needs, camp is offered for morning or afternoon sessions, at four different site locations (see below for details).

All campers receive FREE lunch daily, through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Did we mention this program is FREE?! We highly encourage registering your camper(s) before camp begins, but there is no cap on enrollment, and there is not a registration deadline.

Ages: Entering Grades 1-6 in the Fall of 2024

Dates: June 3- July 12 **Does not meet June 19 th or July 4 th in observance of holidays**

Time/Locations (choose one):

• Springwood Park from 9 am - 12 pm

• Vaile Elementary from 9 am - 12 pm

• Mary Scott Park from 1 - 4 pm

• Glen Miller Park from 1 - 4 pm

Cost: FREE - A donation of $10 is appreciated to help us purchase T-shirts and water bottles for our campers. Cash, check, and card donations accepted at all site locations or in the Parks Office. Please make checks payable to “City of Richmond”.

JUKO is possible with donations, sponsorships, and grants from Reid Community Benefit, the Kiwanis Club of Richmond, and the Stamm Koechlein Family Foundation.

Lunches:  Both morning and afternoon campers receive FREE lunch, provided through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Exceptions for lunches are only made for medical reasons that have supporting verification (i.e. doctor’s note). Please indicate on your registration form if your child has food intolerances or allergies under medical information. **USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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JUKO Rules We have a few rules at JUKO to keep everyone safe and camp running smoothly:

• All Richmond Parks and Recreation summer programs have one main rule: NO HURTING. If your child is fighting, using  inappropriate language, he/she will not be allowed to return to JUKO.
• If your child is not walking or riding their bike, it is your responsibility to pick them up ON TIME after JUKO. Children whose parents are consistently late picking them up will not be allowed to return to JUKO.
• One of our goals at JUKO is 100% participation in all activities. Children who continually refuse to participate in the activities will not be allowed to return to JUKO.
• Children wishing to stay at Cordell Municipal Pool AFTER JUKO must have a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian as well as money to re-enter the pool. ($3.00)
• Children must wear tennis shoes to JUKO on all non-pool days! This is important for us to reduce the risk of injury. If kids continually wear sandals/flip flops to JUKO, they will be unable to participate and  parents will be called to pick their child up from camp. On pool days, children need to wear appropriate swim attire.
• Kids MUST check out with their JUKO counselors everyday before leaving. Failure to do so will result in them not being allowed to return to JUKO.

Weather Policy

Cancellations due to weather will be made on a case-by-case basis. Parents will receive an automated phone call and/or email if camp is cancelled. Please also follow our Facebook Page for updates on weather cancellations.

If it is raining and/or thundering prior to JUKO on a pool day, please do not bring your child to JUKO. If it begins to rain or thunder while we are at the pool on Tuesdays or Thursdays, please pick your child up from the pool as soon as possible.

JUKO Staff: 

All JUKO Camp Counselors and staff members attend extensive training prior to the start of camp covering topics such as developmental stages, recognizing child abuse, and psychological aspects of children. Additionally, our staffers:

MUST pass a Police/Criminal Background check

Obtain CPR and First-Aid Certifications

Please visit our Seasonal Employment Opportunities page for more information about getting involved.

Volunteer Jr. Camp Counselor positions are also available for children 13 -15. Contact us for more details!

JUKO End of Year Carnival 

Every year we end with a Carnival, complete with prizes, inflatable obstacle course, an inflatable slide, cotton candy, and more!

Taste of JUKO Community Night

Are you new to JUKO, or have a return camper who is interested in learning about this year’s camp’s activities (including meeting some of our staff and counselors)?? Join us on Thursday, May 30th from 5-8pm at Mac’s Shack (located in Glen Miller Park) for our Taste of JUKO

Community Night! We will also be accepting camp registrations and can help you register online! More details to come!

Register Your Child for JUKO Today! Register your child/children online today! We also have paper registration forms available at the Parks Office, located at 2200 E Main Street (near the playground).

Questions? Contact Kristi Cruse at (765) 983-7420 or kcruse@richmondindiana.gov for more information.

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