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Club FUNset Brings Kids Out to Sunset Hill Farm County Park

January 30, 2012

During the past year, Porter County Parks and Recreation has expanded its offerings to kids in the area.

Camp FUNset welcomed hundreds of campers to Sunset Hill Farm County Park last summer and, during winter break, a two-day camp was offered for the first time.

The growth is continuing this winter and spring with a new program called Club FUNset, a monthly get-together for kids ages 6 to 12 that begins in February.

Camp FUNset Winter Campers enjoyed making their own clubhouses at Sunset Hill Farm County Park. Kids will get the chance to participate in a wide variety of park activities during Club FUNset, which begins on Saturday, February 11, at 9am and costs $2 per child.

Program Coordinator Katie Rizer, who is the Camp Director for Porter County Parks and Recreation, said the idea for the new club came directly from the campers.

“We had so many campers that asked us to keep camp going and Club FUNset was our best answer to that request,” Rizer said. “The kids are really taking ownership of the camps. They know that their ideas are heard and acted on at Camp and Club FUNset.”

The first Club FUNset will take place on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Sunset Hill Farm. Kids will have the chance to participate in hikes, outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, songs and a variety of other activities. The cost of the program is $2 per child.

Rizer said parents and kids have already expressed their excitement about Club FUNset, along with plans for enhancements to Camp FUNset this summer.

“Porter County Parks and Recreation has been a leader in environmental education for years and we had an opportunity last summer to really ramp up our programming,” she said. “We doubled the number of openings for our summer camps and, in response to such high demand, will increase openings in 2012. We've expanded the variety of camps, while maintaining environmental education at the core of our camps.”

A free program will take place each month immediately after Club FUNset called Meet Farmer Ryan, during which Porter County Parks and Recreation Farm Educator Ryan Wilson will introduce kids to the goats and chickens at Sunset Hill Farm. Participants will get hands-on experience taking care of the animals and learn about the work that goes into managing a farm.

Rizer said that she has seen a definite need for more active programs for kids during the winter and early spring.

“I think kids are misunderstood,” she said. “The kids we've worked with don't want to be glued to a TV playing video games all winter. They proved that when they came ready to play outdoors during our inaugural two-day winter camp.”

To RSVP for Club FUNset, contact Katie Rizer at 219-309-0680 or krizer@porterco.org.