Exeter Summer Camp
An examination of the township summer camp program
**Today, guest writer and Exeter resident Alison Wilson gives us this piece on the Exeter summer camp program. Alison approached me with the idea, and my having no idea about stuff like this gave me the impetus to go for it, so I told her to make it happen. She did a great, informative piece here. Enjoy.**
Two weeks ago, the Exeter Township Department of Parks and Recreation opened registration for its 2025 summer camps. The cost is set at $400 for eight weeks. When I saw this, I was surprised. My grandchildren attend summer camps run by local governments in neighboring communities, and the costs are much higher. Some people I spoke with were also shocked by the price, but for different reasons—many communities offer similar programs at much lower costs. This led me to question: What are the differences between these programs? And what type of summer program would best serve our community? I decided to investigate further.
A Look at the History
Summer playground programs have been run by local governments for decades. I am personally aware of them back to the 1960s. Initially, these programs were free, operating in the mornings and evenings, allowing children to come and go as they pleased, and pick and choose which activities to participate in. It was a service provided by the community that encouraged kids to get out of the house and participate in supervised games, crafts, and active play. There was no limit to the number of participants. Over time, some townships introduced small fees to help cover costs.
Exeter Township, however, has moved away from that traditional model. Instead, it offers a structured, multi-theme-based summer camp. Registration is required, participation is limited, and camp hours run from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, with optional field trips on Fridays for an additional fee. This model has been in place for at least 10-15 years. In 2021, the township charged $120 for the camp, and at its peak, the program served 500 campers. However, the fee did not fully cover expenses, and was becoming an issue. COVID-19 led to the camp’s cancellation in 2020, and participation declined significantly in 2021 and 2022. Without a Director of Parks and Recreation in mid-2022, alternative options were explored.
The Transition to YMCA Management
In 2023, Exeter Township contracted with the Reading YMCA to manage the summer program. This arrangement allowed the township to offer a program without incurring operational costs. However, the cost for campers jumped to $688 for eight weeks. The program maintained the same hours and included, per the contract, “ “weekly off-site field trips, daily on-site activities, weekly off-site programs, weekly on-site specialty programs, and a project-based learning component. Rain day programming at the Dunn Community Center”. This program was uniquely designed for Exeter and was not offered elsewhere in Berks County.
Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the price increase, and concerns arose over busing campers to the Reading YMCA for pool time. The same arrangement continued in 2024. For 2025, however, the township has decided to take back control of the program.
Comparing Programs in Neighboring Communities
So back to my original questions - what are the differences in the programs being offered by neighboring communities? Is Exeter Township doing what is best for all of its residents? Is Exeter meeting the needs of today’s families? There are a few things to consider.
Many municipalities continue to offer traditional playground programs. St. Lawrence Borough provides its program for free, while Wyomissing Borough and Spring Township charge small fees. Three municipalities contract with the Reading YMCA for playground programs at minimal costs, often supplemented by local governments. These programs typically do not include field trips, indoor facilities for bad weather, or water activities, but they offer supervised activities for children at fees ranging from $50 to $200. There are usually no enrollment caps, and the township covers any budget shortfalls.
Summer camps, on the other hand, are a different model, providing full-day coverage with structured activities. For example:
Camp Black Rock in Upper Providence Township runs from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for six weeks, costing $1,250 in 2024.
Camp Shamrock in Limerick operates from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for seven weeks at a cost of $865. Field trips are optional and cost an additional $10-$15 each. Extended hours are available. Campers are not required to participate in field trips and have the option of staying at the camp and having a regular camp day.
The Reading and Berks Area YMCA runs an eight-week camp from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at a cost of $1,648, with indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, and water play. Extended hours are available.
All three of these camps have an indoor facility on-site. Costs to the townships are covered by the fees being charged.
Exeter Township’s 2025 Summer Camp
For 2025, Exeter is returning to its previous format, with a fee of $400 per camper. While still higher than past years, this price is lower than what the YMCA charged. Registration is limited to 150 campers. The Dunn Center will serve as an indoor location during inclement weather. Field trips will be offered on Fridays at an additional estimated cost of $20-$25 each, adding up to approximately $200 for those who participate in all trips. The program is structured like a summer camp but operates for limited hours.
The Township’s Perspective
I reached out to Township Manager Bill Heim for his thoughts on the program. He responded:
“We decided to bring the program back because we believe we can provide a better experience for our residents’ children. Many families sought improvements over the YMCA-run program, which was also more than twice the cost of ours. As for the hours of operation, we believe they are appropriate to provide a quality camp at a reasonable cost.
Exeter never offered extended hours, and neither did the YMCA. We are not aiming to replace daycare or childcare operations.
The rate we are charging should cover the cost of staffing and supplies to run the event.
Our key staff, most of whom live in the township and have children, discussed our options, and decided to get back to running our own program. As township manager, I participated in and supported this decision and presented it during the budget workshops to the Board of Supervisors.”
A Flawed Approach?
I disagree with Mr. Heim and his staff. For years, Exeter Township subsidized a summer program with hours that were almost full-time but not quite. Based on Heim’s comments, it seems the township deliberately designed the program to avoid being classified as childcare. But why? With so many two-working-parent households in 2025, the stigma around daycare should be a thing of the past. And, at the extremely low fee being charged when they previously ran the camp , what most likely occurred is that it was used for that purpose with parents struggling to come up with a solution for the hours not covered by the program. That is still going to happen.
By outsourcing the program to the YMCA, the cost increased significantly, prompting families to seek alternatives. Now, the township has reclaimed control, reducing costs but still charging significantly more than in previous years. The question remains: Who is Exeter’s program truly serving?
The hours don’t accommodate full-time working parents, leaving the program appealing mainly to stay-at-home parents, teachers with summers off, or part-time workers. However, families I spoke with in these categories prefer flexible, specialized programs like sports or arts camps rather than a structured general camp.
For lower-income families, a low-cost or free playground program would be more attractive. With additional field trip costs of $200, Exeter’s program could be a financial strain on some families. So if it’s not designed to support working parents and doesn’t meet the needs of lower-income families, who is it really for?
The Need for Change
Other communities have adapted their summer programs to meet modern family needs. Exeter Township should do the same. The demand is clear—Camp Shamrock filled all 175 slots within 30 minutes, while Exeter’s camp, with 150 slots, has had open registration for over two weeks and still has availability. That speaks volumes.
The decision to bring the summer program back under township management was made by the township manager and staff, but it required approval from the Board of Supervisors. Not one supervisor publicly questioned whether this model best serves the community. I think longer hours are the way to go. Or if they are determined to keep the current hours, maybe they should subsidize the program to make it more affordable to lower income individuals. The township subsidizes or covers the cost of other services that don’t benefit everyone. It certainly makes more sense than paying $805,000 to get Dave Hughes off of the board.
Looking Ahead
In a few months, there will be a primary election. Three of the five seats on the Board of Supervisors will be on the ballot. Two supervisors, George Bell and Michelle Kircher, have long tenures—Kircher’s six-year term ends in 2025, while Bell has served four years. It’s up to residents to decide if they have earned your trust and deserve to continue leading the township.
Exeter should be governed with the needs of all residents in mind. Unfortunately, under the current leadership, that isn’t always happening. With the right mix of people on the Board of Supervisors, perhaps that will happen in the future.