Summer is coming and the Lee County Department of Recreation and Parks in Lehigh Acres is planning its two summer camps for youngsters age 6 to 13 and from 12 to 16.

The camps are a popular event for the Recreation Department and the sooner parents and their children sign up for the camp the more likely there will be a spot available.

Christine Susterich, a senior parks and recreation specialist at Veterans Park Recreation Center at 55 Homestead Rd., said the two camps will be able to accommodate 220 youngsters. After that, they will not be able to accept more campers, she said.

“This is a very popular eight-week camp and we are now getting ready and we have announced open enrollment,” Susterich said.

Renee Chupashko, an administrative assistant at Veterans Park Recreation Center, said those who want to attend camp can register two ways.

“They can come into the office here at the rec center and I will fill out the forms. The cost is $75 a week. But if they go online to fill out the application, the cost is only $67.50 a week,” she said.

Chupashko said applicants must have paid the one-time fee of $10 to participate in events at the Lehigh recreation center. Those who have not, may add the $10 to the total cost for camp. To register at the recreation center, call 369-1521. Those who have paid the $10 one-time fee, may go online at www.leeparks.org and fill out the application.

The two summer camps run from June 4 through July 27 and include all types of activities and two field trips.

The Traditional Camp is for youngsters from age 6 to 13 and can accommodate 180 children. The T-Camp is for youngsters from age 12-16 and can accommodate 40 teenagers.

Nancy Zukaitis will oversee the Traditional Camp and Christine Susterich will oversee the T-Camp.

Susterich has just returned to work at the Lehigh Acres recreational center after spending some years in North Fort Myers at a county recreation center there.

“I’m real excited to return to Lehigh,” she said. “And we are going to have two really fun camps.”

The two field trips include trips to King Richard’s Fair in Naples and to Sun and Fun Lagoon waterpark, also in Naples. The two group camps will attend the Naples sites at different dates, Susterich said.

Known in Lehigh as “Miss Chris,” Susterich reminds everyone that it is important to sign up as soon as possible to reserve your spot for one of the two camps.

She said students get out of school May 24 and will have one week off before summer camp begins. Youngsters who attend the after school program can still participate in activities at the center that week before camp.

The Lehigh recreation center site is one of the more popular recreational centers in Lee County. Constructed in 2004, the recreational center has some 6,000 family members who take part in many of the activities offered at the center. The Lehigh site is regarded as one of the “mega rec centers” in the county, along with Estero, Wa-Ke-Hatchee and N. Park in North Fort Myers. There are 10 recreation centers in Lee County.

Susterich said campers should wear comfortable clothes with socks and tennis shoes.

“No flip-flops, they must be tennis shoes for sure,” she said.

On the days of the two field trips, campers will be given a T-shirt to identify them as campers from Lehigh.

In the fall after summer camps are over, Susterich said she will offer a strength training and toning class for those 18 years old and up.

She replaces James Pittro who has been a recreational specialist in Lehigh since the new building opened. He is being transferring to North Fort Myers where a brand new center will open within a year.

“I believe construction will begin in a couple of months,” Pittro said.

Renee Chupashko said all types of sporting activities are offered at the Lehigh recreational center along with many other programs such as classes to learn how to play chess.

Susterich also announced a new event at the Veterans Park Recreational Center.

“We are going to offer for the first time Pole Walking. It will be a morning class from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. starting April 4 and ending April 25 for $40; and from May 1 through May 22 for $40. It is for those 18 and up.

Local resident Lindy Smith, a trained Nordic Walking instructor will teach you everything you need to know to become an “upright citizen.” She said to wear “comfy clothing, closed toe shoes and bring a water bottle.”

Walking poles will be provided.

Pole Walking will improve your posture, burn calories, increase cardio and build bone density, Smith said.

Call 239-533-7440 for registration. You can also call 239-369-1521 for more information.