New youth camp immerses students into learning

[gallery]SANDUSKY — Before they returned to school, sisters Journey Newell, 9, and Mayevia Schreck-Newell, 8, were up for trying something new. On Wednesday, they used simulators to navigate sailboats through waters near Sydney, Australia. Using a tiller for steering, the Venice Heights Elementary students guided their boats around paths, learning how to do so by watching their peers and trying it out themselves.Thanks to the simulators, provided by the Sandusky Jr. Sailing Club in Sandusky High School's cafeteria, the sisters want to experience boating once again, possibly in an upcoming "Sail with the Captain" program in July, hosted by the sailing club.With help from Larry Knauer, Syanne Sizemore, 9, navigates a sailboat through a simulation on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at Sandusky High School.The girls were among 60 students in grades K-12 who showed up for the inaugural "New Year, New You" youth camp hosted by Sandusky's recreation department. The free event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily through Friday at Sandusky High School.Tondra Frisby, Sandusky's youth program supervisor, said she wanted to make sure students had something to do between the holidays and school starting back up. It's similar to the department's spring break camp, which debuted last year.Children check out the planetarium during the winter break camp at Sandusky High School on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019."We're always thinking about what they're doing when they're not at school," she said.In addition to the sailing simulator, students can experience activities like a basketball clinic with high school basketball players, volleyball and dodgeball games, an educational space program in the newly renovated Sidney Frohman planetarium, classes by NexXt Level Fit Academy and the Crooked Canvas and more. Free lunches were provided by Lee's Chicken, Berardi's Family Kitchen and Pizza House East.Members of Sandusky fire and police departments joined in on the fun, too.Along with learning social skills and gaining hands-on experiences, Frisby sees another value she wants students to take away from the camp."We want them to know the city of Sandusky cares about them," she said.Anarion Stanford, 8, and Makayla Enderle, 10, play Jenga during the winter break camp put together by Sandusky's recreation department at Sandusky High School on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodChildren participating in the winter break camp watch a presentation at the planetarium in Sandusky High School on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.