Great story about the promising programs running at Castro this summer. Perhaps this is a little off point, but this sentence perplexed me:

Because the city doesn't pay to use the space on Mountain View Whisman campuses, city recreation programs like Merriman's can be offered at a lower cost than privately operated summer camps.

The City jacked up the prices of its summer camps so much (approx 3x the price charged in prior years for non-financial aid students) that is is equal or higher to private options like the YMCA, Golden Eagle, etc. The price is so high that the City's camps are running at well under half the enrollment of prior years, and many kids are stuck fending for themselves at home instead of busy at camp. And college and high school kids who otherwise would have had summer jobs find themselves unemployed. Strange way for the City to try to drum up revenue. Increase the price by 25% or even 50%, but not 300%! And the school district lets the City run the camp for free...am not quite sure I follow this rationale...

City staff and Council members--are you listening? I hope you make adjustments next summer!

A good portion of students attending summer school are illegals or children of illegals showing up for more free food and daycare on the taxpayers dime. Summer school is no longer an option for kids of American citizens looking to excel.

I was going to say the same thing so I thank you for posting that. I am not sure she knew exactly of what she was saying by calling "affordable" We have put our kids in MV camps for years and now this year with the increasing being so high both kids got one camp each. They have been home all summer and miserable. Yes they can go play and yes we have time to work and play at home but they are not getting that since of community or the fun they get from the camps they have had in years past. I was very disappointed in the city when I saw how much they increased their fees. I understand they need to do what they can to keep the camps going but really increase it by three times as much per week. That is crazy.So when you say affordable. You need to think about that who your referring to. Because it certainly was not affordable for us.
In addition I think it is interesting when a kids recreation softball league uses a school campus for a three night meeting we are charged over $1000 but when the recreation department uses for camps there is no charge. So then what did my $220 fee go towards. I think both the city and the school district our playing games with our money to profit for themselves. At least I know when the softball league was charged the money went to the school which can be used for the children!!

Maybe the fees have increased so much because they are asking people who can pay to fund those who can't pay? As a legal citizen, I find myself increasing being taxed or fee-ed to death so that the low-income (mostly illegal) can live the American dream while I am just keeping my head above water.

It's one thing for people to work hard to get ahead, but it's another to rob those hard working citizens to pay for non-citizens. I'm not against illegals in our community. I'm just against having a city that wants me to support illegals by paying higher fee for services while they pay nothing to access the same services.

Nice to see that someone is reaching out to help the kids today, seems every is cutting services & taking away & here we have someone giving & trying to make a difference I give them huge KUDO'S!!
-----What have you done lately to help society?

Our students of today need a boost as our nation is behind- we could use 1000+ more of these program

Wish all of us could do a program like this & make the World a better place!

Have to agree with MV Mom. We were hugely disappointed at the enormous fee hike by the Rec Dept this year. I had said to my husband it must be because the school district has budget cuts, they must have increased their fees to the City which have been passed on... but if they're not being charged at all?? I feel swindled. And I could only afford one week of camp! :(

Well someone has to pay for the fat pensions for school and city, police and fire administrators. And if you can't afford camp, it must be because you can't qualify for free or reduced programs that the illegals qualify for.

Thank you all for your point about the rising cost for city programs. It may turn into another story in the Voice.

Ms. Merriman did mention to me that prices are going up for camps. I did not include that as the story was meant to be an overview of everything going on at the school.

@Ned - How do you know these people are illegals? The camps consist of a very diverse group of kids who aren't just being babysat; the program is very structured. It's a shame that you would want to take something as wonderful as a summer program and try to manipulate it to fit your perverse politics. How sad..