Christmas comes early with NECIC’s ‘Jingle in July’ camp for kids on July 22

MANSFIELD — Christmas cheer is arriving early this year on Mansfield’s north end.

The North End Community Improvement Collaborative will host its first “Jingle in July,” a free one-day supervised camp for children ages six to 11 on July 22 at GROW by NECIC, 486 Springmill St.

The camp will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and feature holiday-themed activities, games, gingerbread figure decorating, lunch and snacks and a special visit from Mrs. Claus.

Registration is open until spots fill up. Once the camp reaches capacity, organizers will place additional registrants on a waiting list and notify them if an opening becomes available.

Because the event takes place outdoors in July, organizers ask parents to send children with a refillable water bottle and sunscreen. Families registering multiple children must complete a separate registration form for each child.

Christmas in July

Emily Schwan, director of community organizing for NECIC, said the idea came from the organization’s CEO, Matthew Benko-Scruggs’, love for the Christmas season and desire to bring Christmas cheer to the community before the holiday season starts.

“This is the first year for it,” Schwan said. “Our CEO is very passionate about Christmas. He thought it would be fun to do this now instead of waiting until December.”

Mrs. Claus will lead several activities throughout the day, including story-time, crafts and an “Elf Academy,” where children will learn how to become elves and receive certificates.

Children will also get paper versions of gingerbread figures they can design.

“We’re going to pick four of those designs and then paint them on the big wooden cutouts we have,” Schwan said.

She added the four chosen will be displayed at the store this December, along with displays available for North End businesses this winter.

A preview of what’s to come

The camp also serves a larger purpose for NECIC as the organization prepares to open its new community space.

Schwan said the camp is designed to give children a memorable summer experience while introducing families to a new community gathering place in Mansfield’s north end.

“We hope the kids have a good time but also recognize this space as a place they can come and parents can bring them here when it opens,” Schwan said. “We will hold things regularly.”

She said NECIC aims to open the space in August.

The reimagined community space will bring a new, farm style-grocery store and community gathering space to 486 Springmill St.