ROK-Central's (Recreation Opportunities For Kids) halfway through the summer camp they offer at the BDO Centre in Portage la Prairie.

Around 40 kids have been taking part throughout the summer which is up from the previous years according to Rec Supervisor Lynne Parker.

"It's been really busy. We had a couple of really busy days where we had Big Brothers Big Sisters join us and some kids from the Newcomers Welcome Centre," says Parker. "We're pretty much maxed out, it definitely grew this year quite a bit, and that's in part to the fact that we got two different grants and we could hire some students to be camp leaders. Funding for staffing really matters."

Some of the kids answering questions Tuesday at the BDO Centre. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

Parker says they get a lot of support from parents and organizations in the area and around the province. Kids play floor hockey and basketball in the arena, and they've also had archery demonstrations, lacrosse days, Softball Manitoba has stopped in, and they also did rugby this year which was a first. Stephen Prince of Ogitchita Motivational Arts Cooperative even stopped by this week to help educate the children on bullying and being safe.

"I'm looking to give children advice and tools they need to know about anti-bullying and stranger dangers," says Prince. "There are a lot of strangers in the world and I want to make sure kids have some of the tools to be safe. Not all kids have positive role models in their lives, I know I'm there for my kids, but other kids don't have that opportunity. So by being the example in the community, hopefully, even if I change one person's life I've made a difference."

Parker adds it will be busy for the full four weeks through August, and she expects the program to continue to grow.