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St. James Town kids are getting an impressive immersion in sports and the arts thanks to a free summer day camp.

The City Hope/Macaco Club-St. James Town Safety Committee's summer camp allows kids seven to 14 years old a unique opportunity to get some physical exercise and expand their educational and social horizons.

The camp is a collaborative effort between community-building agency City Hope and the Macaco Club after-school program. The two organizations are aiming to redefine the traditional summer camp.

"We're trying to make it more educational and guide these kids onto the right path," said camp coordinator Chiara Lara. "St. James Town is a haven for new immigrants and parents are sometimes pretty occupied working two or three jobs."

With that in mind, the camp aims to both steer kids away from negative elements in the community such as guns and drugs and to enhance their education. With a maximum of 25 to 30 kids per session, counselors are able to ensure that each camper gets the attention and instruction they need.

Funded through Manulife and other donors, the camp consists of two components - athletic and artistic. Campers are treated to instruction from members of Tapestry New Opera Works and have day trips to local destinations that also enhance their learning.

"It's a great opportunity for kids to get involved in opera and other new things," said Lara. "There are so many groups out there outreaching to youth and we're lucky to be able to have them offer some teaching."

Campers work extensively with Tapestry New Opera devising a musical that they present at the end of their camp session.

"They always come in with so many great ideas based on things they see in their own community," Lara said. "It's amazing how quickly kids can come up with a crazy, fantastic story."

Tapestry New Opera spokesperson Amber Ebert said the organization is happy to lend its expertise to youth, and that the camp fits in perfectly with Tapestry's goal of reaching out to kids who might never be exposed to opera otherwise.

"We have one of our composers here, and I lead them in games, but when it comes to coming up with a play, it's entirely their doing," she said. "It's definitely great to see them get involved and get excited about it."

The free camp is entirely volunteer-driven, with instructors donating their own time to give kids a chance to attend a camp - something many of them would be unable to do without the City Hope/Macaco Club partnership.

The camp's first of two sessions this summer is nearly complete, with a second session due to run from August 5 through 15. Lara said she hopes to start the camp earlier next year to give more kids a chance to participate.

"There's a real need for it in this area, so I'm hoping we can get it to start as soon as kids are out of school next summer," she said.

The camp takes place from 8:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. every day. To register a child for the upcoming session, visit the City Hope office at 562 Sherbourne St. or the St. James Town Safety Committee office in the sub-basement at 240 Wellesley St.