Inside, kids are watching a movie, making crafts and playing Monopoly.

It's an hour of free activity time at the Thorold Community Activities Group Summer Day Camp.

Soon the kids will walk over to Sullivan Park where they will indulge in their lunch, then spend the afternoon swimming at the pool in McMillan Park.

"We use the pool quite a bit, especially when it's warm outside," said Judy Graham of the Thorold Community Activities Group.

It's summer camp season in Thorold.

But there's something different about the camp this year.

Since the expansion of the new Nick Basciano Centre, the Thorold Community Activities Group has been able to expand the number of children allowed at camp.

"We've got 60 kids this year where we could only ever handle 40 in the past," said Graham.

"Next year maybe we will have 3- to 5-year-old camp because we have the space upstairs now. That's something we're certainly thinking of doing."

As Graham explains, the Nick Basciano Centre has given the camp more flexibility.

"We are able to separate the children into different age groups this year because we have more space," she said.

"Even having an outdoor play area has helped a lot."

In the past the only outdoor space was covered in gravel, which proved to be limited in terms of the types of activities the children could enjoy.

On a recent Friday, the kids were outside playing hockey and soccer on the newly paved lot that replaced the gravel.

"They're certainly getting a lot more physical activity," said Graham.

But as she explains, the benefit of having more space gives the camp more variety on what the kids can do.

"Before if we were playing hockey, that's all you could do. But not all kids enjoy being physical. Some kids are quiet and some enjoy making crafts. It (Nick Basciano Centre) really makes it more enjoyable for the kids and that's what it's all about."

As always, the camp still offers weekly trips which proved to be a favourite for camper Erica Dumas.

"I really enjoy it because we get to go to all kinds of places and not just stay here. I'm really looking forward to Marineland," said Erica.

"I like the trips the best."