Campers at private Halecrest Park in Costa Mesa run, play and unplug from the day-to-day

Play ruled the day Friday at Costa Mesa’s Halecrest Park as local children enjoyed a rapidly diminishing recess from school on the final day of Presidents Week Camp, a place where — gasp! — no electronics are allowed.

For more than a decade, kids ages 4 to 12 have come to the member-owned park to relax and unwind in a series of seasonal camps that allow campers to engage in unstructured play of their choosing, while giving parents a bit of a break when school’s out.

Lauren Kensey, 8, center, Frank Cox, 5, right, and Zara Levoit, 8, left, play Friday at Halecrest Park in Costa Mesa.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

“There are kids swinging, there are kids on the playground. They’re playing dodge ball,” said Halecrest activities director Sharon Comer. “They can climb trees. There’s a sandbox — it’s just good, old-fashioned play.”

A former San Diego YMCA employee who developed the camps nearly 15 years ago, after seeing the park’s pristine 5 acres as another way to make use of the private property, Comer started with just a handful of kids and now handles anywhere from 30 to 50 wards.

In addition to sports and playground antics, those who prefer indoor recreation can play board games or draw, whatever strikes their fancy. One rule, though, is no phones or iPads are allowed. Comer said parents agree to the rule when they sign the contract.

Kate Kensey, 10, top left, Camila Salas, 9, top right, play a game of tennis Friday with Grant Cummingham, 8, bottom right, and Rockwell Tompkins, 7, bottom left, at Presidents Week Camp at Halecrest Park.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

Most kids don’t mind, maybe secretly enjoy the feeling of being unplugged, but some find ways to sneak in a contraband moment.

“I’m not going to lie, I’ve seen a couple of kids hiding in the trees with their phones,” she said. “But I think they get it, because they keep coming back.”

Park manager Diana Moore grew up in the neighborhood and used to play at Halecrest Park, which was founded in 1959. Membership is open to anyone, regardless of residency. However, with about 250 families already enrolled, the wait list is about two to three years.

“We used to be called Costa Mesa’s best kept secret,” she said. “But the secret’s out.”

Junior counselor Alyssa Soto, 13, right, assists Elio Harness-Tognoli, 9, center, and Mason Hatch, 9, as they make pearl bead designs at Presidents Week Camp, where no electronics are allowed.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

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