RFPR launches scholarship program
Also, a free Truck or Treat event is set for Halloween at Ridge Ferry Park.
Also, a free Truck or Treat event is set for Halloween at Ridge Ferry Park.
The Rome-Floyd Parks & Recreation advisory board is launching an awareness campaign for its new scholarship program, with youth basketball registration underway.
“We also need to get the word out about the winter camps coming up,” Chairman Spencer Brewer said Tuesday. “The scholarship money is out there. Fees can be reduced.”
The program is funded through seed money set aside by the County Commission from a bond backing payment made by Floyd Medical Center.
It provides a discount of either 50 percent or 75 percent, depending on family income, on the registration price for all sports,
camps and programs.
RFPR Executive Director Kevin Cowling said the applications, available at the administration building, 1 Shorter Ave., spell out the eligibility requirements. Income caps start at $17,050 for a family of one and go to $32,100 for a family of eight.
Board members said the assistance could help boost the participation rate in various sports — which is down significantly
for football and cheerleading but continues to rise for volleyball.
“There are still a lot of kids in the city who want to play football,” said member Charles Smith, a coach at Anna K. Davie Elementary.
In addition to basketball registration, which runs through Nov. 5, the department has scheduled two Winter Adventure camps for ages 4½ to 13 during the upcoming school breaks.
Offering structured activities, games, contests, field trips, crafts and movies, the camps run from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The weeklong session from Dec. 18 through Dec. 22 is $100 a child and the shorter session, on Dec. 27, 28 and 29, is $80 a child.
Among the other upcoming activities is a Truck or Treat evening at Ridge Ferry Park from 5 to 9 p.m. on Halloween. The free event features inflatables and costume contests along with safe trick-or-treating.
Cowling said 13 groups so far have signed up to hand out candy compared to nine last year, which was the first time for the event. Groups and food vendors that want to participate should contact Betsy Allgood at allgoodb@floydcountyga.org.
Also, a free candy cane hunt at the Town Green for children ages 10 and under is scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 18 during the Downtown Holiday Open House.