GOOD TIMES AWAIT
Recreation Dept. offering diverse activities for kids at summer camp
Even though this world seems rather different these days, one thing is the same — kids love summer camp.
From making new friends, to trying out different activities and just being creative, your child has a lot to gain from attending summer camp.
The Recreation Department, which has hosted summer youth programs for over 40 years, knows how to keep kids happy during the summer, and this year, will prove to be no different.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and not being able to use any school facilities, the Department will be hosting a few small mini programs instead of their All-Day Summer Programs as in years past.
“As we move forward during these difficult times, we strive to make these programs safe and fun for the participants as well as our staff,” Judith Sumner, Recreation Director said.
The following programs will be offered this summer:
Explore the Woods on a Mountain Bike
If you like to be outdoors exploring the woods on a mountain bike, then this is the perfect program to try.
“Leominster State Forest offers a wide variety of terrain,”
said Sumner. “We will navigate over rocks, roots, fallen trees, stumps, bridges and water.”
Participants are asked to bring their own front suspension or full suspension pre-inspected mountain bike, a certified helmet, and hydration backpack or H2O bottle and cage. Having an extra chain link, tire tube, and bike tools are important in case of a break down but are not mandatory.
This program will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26, for children ages 10 to 15. Cost is $80 for Leominster residents; $90 for non-residents. Drop off and pick up will be at the Elm Street entrance to Leominster State Forest. Erin Van Tuyl will instruct up to 20 participants.
‘Thank Goodness for Baseball’
“Whether you are a young beginner just learning the game or a middle school player ready to take your game up a notch, this baseball clinic is for you,” Sumner said.
This clinic is designed for ages 7 through 12 to help improve on the fundamentals of baseball and help fine-tune your skills.
“You will learn hitting, fielding, mechanics and sportsmanship,” Sumner said. “This clinic will be run by Richard Barnaby, Varsity Baseball Coach for Leominster High School and Dave Smith who has over 30 year’s experience coaching baseball and directing baseball camps for former Red Sox catcher, Rich Gedman.”
Participants must bring their own glove and a helmet if they have one.
There will be two sessions offered, both held at the National Little League Field (located behind Northwest School); and are limited to 20 participants each session.
The first session will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 (with a rain day of Friday, July 3).
Registration for this program ends Monday, June 22. Cost is $100.
The second session will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Monday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30 (with a rain day of Friday, July 31). Registration for this pro
gram ends Monday, July 20. Cost is $100.
F.A.S.T. Athletics Mini Sports
“This program is a combination of warm-up games and sports such as soccer, kickball, and t-ball,” Sumner said. “It will ease children into learning the basics of all these great games as well as teaching them the importance of teamwork.”
Each class there will be new and exciting games planned for participants. Each day the participant will have the opportunity to work on a skill in one of the sports followed by team activities where the focus is on skills/sportsmanship/fun!
This program, geared for children ages 4 to 6, will be held from 9 a.m. until noon, Monday, Aug. 10 through Friday, Aug. 14, at Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway. Cost is $100 per person; with a limit of 10 participants.
F.A.S.T. Athletics Sports
Get up, get going, get active with a F.A.S.T. Athletics Summer Sports Program!
F.A.S.T. Athletics will offer a variety of structured sports and activities each day such as: soccer, mat ball, basketball, dodgeball, and kickball.
“This program, which is geared for kids ages 7 to 12, will begin with proper stretching and warm-up games as well as learning basic skills of each sport, each day will end with a high energy game/ tournament with the sport played that day,” Sumner says.
This program will be held from 9 a.m. until noon, Monday, Aug. 17 through Friday, Aug. 21, at Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway. Cost is $100 per person, with a limit of 10 participants.
The following four programs will be held for five weeks each and will be held on the grounds of Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway, with a priority given to Leominster residents.
The weeks are as follows: Week 1 – July 6 through 10; Week 2 – July 13 to 17; Week 3 – July 20 to 24; Week 4 – July 27 to 31; and Week 5 – Aug. 3 to 7.
“Nichole Comeau will direct all the programs held at Barrett Park this summer,” Sumner said. “Nichole is a certified teacher, with 11 year’s experience working for the Recreation Department. Our senior staff consist of teachers, tutors, and instructional assistants.”
Let’s STEAM Ahead!
STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
“STEAM aims to spark an interest and lifelong love of the arts and sciences in children from an early age,” Sumner said.
This program will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for children ages 8 to 12. Cost $60 per person per week, 10-person limit.
Get creative in Movement & Art
Part of the day kids will be doing stretching, balancing, dance with gentle movement and incorporating some yoga. The rest of the day will be spent creating an art project.
This program will be held from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday for children ages 8 to 12. Cost is $60 per person per week, with a limit of seven participants.
Fitness & Sports Conditioning
“Physical activity is essential for a child’s development,” Sumner says. “It helps build stronger muscles and bones, improves cardiovascular fitness, and helps with weight control. Physical activity is needed to develop better motor skills, concentration and thinking skills”
This program will be held from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday for children ages 8 to 12. Cost is $60 per person per week, with a limit of 10 participants. If it rains, this program will be canceled for the day (there is one rain day built in).
Get outdoors and explore with Hiking & Outdoor program
“Hiking will bring the children outdoors to enjoy fresh air and get some exercise,” Sumner said. “It is great for their health. It will help with building balance and agility by climbing over fallen trees, climbing over rocks, and walking on uneven surfaces. It helps to build self-confidence as they cross a stream or climb up a hill. They will also explore nature and learn to appreciate the natural environment. “
This program will be held from 9 a.m. until noon, Monday through Friday for children ages 8 to 12. Cost is $60 per person per week, with a limit of 10 participants. Drop off and pick up locations may vary; however Mondays will always be at Barrett Park. If it rains, this program will be canceled for the day (there is one rain day built in).
Children are asked to bring a snack and a labeled water bottle each day.
“As we do this, we ask that you please keep your child home if he/she has any symptoms or has been in contact with someone who has COVID-19,” Sumner said. “Call our office to let us know immediately.”
Mandatory requirements for participation in these summer programs will be followed to ensure the safety of all children and staff, Participant’s temperature will be taken at drop off prior to parent/ guardian leaving. If a participant has a temperature of 100.0 or higher, they will not be permitted to stay.
A participant must bring a face mask to be worn when in the buildings or in proximity together. If your child does not have a mask, one will be provided.
Six-foot social distancing will be encouraged by increased spacing, limited mixing between groups, and staggered drop off and pick up times. If your child has difficulty following social distancing guidelines, he/she may be sent home from the program and no refund will be issued.
“We will promote healthy hygiene practices such as hand washing” she said. “We ask that each participant bring their own small bottle of hand sanitizer if possible, labeled with their name on it. We will also have some available as well, especially for those programs that may not have access to hand washing.”
Where feasible, the staff will adjust activities and procedures to limit sharing of items such as supplies, and equipment and all frequently touched surfaces will be routinely cleaned daily.
“Many children have been inactive for over three months of quarantine and they need to get outside and stay physically active for their health,” Sumner said. “Children who get outside for fresh air and physical activities are less prone to getting sick. Studies have shown that it reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and mental illness — and it just makes them happier.”