While this spring has been doing a stutter-step in its arrival, summer will suddenly be upon us. Each year spring evaporates quickly leaving many parents at the beginning of summer without activities for their children. The Department of Parks and Recreation has plenty of programs for every age and every interest.
The Recreation Summer Camps and Clinics begin immediately following the end of school. The Recreation Basketball Clinic is under new direction this year, welcoming Ted Flick. Flick played for the University of Pennsylvania and brings over 25 years of coaching experience to this program. This five-week clinic will provide boys and girls in grades first through eighth the opportunity to fine-tune and develop their fundamental basketball skills. In addition to skills and drills players will put these new talents to use during inter-squad games. This evening camp runs on Thursdays, weekly from June 30 to July 28.
The Recreation Soccer Camp returns under the instruction of Coach Rich McConnell of Holy Cross High School. Coach McConnell will provide boys and girls in grades K-3 fundamental skills training, sportsmanship and general knowledge of the sport. The emphasis of this program is to develop solid soccer players in a fun and educational environment. The Recreation Soccer Camp will run from July 11 to 14.
For those children who just “love sports,” the Recreation Summer Sports Camp provides and overview of fundamentals for soccer, baseball, softball, street hockey, tennis, basketball and flag football. Under the new instruction of Coach McConnell sports and player development are the focus in this end-of-summer camp. This weeklong activity is perfect for young people who want to return to a sport after some time away, or start a sport that they always wanted to try. From Aug. 15 to 19 or Aug. 22 to 26 children ages 5 to 12 can develop a new set of skills in a fun and relaxed environment.
New this year, the Summer Art Camp will be an art-intensive week incorporating a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, 3-D sculptural art and a group mural. Children will create a variety of projects designed to promote their natural curiosity and creativity. Led by Artist-In-Residence Sophia Geiger, boys and girls in grades K-4 will spend the week of Aug. 1 to 5 making personal masterpieces. Children will enjoy experiential learning with seasoned, apprentice art students.
In addition to these specialized camps, the Department of Parks & Recreation will run its four to six week day-camps: the Summer Parks Program, the Summer Theater Program, the Teen Theater Program, The Special Needs Summer Camp and Four Is Fun. This year, the Summer Parks Program will again provide weekly field trips. This year, the camps will follow an environmental theme. In addition to the traditional bowling and roller skating trips, the department is sponsoring a series of nature programs and Junior Ranger programs in conjunction with the Burlington County Parks System and the Rancocas Nature Center. Field trips are for Summer Parks Program attendees only and can be registered for individually, but space is limited.
For more information about the Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Camps and Clinics visit the department webpage at www.moorestownrec.com. Moorestown youth need look no further than their own community for a variety of activities and programs to meet every interest. Register now for a summer filled with wonder.
