5 Fun Arlington Recreation Department Summer Programs

ARLINGTON, MA — Summer can be a great time of the year to try something new. Whether it's a different type of sport, potential future hobby or simply going someplace off the beaten path, school vacation provides a chance to get out of the routine and develop a new interest.

Giving Arlington students exposure to those new opportunities is the idea behind several of the Arlington Recreation Department's summer offerings where students can give a program a whirl without the commitment, expense and schedule-juggling that often comes with signing up during the school year.

"With our programs, like fencing, we find there is a certain kind of kid who wants to give it a shot,
" Arlington Recreation Administrative Assistant Linda Kirchner said. "A lot of the kids in those programs are too old to be in a full-day camp, but too young to be working, so this gives them a great chance to sample these things at a reasonable rate."

Arlington Recreation offers more than 40 programs for different ages and levels of experience in sports ranging from hockey to tennis to learning to row, as well as day-trip programs and camps that are focused on spending time out on the water at the Arlington Reservoir or Spy Pond. Here are five that might be worth a try to possibly spark a lasting interest:

EXPLORATION CLUB

This camp — with space still available — runs in weekly sessions from July 8 to Aug. 16 for students in grades 6 through 9. Trips are taken each day to destinations such as Water Country, Kimball Farms, Canobie Lake Park and Tree Top Adventures, with the other days spent examining the outdoors with daily hikes at places such as George’s Island and Mount Wachusett.

The program was expanded to more destinations and capacity this summer due to high demand.

FENCING

Arlington Recreation offers both youth and adult fencing programs throughout the year with the summer youth program running on Thursdays Aug. 1-22 under the direction of United States Fencing Association-certified coach Michael Tarascio. Tarascio is a Level 4 foil coach who was on the United States World Championships team in men’s foil.

This program offers the chance to learn one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and develop fitness, strategy, camaraderie and respect. Tarascio donates $25 to the Arlington Eats Program of the Arlington Food Pantry for each registration received from a first-time participant.

Summer classes are separated into beginner/intermediate level for ages 7-and-over from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. at the Thompson School, and beginner/intermediate/advanced for ages 12-and-over from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Those interested can contact Tarascio at Michael@nefencing.com or 978-210-2711.

LEARN-TO-ROW

This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and improve conditioning while learning the sport with the Arlington-Belmont Crew program at the Spy Pond boat ramp. This camp is open to students in grades 8 through 10 and runs two, two-week sessions this summer from 10 a.m. to noon on July 8-19 and July 22-Aug. 2.

HOCKEY & MORE

One way to cool off during the summer is to head inside the rink with the Arlington Hockey & More program offering the chance to skate for three hours a day and participate in camp activities the rest of the afternoon. Get your hockey legs back under you in the morning, with afternoon sessions offering the chance to swim at Reservoir Beach when weather allows.

Former Arlington High and New England College hockey standout Rachel White runs the program for grades 2 through 6 in either half- or full-day sessions Aug. 5-8 and Aug. 26-29.

VIKING/NINJA WARRIOR

This camp is an ideal way to burn off that remaining summer energy as students ages 7-12 prepare to head back to school. The Aug. 26-30 camp transforms the Ottoson Middle School into an arena where they will participate in exercises throughout the day that prepare them to attack the Viking Ninja Warrior obstacle course in the afternoon.

Fitness is made fun with supportive coaches who engage the campers as they leap from ascending plyo boxes and scale the enormous obstacle bounce house. All Viking campers receive a T-shirt and trophy at the end of the week.

Go here for more information on the Viking Ninja Warrior camp.

Registration information on all Arlington Recreation camps can be found here.