5 Fun Melrose Recreation Department Summer Programs

MELROSE, MA — The Melrose Recreation Department runs its summer sports programs as well as any town around. From Little Kickers Soccer to QuickStart Tennis to basketball, field hockey, cheerleading and multi-sport clinics, elementary, middle and high school students can stay active throughout July and August. But Recreation Director Frank Olivieri said the department saw a trend in recent years where more and more young people were looking for group activities that did not involve a ball, a bat or a goal.

"We’re always proud of our sports programs," he said. "Those have always been a huge area of interest for us. But more and more we are finding that kids are just as interested in the arts, filmmaking, robotics and music."

So Melrose Recreation has sought to expand in those areas to help stimulate the mind as much as the competitive spirit, with camps and clinics including film classes, EV3 Robotic Amusement Thrill Rides & Stop Animation programs and this year the introduction of Project S.E.L.F. nights aimed at empowering middle school girls.

Along with the more the traditional offerings, the hope is that that will be programs that appeal to everyone. Here are five to check out as you plan your summer activities:

FILMMAKERS CLASS ACADEMY

Creators of the Boston International Kids Film Festival, in partnership with Melrose Mass Television, will offer two classes July 22-26 and July 29-Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MMTV studios at 360 Main Street. Classes are open to those ages 10 through 14.

Students will be able to use their creativity to collaborate on a film while learning storyboarding, scriptwriting, camera skills and editing. All final films will be screened at the Boston International Kids Film Festival in November.

For more information on this program, contact at laura@filmmakerscollab.org or call 781-662-1102.

PROJECT S.E.L.F.

The program "She Embraces Life Fearlessly" is aimed at empowering girls and fostering the development of body positivity and self-confidence. Meetings will include group discussions, crafts and fitness activities.

"That’s a brand new program for us," Olivieri said. "They did it in Wakefield last year and got a ton of girls who wanted to take the course, so we wanted to see one done in Melrose as well. It really helps girls build up their confidence and helps with body image."

Project S.E.L.F. runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Thursday from July 11 to Aug. 13 at the Milano Center. Emily Hammond and Jillian Raso teach the program for girls in grades 5 through 8.

LETGOYOURMIND ROBOTICS

Eight sessions covering three age groups will run this summer as part where builders will construct Amusement Park Thrill Rides using LEGOs, motors and gears. The older age group will build and edit their own movie set using Minecraft skills.

Sessions for ages 4-5 will be July 8-12 and 15-19. Sessions for ages 6-9 will be July 8-12, 15-19 and 22-26. Sessions for ages 9-14 will be July 8-12, 15-19 and 22-26.

YOUTH TENNIS LESSONS

Olivieri calls Melrose "the hub of tennis in the area" with the Recreation offering QuickStart Head Start programs for those as young as 3.

The QuickStart program use smaller racquets, slower and lighter balls, shorter court dimensions and modified scoring all aimed at keeping young children as engaged as possible. QuickStart programs get progressively more involved through age 12 with both weekly and twice-weekly classes offered.

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

The Melrose High Strength and Conditioning Facility will be open and supervised each day with designated times for different genders and age groups beginning July 1.

Middle school students are invited Monday through Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. Female high school athletes are invited Monday through Thursday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. All high school athletes are invited Monday through Friday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. (closing at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays).

Fitness facility registration is required here.

FREE OPEN PARK

Melrose Recreation will be staffing counselors at Common Park June 24-27 and Monday through Thursday from July 8-25 from 9 a.m. to noon. The program is open to all ages and is free.

Park instructors will be available to play sports, organize games, run activities and set up arts and crafts projects. Guardians are required for any children under age 10.

Games include soccer for players as young as 2 and 3 years old, and story time and parachute with Kathy Harlow from the Family Resource Network on Wednesday mornings from 9:15 to 10.

More information on all of of these Melrose Recreation summer programs — and many more — can found here.