5 Fun Somerville Recreation Department Summer Programs

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville Parks & Recreation Program Developer George Scarpelli views the revamped Parks Program as a bandwagon that grows at each stop across the city. From the first week of the traveling program at Hodgkins-Curtin Park, to the final stop at Trum Field, the numbers build as attendees returning greet new faces in each neighborhood visited.

"We might have 20 kids the first week and then the next week we have 15 of those kids back with 20 more," Scarpelli said. "By the end of the summer, we have a large group that has followed the program around the community. Nowadays, nobody walks down to a city park. So you have parents dropping off their children to experience different parts of the community. It's very popular."

Scarpelli said the traveling program allows Somerville Parks & Recreation to fully staff each week with interactive arts and crafts projects, board games and special events. It is free and runs 9 a.m. to noon each weekday. Week 2 — this week — is at Foss Park, Week 3 is at Lincoln Park, Week 4 is at Albion Park, Week 5 is at Grimmons Park with the program wrapping up Aug. 9 at Trum Field.

"In the old days you would try to staff all the parks at once and have maybe one or two instructors at every park," Scarpelli said. "What happens then is there is no accountability and you have people seeing a boy or girl in a red (Somerville Recreation) shirt sitting under a tree getting paid. Now each week we send staff out into each neighborhood of our next park, putting up fliers that we’ll be there next week, and that they’ll be this free program. People love the idea."

The Parks Program is one of dozens Somerville offers during this summer that Scarpelli said still have openings. Here are five that will keep children busy, get them in shape or teach them something new during school vacation.

SUMMERTIME DAY PROGRAM

The West Somerville Neighborhood School is open weekdays through Aug. 16 for children ages 5 through 13 for the department’s anchor program. Daily activities include swimming, specialized arts activities and weekly field trips.

The full-day program runs 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with breakfast and lunch served each day. Weekly registration is $150.

CANOE ON THE MYSTIC

Both Intro and Advanced programs are offered in weekly sessions from July 1 to Aug. 9 at the Blessing of the Bay Boat House. The Intro to Canoe Program is for ages 5 to 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Advanced Canoe Program runs 1 to 4 p.m. for ages 8 through 16 who have completed the introductory program.

"It’s an unbelievable program," Scarpelli said. "They start off with a swim test at the beginning of the week and by the end of the week they are maneuvering down the river and back with an instructor there for guidance."

JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY

The Somerville Police Department hosts this free program for boys and girls ages 11 to 14 at the East Somerville Community School. The academy features training situations that include classroom learning, lessons on police tactics and physical training. At the end of the session, the Somerville cadets will travel to Everett Stadium for a competition against cadets from Everett and Malden.

The program runs sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. will Session 1 July 8-12 and Session 2 Aug. 5-9.

SPEED & CONDITIONING

The Senior Conditioning Program is designed to get boys and girls ready for the fall season through aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The program is held on Wednesday nights from July 10 through Aug. 14 for boys and girls ages 13 to 18.

“That’s always a hit,” Scarpelli said.

SWIM AT DILBOY POOL

Swimming lessons and adult swim are offered at Dilboy Pool. Beginner lessons are offered for ages 3 through 6 from 9 to 10 a.m. Intermediate lessons for ages 6 to 10 are 10 to 11 a.m. There is also and adult lap swim from 7 to 9 a.m. each weekday for those 18-plus.

Lessons are offered in week-long sessions.

Check out the Somerville Parks & Recreation Summer Guide for more information on all of the city’s programs.