Summer Vacation with the Recreation Department

These days spring is in full swing. The days are getting longer, temperatures are quickly creeping up and trees and flowers are starting to bloom. It is the perfect time to simply relax and enjoy the new season, right?

Well, for parents and children alike spring may be beautiful but, more important, it is a sign that summer vacation is right around the corner.  Sure, we are all looking forward to the carefree and lazy days of summer but, reality is, nothing quite strikes fear in the hearts of parents as much as wondering what their children are going to do over vacation. 

Here in Wilmington, that worry can often be alleviated by a quick look at the spring “Recreation Matters” newsletter published by the Wilmington Recreation Department. With two pages dedicated to previewing the department’s summer programs for kids it is filled with ideas to make the summer a little less stressful for parents.

The biggest worry for parents is, of course, where their children will spend their days and the Recreation Department offers two long term programs that fit many family’s needs.

The first is the Tiny Tots/Kids Club program which takes place at the Boutwell Center for Early Education. The program consists of two sessions running from Monday, June 25, to Friday, July 13, and Monday, July 16, to Thursday, August 2, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

The program caters to “Tiny Tots" four and five years old and “Kids,” ages six to eight. The cost is $145 per session and includes arts and crafts, games, special events, daily themes and a field trip.

Registration takes place Monday, April 30, from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium and you can download the forms in advance at The Recreation Department website beginning Monday, April 9. A copy of your child’s birth certificate is required at the time of registration.   

In addition, volunteer applications for students grade nine and up will be available May 1 and accepted throughout the month.

Next on the list is the which, after a brief move to accommodate construction at the school last year, will be making its move back to for 2012. This program is available to students entering second through eighth grade and runs Monday through Friday from June 25–August 2. Hours are 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 

Playground Program consists of arts and crafts, games, sports, special events, free play and optional field trips.  The cost to register is $150 and signups begin on Wednesday, April 25, at the Recreation Department Office. 

In conjunction with the Playground Program is the Counselor in Training Program for students entering grade nine and above. The cost of the program is $25 and, if accepted, students will assist the playground staff in supervising and providing activities for the enrolled students. Applications are currently being accepted at The Recreation Department Office and will be available until April 30.

In addition to Tiny Tots/Kids Club and Playground Program, the Recreation Department has a number of week long Youth Sports Clinics which take place throughout the summer. These programs include Skyhawks Tiny Hawks, Skyhawks Mini Hawks, Skyhawks Cheerleading, Thundercat Kiddie Cat Jam, Thundercat Sports Jam and Challenger British Sports Camp. 

Each program is geared towards different ages and fees vary. More information is available at The Recreation Departments website. Registration is already underway and forms are available at the Recreation Department Office.  Please remember that, in order to complete registration for these youth sport programs, the child’s physical (within the past two years) and immunization records must be presented.

Another popular sport on the Recreation Department agenda is basketball. The Recreation Department offers two basketball programs; Shooting Stars and Twilight Hoops. Both take place at Shawsheen Elementary.

The first, Shooting Stars is available to kids entering grades three through five from July 10–August 16. Cost is $25 and includes instruction and weekly games. Girls play on Tuesdays and Boys on Thursdays.

The next program, Twilight Hoops, is for students entering grades six through eight and runs on Wednesday nights from 6–8 p.m. This program features a “drop in style” pickup program with supervision and referees. Cost is $15 with an additional $20 for new players to purchase a navy/white reversible jersey.

Preregistration is required for both programs and must be completed at The Recreation Department Office by June 7.

Youth sports wouldn’t be complete, of course, without tennis. Programs include ages groups of 5–7, 8–12, intermediate age 8-12 and even tennis for two, ages 4–5 along with a parent. The cost for the program is $25 and each participant is required to bring an unopened can of tennis balls to the first lesson. Lessons take place on the tennis courts and various sessions and time schedules are available. 

Brand new this summer is one program that Recreation Department Director Deborah Cipriani is especially excited about. 

“We are very happy to be offering 'Chefs in Training: Summer Sizzle' for the first time," she said.  "This program which will take place at Wilmington High School June 18–22, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m  is available to kids entering grades 3–6 and costs $240."

Students will spend the week learning to cook many New England favorites and, of course, be able to sample their work when it’s done. The program will stress local ingredients, help teach nutrition facts and focus on knife skills and safety.

In addition the Recreation Department offers a host of additional programs which include everything from Learn to Sail, Golf Clinics and Top secret Science and Math Fun. 

For more information about any of the programs offered through the Wilmington Recreation Department visit them online or at The Wilmington Town Hall, Room 8. Hours are Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. In addition be sure to continue checking the website for the upcoming May Flier which will include even more summer activities for children.