by Anna Erickson,
Staff Writer
Wadena Summer Recreation hopes to fill some voids this year with more programming for junior high kids.
"We're really trying to expand to the junior high group," said Pete Phillips, Summer Recreation Board president.
Other age groups will continue to be served with several new programs to be added to the old favorites.
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Sand volleyball will be offered to older elementary and junior high kids at Tapley Park, Phillips said. Also, Frisbee disc golf and ultimate Frisbee will be offered at Sunnybrook Park.
Summer rec is adding a basketball league for senior high boys and girls four nights a week. Kids can sign up individually or sign up with a team, Phillips said.
The traveling baseball and softball leagues are expanding to include more age groups. Students entering first through sixth grades can be part of a baseball or softball league this year. Last year, the league was for just third through sixth grades. Summer rec would like to get sponsors so kids can have a full uniform with a jersey, pants and a hat.
Another returning program is a baseball clinic offered by the Alexandria Beetles baseball team. And the playground program, which is at the southwest warming house, was a huge hit last year along with T-ball, Phillips said. Both programs will return this summer.
Other programs that will return are: sports exploratory, soccer, golf, flag football, tennis, basketball, and track and field.
The pool will be open again this year. Kids can take more than one swimming class level a year. The pool was a popular place to be last summer with an average of 128 people per day for open swim in June, an average of 142 people per day in July and an average of 115 people per day in August. Last summer, 226 kids were enrolled in swim classes.
And, the Wadena City Library will have summer reading programs. Theater camp will be available this summer again.
"We're trying to pump up everything," Phillips said. "Not just sports."
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The Wadena Community Center is jumping on the summer rec bandwagon as well. Street hockey and roller hockey will be available in the afternoon at the Community Center, Phillips said. Also, kids can lift weights in the summer to stay in shape in the off season.
Another new offering is a gymnastic camp that will be run by Charlie Fleck from Perham.
A brochure with 2007 summer rec activities will be sent home with kids in April, Phillips said.
He is excited about the new programs to be offered this summer and is excited to be working with several new people on the board.
The summer rec program has been rejuvenated in the last year due, in part, to a new board, Phillips said. Alicia Jones and Phillips are the only returning board members.
"A lot of the members have kids of the age and are rec-minded people," he said.
The summer recreation board includes Pete Phillips, Alicia Jones, John Moenkedick, Tim Bjorge, Lecia Parker, Stacey Torgerson and Beth Najjar. Doug Paulson is the summer rec director.
