Summer is officially here, and that means it’s time for fun.{{more}} After taking the time to learn and fully understand all of the events, activities, and services Orange Connecticut’s own Park and Recreational Department offers, it would appear that children and teens alike should enjoy themselves this summer, as there are plenty of different activities such as camps, swimming, and many other events for children of all ages.
Recently, The Orange Times had the opportunity to sit down and speak with the director of the Orange Park and Recreation Department, Dan Lynch.
According to Lynch, for sports lovers, there are the SkyHawk camps, which play a wide variety of sports. The SkyHawk’s Mini-Hawks is for younger children ages 4 to 7, and SkyHawk’s Multi-Sports is for children ages 7 to 12. Future Stars Basketball Academy is sure to thrill young basketball enthusiasts, offering detailed lessons and equipment by those who are experienced with the sport. There is also Future Stars Cheerleading for girls ages 6 to 10, which meets at the Amity Middle School Gym.
Of course there’s the standard mini and day camps located at the High Plains Community Center. The Mini Camp is specifically for younger children of ages 3 to those nearing the end of the 3rd grade, and the Day Camp is for children’s ages ranging from Kindergarten to fifth grade.
“Campers will experience group interactivity amongs a wide variety of both creative and physical activities, such as nature walks, arts and crafts, curious creatures (an educational program that features actual animals), and sports” said Lynch.
When asked Lynch listed the most popular summer service they offered.
“The most popular summer children’s course is probably Travelin Teens, which is offered for kids ages 10 and up. It’s constantly filling up,” he said.
As the name suggests, Travelin Teens offers a camp that is focused towards traveling and adventure. It presents children with the opportunity to visit several exciting locales such as King’s Dominion, Ocean City, Medieval Times, and several others. Some of the many activities may include rock climbing, river rafting, paintball, and many others. Travelin Teens strives to do all of this in a safe, well-supervised environment with trained professionals who encourage children to push themselves, while also recognizing the importance of team work.
Aside from the camps, Lynch stressed they also offer a staggering amount of swimming related services. “We offer water safety lessons, CPR, and basic swimming lessons. They’re available year round for both younger and older crowds. The courses are popular, and have been very well received.” These courses are also managed by professionals and are offered throughout the week.
The Park and Recreation Department will also be presenting its annual fireworks display on Saturday, July 6 at the Gazebo in the High Plains Community Center. And back due to popular demand, the British Invasion Tribute band will once again be taking the stage to entertain the audience until the show starts.
Aside from that, there’s also the annual fireman’s carnival, which guarantees to provide family fun for everyone, and put a smile on your face. From camps to carnivals, the Orange Park and Recreation Department is striving to provide enough content to make sure there’s variety and excitement in every child’s summer.