CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The City of Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department Summer Youth Program will begin June 1 with the opening of program sites and will end July 10. This year’s theme is “Blast from the Past!”
The Summer Youth Program is a six-week day camp-type program that is offered each summer to youths, ages 6-16. Gyms at various locations are staffed with directors and assistants, who will help with playtime activities and provide free, instructional classes such as dance and karate.
Parents can register their children for dance and karate classes onsite during registration for the Summer Youth Program. Youth are sure to have fun and enjoy these classes that are offered free of charge.
School gymnasiums are modified to a “community center” setting with daily table games, tournaments, arts and crafts, and other special activities. Parental permission is required for participation in the Summer Youth Program.
Burt-Cobb, Crow, and Kleeman Community Centers along with Summit Heights, Caldwell Land, and Liberty, Byrns-Darden, Hazelwood, Barksdale, Burt, Northeast, and West Creek elementary school will host Summer Youth Program sites for ages 6-12. Teens ages 13-16 can enjoy their own “teen only” sites at New Providence Middle School, Moore Elementary School, and Northeast Middle School. Teens can also participate in weekly field trips for a fee of $15/person. All sites are open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Children must be picked up prior to closing.
Registration for the Burt-Cobb, Crow, and Kleeman Center will begin on Tuesday, May 26 while the remaining sites will begin registration on Friday, May 29. Parents should bear in mind that registration is first-come-first-serve and some sites fill up very quickly.
The Summer Youth Program participates in the USDA Summer Lunch Program, which provides each child attending the program a nutritious lunch daily and free of charge.
Youth enrolled in the Summer Youth Program can participate in free swim days that are offered each Friday during the program. Each site has a designated a pool where children can swim free for two hours each Friday morning. Details for free swimming will be available at each site. There is no charge for this activity, but free swim does require parent’s permission. Transportation to the pool is provided from the gym sites.
Additionally, a six-week tennis instruction session is offered for ages 6-16. Pre-registration and parent’s permission is required, but the lessons are free. The sessions will be held June 1 through July 10 and you can pre-register at the Swan Lake Tennis Complex from 9-11 a.m. on Friday, May 29.
Another program offered in which pre-registration is a requirement, is the six-week theatre workshop offered by The Roxy Regional Theatre. Beginning June 1, young people will learn the fundamentals of acting and even participate in a theatre performance on July 9 at the Roxy from 1 to 3 p.m. The program is offered to ages 10-16. Program spaces are limited, so hurry in to register. Registration will require a $30 fee, which can be paid at the Parks and Recreation Office or online at recpro.cityofclarksville.com beginning Tuesday, May 26.
After previous years’ popularity, an Archery class will once again be offered June 15 through 19 for ages 10-16 at Billy Dunlop Park. The Beginner class will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. and the Advanced class will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost for the week-long class is $20 per person. Registration begins May 26 at the Parks & Recreation Main Office or online at recpro.cityofclarksville.com.
Summer Youth Program also offers the American Twisters Tumbling camp. Campers ages 6-16 can learn to roll, flip and turn with instructor Kellie Olson, June 8-11, July 6-9, or July 13-16 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at American Twisters Tumbling, located at 438 Kelly Lane. Cost of the camp is $40 per child.
For more details on the Summer Youth Program or other programs, please contact the Clarksville Parks and Recreation at 931-645-7476 or visit www.cityofclarksville.com.