by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
This summer, children in the Sartell-St. Stephen area will have no excuse to complain “gee, there’s nothing to do.”
There’s plenty to do – and then some, as listed in the Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education Youth Recreation catalogue. There’s something for every age, every interest, every skill level – not just for youth but for older people, too.
“We’re excited about summer,” said Jina Schoenborn, youth coordinator for the program. “We’re looking to get a lot more kids into the programs. We have so much for kids – from art to robotics.”
Typically, more than 2,500 children participate in summer classes, activities and camps. Among the most popular are the day camps that combine lots of fun with learning and development of skills for children in grades K-6. The camps cover the gamut from arts to outdoor exploration, from storybook reading to T-ball, from cooking to science topics.
The camps are set up for a wide range of ages. There are camps for pre-school children, camps for grades K-6 and youth activities – day and evening – for every age group. The classes and activities include virtually every kind of sport, as well as swimming lessons.
For a complete catalog of spring-and-summer offerings, times and fees, go to www.sartell.k12.mn.us and then click on Community Education and click on where it says, in small blue print, “2017 Spring-Summer Catalog.” The entire catalog can be downloaded. There are scholarships available for children whose parents are on tight budgets. Registration can be done online.
Parents and children should register as soon as possible because most of the programs have limited space.
The following are just a few samples of the scores of offerings available:
T-Ball Blast Ball (ages 3-5)
Children will learn the basics, including base-running, hitting, catching and throwing. Gloves not required but welcome.
11-11:45 a.m. Monday, June 12 and same time Wednesday, June 28. Cost $27.
Second offering 11-11:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 11 and same time Thursday, July 27.
District Service Center ball field.
Sprouting Scientists Camp (ages 3-5)
Fun, safe and exciting science experiments for children.
9-10:30 a.m. Monday, June 19 and same time Thursday, June 22. Cost $35.
District Service Center, Room 209.
Kids in the Kitchen (grades K-6)
Popular every year, these cooking-camp sessions teach children how to make fun snacks, main dishes and delicious beverages using simple ingredients. All participants will be putting the recipes in their recipe books to take home.
9-11:30 a.m. Monday, July 17 and same time Thursday, July 20. Cost $50.
Sartell Middle School.
More Than Pink (grades 3-6)
This program inspires young girls to stay true to themselves and to live free from societal stereotypes. It’s a six-week program that weaves training for a 5K run with activities that empower girls and boost confidence. All athletic types are welcome. The girls will participate in the More Than Pink 5K Aug. 17 in Waconia as the culmination of all the girls have learned.
10 a.m.-noon Mondays and Wednesdays June 12 through July 26. No classes July 3 or July 7. Cost $75.
District Service Center.
Sew It! (grades 5-8)
Enrollees will learn the basics of sewing, and each student will be provided with fabrics at the time of registration.
9-11 a.m. Monday, June 12 and same time Thursday, June 15.
Sartell Middle School.
Police Activities League (ages 5-15)
This free popular summer program offers lots of activities such as relay races, kickball, water games, arts and crafts, barbecued foods and much more. It’s taught and supervised by members of the Sartell Police Department, along with staff from the Community Education Office.
No registration is required. Children can just show up.
6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays June 13 through July 20.
Val Smith Park.
Soccer (for elementary-aged boys and girls)
There are many sections of this perennially popular sports program sponsored by the Community Education Program along with the Sartell Soccer Association.
The classes start at various days in June, depending on which section children sign up for. The classes last through late July.
Costs range from $59-$65.
Venue: Soccer Hill between the high school and middle school.
Girls enjoy practicing soccer in a previous class during the Sartell-Stephen Community Education summer-rec program. Soccer is one of the most popular of the summer sports programs.
Jina Schoenborn, youth coordinator for the Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education youth recreation program.
