Whether you prefer working up a sweat on the court, concocting delicious dishes in the kitchen or taking a relaxing stroll through the woods, the parks and recreation department will be offering community members of all ages ways to stay active, connected and engaged this summer.
In past years, Parks and Recreation offered near daily activities for kids, but this year, due to staffing issues, the programming will be more spread out.
“What we’re going to do, rather, is sprinkle in activities,” explained Devyn Johnson, recreation and aquatic coordinator. There will be a cheer camp, wrestling camp and youth volleyball camp, along with more informal activities like scavenger hunts, cooking classes, art classes, kickball and a fun run.
The beloved “Touch a Truck” event will return June 17, giving kids an opportunity to climb around on a garbage truck or honk a cop car’s horn. In addition to the usual selection of vehicles, this year the event will feature a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter for the first time ever.
“We want to keep the kiddos busy and the community busy and having fun and trying new things out,” Johnson said.
The summer programming is not yet set in stone — activities could be added, subtracted or switched around depending on staff and volunteer availability. “Ultimately, it’ll come down to volunteers,” said Johnson. “The more volunteers we can get, the more we can offer. Folks that have skills and passions that they want to share — we’re really hoping to invite them to team up with us.”
The department is open to community member ideas and encourages people to get involved. The jump rope open gym, for example, was dreamed up by a community member who enjoys the sport and wanted to share her skills with Wrangell youth. The activity is tentatively scheduled for June 21 and July 18.
“We’re open to anyone, all ideas,” said Johnson. “It’s pretty reliant on volunteers who are passionate about what they do.”
Johnson also plans to sprinkle in weekly walking, hiking, running and “rucking” sessions for adults throughout the summer. Rucking is a form of low-intensity exercise that involves walking while carrying weight on your back. The first of these sessions was last weekend. The next will be a Mount Dewey hike at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, community members are also invited to complete the “Murph” workout at 7 a.m. at the Evergreen Elementary covered playground. The workout is named after U.S. Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, who died in 2005 while serving in Afghanistan. He was the first service member to receive the Medal of Honor for service in Afghanistan.
The workout involves a one-mile run, followed by 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and another one-mile run. “People all around the world do it,” said Johnson. “He risked his life to save his fellow folks in combat.”
Volunteering with Parks and Recreation’s summer programs is only a phone call away at 907-874-2444.
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