OCEAN CITY- With the calendar getting ready to flip over to September next week, the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department is getting ready to launch several new programs for youth.
Beginning next week, the department will offer two separate programs to introduce youngsters to the sport of lacrosse. Both programs will be held on the West Lagoon Field at Northside Park. The Lil’ Stickers program is a parent-child interactive program. Alongside parents, rec department staff will teach children basic motor skills and help them prepare for organized lacrosse. The program is open to children ages 4-5 and it will be held on Thursday evenings starting next week through October 9 from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The fall lacrosse clinic is now a co-rec opportunity that will teach both boys and girls in the basics of lacrosse through a variety of fun drills and games. The program is open to children from kindergarten through second grade. It will also be held on Thursday evenings from September 4 to October 9 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. The department is currently taking registration for both programs. The cost of each program is $28 for Ocean City residents and $38 for non-residents. For more information, contact Kim Kinsey at (410) 520-5167 or [email protected].
In another program set to launch next month, the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department is partnering with the Delaware Volleyball Academy to offer two six-week programs. The co-rec clinic is open to kids in 4th to 9th grades and will run on Sundays this fall.
Young athletes can expect to learn motor skills, hand-eye coordination, conditioning and the fundamentals of volleyball including serving, passing, defense, hitting and serve-receive for the older groups. It will be held on Sundays at Northside Park. The first fall section will run from September 14 to October 19. Children in 4th to 6th grades will play from 4-5 p.m., while kids in 7th to 9th grades will play from 5-6 p.m.
The cost is $45 for Ocean City residents and $55 for non-residents. A second fall session of the clinic will be offered from October 26 through December 7. For questions or more information, contact Lynda Brittingham at (410) 520-5180 or [email protected].
In addition, the recreation department this week announced an increase in the number of dance programs being offered to area youth. Dance instructor Renee Wright, a former teacher from Prince George’s County with over 20 years of experience, will lead the programs. Both fall and winter programs are being offered for a variety of ages and experience levels.
For example, an “Intro Beginner” class is being offered for children who have never taken a dance class before and would like to try ballet, tap and jazz. The program is open to kids entering pre-K to entering 6th grade. It will be held in two sections including 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. for pre-K to second grade, and 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. for kids in grades 3-6. Classes will be held at Northside Park on Tuesdays from September 16 through November 18.
A “Level 2 Advanced Beginner” class will instruct students in ballet, tap and jazz and is open to kids who have completed Level 1 for one year and who are in grades 3-6. The class will be held at Northside Park on Mondays from September 15 until November 17. The cost for both dance programs is $28 for residents and $38 for non-residents. Anyone with questions can contact Lynda Brittingham using the above contact information.
These programs are just a few of the more than 100 classes, programs, activities and events offered by the OCRP to both residents and visitors. A complete guide can be found at www.oceancitymd.gov under Recreation and Parks/Recreation Programs.