Swim, score and learn with summer recreation programs
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Got a kid who’s out of school and bouncing off the walls? Try enrolling them in some fun summer activities offered by Darlington County Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the City of Darlington. Whether your child’s interest lies in team sports, art, dance, cheering or swimming, the Rec and the City have got you covered.
Darlington Area athletic director Brantley Jett says there are a number of sports camps available that will provide young players with learning opportunities.
“We are really trying to push the camps that we’re running through the high school,” says Jett.
“We’ve partnered with Darlington High School this year to run all of our athletic camps. It’s a project called ‘One Darlington’ and the goal is to bridge the gap between recreation league and high school athletics.”
Jett has teamed with DHS athletic director Michael Jordan to organize various camps, which will be run and taught by Falcons coaches. These “One Darlington” camps include soccer, volleyball, basketball and football.
“It will give the kids some valuable interaction with high school coaches, and will give the coaches a chance to meet and learn about these kids who might be playing for them someday,” says Jett.
Available Summer Camps include:
Summer Basketball League – Ages 7 to 16 – Register by June 13 – Cost $25
DHS Cheer Camp – Ages 4 and older – June 10 through June 14 at the A.W. Stanley Gym
Dance Camp – Ages 3 to 10 – June 11 through June 17 – Register with Patsy Hathcock 843-393-4766
DHS Football Camp – Ages 7 to 14 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 24 through June 27 – Register by June 20
DHS Soccer Camp – Ages 5 to rising 8th graders – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 24 through June 27 – Register by June 20
Volleyball Camp – Ages 7 to 11 – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 17 through June 20 – Register by June 14
SC 4-H Summer Camp at Camp Long in Aiken June 16 at 3pm – June 20 at 1pm $280 for current 4-Hers, $290 for non-members (military discount available) Ages 7-14. Limited space. Deadline May 31.
Topics include leadership, science, and healthy lifestyles plus swimming, canoeing, high adventure elements, nature hikes, team sports, shooting sports, games, skits, campfires, dance, and talent show. A limited number of scholarships for first-time campers who meet financial need requirements are available. For more information or to register for camp, contact the Darlington County 4-H office at 843-393-0484 ext. 116.
South Carolina 4-H will offer a Summer Camp at Camp Cooper in Summerton July 21 at 3 p.m. – July 25 at 1 p.m. Cost is $290 for current 4-H members and $300 for non-members (a military discount is available) The camp is open to kids age 7-14. Space is limited and enrollment ends July 5. Topics include agriculture, horses, and natural resources plus swimming, canoeing, high adventure elements, natural resources. A limited number of scholarships for first-time campers who meet financial need requirements are available. For more information or to register for camp, contact the Darlington County 4-H office at 843-393-0484 ext. 116.
The City of Darlington will offer free swimming lessons June 25 through June 27 (with Friday as a rain date), from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Gandy Pool. These lessons are sponsored by the City of Darlington, and are open to swimmers age 5 to 18.
The three-day swim lesson uses trained volunteers to help students learn swimming techniques, beginning with basics like holding your breath underwater, and gradually moving up to more advanced deep water swim tests. For more information on these lessons, call Lillian Brunson at 843-393-7233.
The Gandy Pool opens for the season on Wednesday, June 12. Weekly hours of operation will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting, on Tuesdays through Saturdays. The pool is located at 115 Gary Street, and the cost is $1 to swim for the day.
Other summer recreation activities scheduled at the A.W. “Man” Stanley Gym (100 Magnolia Street) include day camps for younger kids, offering free play days and educational-themed activities.
Mondays – Math, Reading & Writing – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesdays – Kickball, Soccer, Arts & Crafts – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Wednesdays – Math, Reading & Writing – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Thursdays – Educational and Inspirational Speakers – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Fridays – Movie Day at Harmon Baldwin Recreation Center – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Children will need to turn in a signed permission slip two days prior to ride the bus from A.W. Stanley to go to the rec center.
Daily – Basketball Free Play – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for ages 14 and older
Harmon Baldwin Recreation Center – 300 Sanders St. (HBC)
Mondays – Organized Free Play – Dodgeball, Volleyball, Arts & Crafts, Board Games – 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesdays – Basketball Free Play – 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for ages 13 and younger
Wednesdays – Organized Free Play – Dodgeball, Volleyball, Arts & Crafts, Board Games – 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays – Basketball Free Play – 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for ages 13 and younger
Fridays – Movie Day – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Snack packs available for purchase ($2)
For more information, call 843-398-4030 or visit Darlington County Parks, Recreation and Tourism on Facebook.
