Parks and Rec offers activities for summer

Summer is just around the corner for Tecumseh families, and the parks and recreation department has plenty to keep everyone in the family active and happy during the warmest months of the year.Classes have been in session for Tot Baseball for ages five and six as well as tennis for players age 10 and under. Next up is tennis for those between the ages of 11 and 14. Parents can still register their middle school-aged tennis players for the six-week program that begins on Tuesday, June 24.“It’s a pretty flexible program because we’re not traveling,” said Gail Lakatos of Tecumseh Parks and Recreation Department.Summer means a break for evening fitness programs, but anyone wanting to continue summer workouts can break a sweat with morning classes in Zumba and yoga. Walk-in programs for walking and youth gym continue through the summer as well.“Pickle Ball has been very popular,” Lakatos said. “We have extra equipment. Anybody can come in and give it a try.”Pickle Ball is for people ages age 16 and older. According to Lakatos, Monday nights for pickle ball tend to draw a younger crowd with Wednesday morning a popular time for older players.While open gym is everyday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., if the AJ Smith Recreation Center is open, people are welcome to stop in and see if there is space available for a workout or play.“If we have enough staff, we don’t turn anyone away,” said Lakatos.Skateboarders who are 17 and older should be sure to show up at Satterthwaite Park on Saturday, June 28, for the skateboard competition . Registration for the competition begins at 10 a.m. with competition starting at 10:45 a.m.“It’s a free event,” Lakatos said.Parents and children alike will appreciate the line-up of summer Kid Fun Camps for 2014. Whether selecting a two-hour camp or a two-day camp, children between age five and 12 will have a good time with the variety of activities offered through the parks and recreation department.Lakatos is expecting the “Frozen” Camp on July 30 and the Dino Dig two-day camp July 31 and Aug. 1 to be the big hits of the summer, but the other Kid Fun Camps are winners, too. The camps this year include a 4th of July camp, Trail Walk, Kite Camp, Find a Treasure, Afternoon Adventures, Pirate Camp, Tie Dye Camp, Tourist in your Own Town, Waterpalooza, Gym Games, and Ocean Camp.What is summer without the crack of a bat? Jackie Barley, former Tecumseh High School graduate and part of back-to-back state championship softball teams is leading two softball/baseball camps for ages seven to nine and ages 10 to 12 that will focus of the fundamentals of softball and baseball, July 14 to July 17 at Aden Mead Park on Occidental. Campers will receive some one-on-one instruction to improve offensive and defensive skills.No experience is necessary to enjoy the camp. Children will be divided by skill/experience and age. Soccer lovers have the chance to work with Scott Oliver and the Siena Heights University women’s soccer team Aug. 4 through Aug. 7 at Cal Zorn Park on Russell Road. Boys and girls will learn how to be better soccer players, improving their skills while having fun.Children ages five through seven and ages eight through 11 will enjoy games, contests, as well as running stations and drills.Basketball Camp runs from Aug. 11 through Aug. 14 at the AJ Smith Recreation Center on Evans St., with two age groups, ages six through eight and ages nine through 11. The focus is on learning the basics of basketball, and is designed for beginners and experienced players. Coaches and former players will guide students to be better players. Every day will be filled with drills, game time and scrimmages.Camps finish up with the August session of Tot Baseball. Three and four-year-olds have a chance to learn all the basics of baseball.Every Monday and Wednesday, Tecumseh tots can learn how to bat, catch, field and throw at Cal Zorn Park on Russell Rd. Tot Baseball starts Aug. 4 and ends Aug. 13.Registration can be done in the office or online. Before going online to register, families need to come in to the AJ Recreation Center to get set up in the RecDesk system.For more information visit their website at www.mytecumseh.org or call 423.5602.