March 9, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer
The Hingham Recreation Department is gearing up for this year's exciting summer programs, including activities for children and teens ages three to grade nine -- all with COVID-19 health and safety measures in place.
The current plan for six different offerings is contingent on the state's COVID-19 restrictions and protocols that are in effect at that time.
"We're taking an optimistic view of our scheduled programs at this time," Hingham Recreation Department Director Mark Thorell told the Hingham Anchor. "It all depends where we are with COVID-19 guidance at that time, but our goal is to offer in-person summer programs for different ages. Plans are subject to change."
Hingham Rec has already received 85 to 90 job applications for the summer program and another 20 to 25 counselor-in-training applications, in addition to 20 applications from interested lifeguards (Hingham Rec manages the lifeguards at the Bathing Beach).
"Our biggest goal is to bring kids together to have a good time and to socialize -- which has been very difficult for them to do during the past year -- while at the same time offering an environment that is both fun and safe, with health and safety protocols in place," Thorell said.
Last year's summer program was a big success. "We enrolled 1,400 kids, with zero COVID-19 issues," he said.
At this time, Hingham Rec has plans to offer:
- Half- and full-day pre-school programs, ages 3 to 5, featuring arts and crafts, outdoor games, water play, scavenger hunts, specialty workshops, and creative theme days.
- Fun Time, ages 6 to 12, providing an opportunity to make new friends, enjoy old ones, and to learn new games and activities, improve social skills, and feel a sense of belonging. Participants will have exclusive access to all the Rec Department's fields and facilities -- including an indoor basketball gym, soccer field, volleyball court, in-line skate rink, two baseball fields, and the best playground in town. Special guest entertainers will perform on some Fridays.
- Adventure Club, a new program for children entering grades 4 and 5, offering the best blend of the classic Fun Time experience mixed with some field trips and outings to prepare kids for Teen Xtreme.
- Sports Experience, grades 2 through 8 -- at Plymouth River School, featuring tennis and other sports and field games, with a focus on bringing the fundamentals of classic sports such as lacrosse, soccer, and volleyball into daily games, clinics, and activities.
- Parkland, a new program for ages 8 to 12, highlighting some of the best outdoor spaces Hingham has to offer -- a week of outdoor exploration, adventure, and challenge at Bare Cove and Wompatuck State parks and World's End.
- Teen Xtreme, Hingham Rec's longest-running summer program for teens entering grades 6 to 9, featuring fun-filled activities, trips, Xtreme activities, and more.
"The state will update the standards for summer camps closer to the time, and we will closely adhere to whatever the protocols are at that time," Thorell said.
Check https://www.hingham-ma.gov/
Online registration only will begin Wednesday, March 17, at 10 a.m.