Summer rec camps for kids, pool hours and adult programs

The Chester Recreation Department is offering a variety of summer camps, workshops and classes for all ages. Sign up at Chester Town Hall, 556 Elm Street,  Monday through Friday from  8 a.m. to 4 p.m

Camp location addresses are at the end of this list.

• GREEN MOUNTAIN SPORTS and FITNESS CAMP: Offered for children ages 7 to 12, camp director Scott Renfro incorporates multiple sports as well as nutrition knowledge into a week full of fun and activity. The camp will be held at Green Mountain Union High School’s gym. Participants should bring a snack and a drink. DATE: June 24-28 TIME: 9 a.m. to noon FEE: $50

• START SMART CAMP: This camp designed to introduce young children to the fundamentals of a variety of sports that may include soccer; basketball and baseball will be held at GMUHS’s cafeteria. Campers will learn a new sport each day and experiment in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. Recommended for children ages 3–5 (not yet in kindergarten.) DATE: Monday, Wednesday and Friday June 24, 26 and 28 TIME: 10–11 a.m.  FEE: $10

• DANCE CAMP: This camp is for children entering grades 3–6. Camp director Ashley Hensel-Browning explores modern, jazz and hip–hop dance. This is a high-energy camp that will expose kids to new dances and encourage them to create their own dance. The camp will be held at Chester-Andover Elementary School.  DATES: July 8-12  TIMES: 9–10 a.m. FEE: $35

• SPORTS FOR SQUIRTS: This camp is for children entering kindergarten through 2nd grade. This day program is designed to introduce the fundamentals of a variety of sports that may include soccer, basketball, baseball and football. Each day the children will play a different sport. Children will experiment in a fun non-competitive atmosphere. All necessary equipment except for baseball gloves will be provided. The camp will be held at The Pinnacle Recreation Area. DATE: Monday, July 8 through Thursday, July 11 TIME: 10:30–11:30 a.m. FEE: $20

• BOYS’ BASKETBALL CAMP: This camp is for boys in grades 3–8. The camp will be held at Green Mountain Union High School and will be directed by Varsity Coach Brian Rappanotti, JV Coach Matt McCarthy and some varsity players. The camp will teach kids the basic fundamentals of basketball using tips and techniques to develop and enhance their basketball skills and knowledge. It will include fun games and contests. DATES: July 8 through 12 TIMES: 5–7 p.m. FEE: $35 (includes a T-shirt)

• GIRLS’ BASKETBALL CAMP: Varsity GMUHS coach Chris Wood will be conducting a girls’ basketball camp. During the camp the girls will work on fundamentals of the game as well as have foul shooting contests,  a three-on-three tournament and actual games. DATES: July 15–19 TIMES: Grades 1–4 will be 4–6 p.m. Grades 5–8 will be 6–8 p.m. at GMUHS. FEE: $35 (includes a T-shirt)

• TAE KWON DO CAMP: Campers will build self-confidence, discipline and coordination while having fun doing a variety of blocks, kicks and strikes in a controlled and professional atmosphere. This camp is for children grades K–8. The camp will be held at CAES and is run by Master Huzon Alexander, owner of Alexander’s Martial Arts Center. Visit www.alexandersma.com for more information. DATES: July 22 through 26 TIMES: 9–10 a.m. FEE: $35

• BASEBALL/SOFTBALL CAMP: These popular camps return for children entering 3rd to 6th grade. Megan Farrell returns to lead campers in these workshops that will stress the fundamentals of hitting, pitching and fielding at the Chester Little League fields at The Pinnacle Recreation Area.  DATES: July 22 through 26 TIMES: 10:30 a.m.–noon

• O.W.L.S. (Outdoor Wilderness Learning and Survival) ADVENTURE WEEK: Campers will join instructor Jamie Maloof to go on adventures, play games and learn survival techniques. They will be presented with the challenges of building shelters, constructing fires, tracking animals, identifying and eating wild plants and making tools. The experience will heighten campers’ awareness, confidence and respect for nature. The camp will be held at The Pinnacle Recreation Area. Dress appropriately and bring bug spray, sunblock and water. Minimum age is 7 years old by the start of the camp. DATES: July 29 through Aug. 2  TIMES: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. FEE: $40 (Minimum of 10 kids)

• SOCCER CAMP: This camp is for children in grades 1–6. Camp directors will offer instruction in soccer skills, drills and scrimmages. Participants should bring shin guards, cleats (or sneakers if no cleats are available) and a soccer ball. (A limited number of soccer balls will be available if needed.) DATES: Aug. 12 though 16 TIMES: 9 a.m.–noon at GMUHS Varsity soccer field FEE: $50 (includes a T-shirt)

• VERMONT VOLTAGE PRE-SEASON SOCCER CAMP: This camp will be run for young adults entering 7th grade though 12th grade at GMUHS. Vermont Voltage Soccer Club created this camp together with high school coaches from Vermont and New York The Pro Pre-Season Camp will focus on individual skills, fitness, team play and coordination. Players will be exposed to top college players, professional players, as well as the professional coaching staff of the Vermont Voltage DATES: Aug. 12 through 16 TIMES: 5–8 p.m. at GMUHS Varsity soccer field. FEE: $125. For more information: http://www.voltagesportsclub.com/Rotator/HighSchoolCamp.html

• GOLF CAMP: There will be two golf camps this summer that will take place at Tater Hill Country Club. DATES: 1st camp: July 22 through 26; 2nd camp: Aug. 5 through 9 TIMES: 8–11 a.m. FEE: $30

• TENNIS CAMP: TBA

• TOWN OF CHESTER POOL INFORMATION:

Pool use is free for Chester/Andover residents (someone who lives or pays property taxes in the towns of Chester or Andover) during hours of operation. Non-resident family pool passes may be purchased for $100 from Chester Town Hall. ID must be shown to lifeguard before entering the pool area. Daily rate for non-residents is $4 per person.

POOL HOURS: Monday to Friday:
Adult Swim: 9–10 a.m. and every 15 minutes before the hour; Swim Lessons: 10 a.m.–noon; Open Swim: noon–8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday:
Open Swim: noon–5 p.m.; Adult Swim: 5–6 p.m.

NOTE: Children under the age of 10 in the pool area must be accompanied by an adult.

• SWIM LESSONS: There will be 3 two-week sessions—each comprised of 10 lessons. A variety of Red Cross certified swim level lessons will be offered including: Stroke Development and Proficiency and Advanced Skills, as well as others. FEE: $25 per session. Registration takes place at the pool.

Session I: June 24 through July 5 (Registration begins Friday June 21 through Sunday June 23)

Session II: July 8 through July 19 (Registration begins Friday July 5 through Sunday, July 7)

Session III: July 22 through Aug. 2 (Registration begins Friday July 19–Sunday, July 21)

Levels 1, 2, and 3: 10–10:30 a.m.

Levels 1, 2, and 4: 10:30–11 a.m.

Levels 1, 3, and 5: 11–11:30 a.m.

Levels 4, 5, and 6: 11:30 a.m.–noon

These time blocks are subject to change depending on number of sign-ups. Swimmers may have to move to another time slot if not enough participants.

Other recreation classes and information

• HIP–HOP DANCE: Kyla Beardsley, owner of Star Dancer Studios in Newport, N.H. will run a 6 week hip-hop style dance class for grades 2–6. It will be held from 3–3:45 p.m. on Thursdays May 2 through June 6. The cost will be $40. Pre-registration of a minimum of 8 students necessary for the class to be held.

ADULT CLASSES

• ZUMBA: Licensed Zumba instructor, Alysia Redfield will continue Zumba classes 9:15–10 a.m., Saturday mornings at Chester Town Hall through June. Zumba is fitness dance with Latin moves. No dance experience necessary. Cost is $55 for a 10 class punch card or a $7 drop in fee. For more information call 885-6540.

• WEST COAST SWING DANCE: Private and group lessons offered from 8:30–11 p.m. every second Saturday of the month now through August at Chester Town Hall. FEE: $20 for a lesson and dance. For more information visit website: http://www.vermontwestcoastswing.net/

• ADULT VOLLEYBALL: An adult co-ed volleyball league will be organized for those 15 and older at the Mackenzie Fields in Chester. Those under 18 must have a parent sign a consent form. A meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at Mackenzie Fields for those who would like to learn more about the league. Teams must have at least one female or one male playing. Please call Scott Kendall at (802) 384-1983 for more information.

For more information contact Chester Recreation Department director Matt McCarthy by calling 875–3603 or e-mail: recreationinchester@yahoo.com or visit the website: http://recreationinchester.webs.com/summercamps.htm.

The addresses for the camp and class locations:

Chester Town Hall, 556 Elm St.

Chester-Andover Elementary School, 72 Main St.

Green Mountain Union High School, 716 VT Route 103 South

The Pinnacle Recreation Area, Lovers Lane

— Susan Lampe-Wilson