Registration is now open for Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s 2014 “Fit2Play” summer camps.
Managed by recreation professionals and conveniently located at 31 parks throughout the county from June 9 through August 15, camps will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and offer 7:30 a.m. early drop-off and 6 p.m. late pick-up options.
At $40 to $90 per week, the General Camps are for children ages 6 to 14. Financial assistance and scholarships are available to those who qualify. General Camps are fully supervised while children enjoy a full recreational schedule with fitness activities, sports, arts and crafts, nature encounters, quiet games and field trips.
Miami-Dade Parks has teamed up with partner sponsors, the University of Miami Health System (UHealth), the UM Miller School of Medicine, and The Children’s Trust, to provide the “Fit2Play” program. Children will learn the fundamentals of living a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, fitness and exercise, as well as safety and prevention.
In addition, children will learn about the health benefits of “going green” as they discover that a healthy planet is essential for a healthy life by learning the basics of recycling, water conservation and other eco-friendly behaviors.
Each day’s session also includes Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) activities. SPARK, an evidence-based, outcome-oriented active recreation component of the “Fit2Play” program, is designed to develop and improve motor skills, movement knowledge, and social and personal skills.
With parental permission, Miami-Dade Parks will track and measure key health indicators in participants, including blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI), assisting parents and children to make informed decisions about their fitness and nutrition needs.
Most of the camps offer rolling registration so parents can enroll their child for one week or for several weeks at any time throughout the summer, but they must register at least one week prior to the desired start date, in some cases.
In the Miami Lakes and northwest Miami-Dade area, a “Fit2Play” camp program will be offered by Country Village Park, 6550 N.W. 188 Terrace. For information and registration, call 305-622-2594. Registration is also available online at http://bit.ly/fit2play14.
Learn-to-Swim Program:
Miami-Dade Parks’ Learn-to-Swim classes are taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety instructors and include class levels of Parent and Tot (ages 2-5), levels 1-6 (ages 6-18, and adults.
In the Miami Lakes area, Learn-to-Swim classes will be offered at the Palm Springs North Pool, 7901 N.W. 176 Street. For information, call 305-558-3762.
Junior Golf Camp:
A Junior Golf Camp will be offered by the Country Club of Miami from June 9 through August 15 for ages 8 to 15 under the direction of resident instructor and PGA professional Larry Levow.
Camp is held Monday to Friday with full-day sessions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and half-day sessions from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $225 per week for full-day and $175 per week for half-day sessions which include instructor, golf clubs, practice balls, and short course play.
Country Club of Miami is located at 6801 N.W. 168 Street. For information, call 305-828-8456, or visit www.floridagolflessons.com.