Summer fun for kids

Looking for fun this summer? The Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department will be offering programs in the morning and the afternoon for children who have just completed kindergarten through completing fifth grade.

Although the SPARK program participation is free, all other programs have a registration fee. Pre-registration is required for all programs to ensure a minimum number of youth are needed to hold these programs.

The SPARK program runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays beginning June 8. The program will provide a time for children to play at the pool, learn new games, and create works of art.

The department is offering a new program this year called Fun in the Sun, which will emphasize the importance of staying fit while exploring different themes. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning June 9th.

Following each of these programs, during the lunch hour, the parks and recreation department will be hosting a program called Lunch Bunch. The program will provide a space for children to eat with supervision, table games, and discussions on different ways to live a healthy lifestyle.

In the afternoons, they've created a new program called Explore It! Every afternoon Monday through Friday beginning June 8th, from 1:00-4:30 p.m., participants will be given the opportunity to explore a specified area of interest or science project, play group games, and to visit the Greencastle Aquatic Center.

For children who have not reached the age requirements for the other programs, Tot Time will be held to provide a space for little ones to explore park activities with the comfort of the their parent. Tot Time targets children of pre-school age, walking through 5 years of age.

For those looking for a more activie program, the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department is offering Youth Tennis Instruction for children, ages 7 to 14. The classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 9th to July 9th from 9 a.m. to noon depending on the age group. The fee for the program is $25, plus an unopened can of tennis balls.

The Aquatic Center will be offering 3 sessions of Learn-to-Swim Lessons for students, ages 6 and older. Two sessions of Water Babies will also be offered for those children, 6 months to 5 years of age.

And don't forget to Celebrate Kids Fishing Day! at Jaycee Park on Saturday, June 6th .

Learn to cast and reel, catch a fish, and be sure to enter the Huckleberry Finn costume contest. This program is free to all and is co-sponsored by Greencastle's Wal-Mart, Carpenter Realtors, Greencastle Cub Scouts Pack 99 and Boy Scout Troop 99.

Registration forms are available at Bright Futures, Putnam County Library, Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry, Greencastle City Hall, Greencastle Aquatics Center, as well as the City of Greencastle Web site. To obtain more information, you may contact the Greencastle Aquatic Center at 848-1909, the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department at 653-3395.