Albemarle Parks & Rec keeps kids busy with camps, lessons
Published 10:53 pm Friday, August 17, 2018
- Contributed Young Explorers enjoy a ride at Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury. From left, front row: Abram Mills, Ethan Gregg; second row: Brooke Burrage, Elyse Burleson; third row: Abriella Eckman, Carter Gibson; fourth row: Avery Swaringen, Reese Coble; fifth row: Nathan Helms, Ben Williamson; sixth row: Henry Deemer, Nehemiah Gibson; seventh row: Colton Coble, Cooper Haymond; eighth row: Virginia Edwards; and ninth row: Taylor Hurley.
Albemarle Parks and Recreation has kept children busy and learning all summer.
Many children ages 7-9 took part in the Young Explorers group, which was offered in two separate sessions.
Each day was packed with activities. On Mondays, the kids stayed in Rock Creek Park in Albemarle while focusing on team-building activities, according to Taylor Hurley, program supervisor for the city’s outdoor programs and athletics.
The children went to Morrow Mountain on two days, canoeing and swimming at the sandbar on Tuesdays and hiking on Wednesdays. In addition to hiking at Morrow Mountain, Wednesdays included a walk around the lake in City Lake Park and time on the park playground.
On Thursdays — the last day of the camp — the children went to Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury, where they rode the train, toured the animal and nature exhibits and visited the barnyard to see the animals, Hurley said.
Contributed
Young Explorers included, from left: Ethan Gregg, Abram Mills, Avery Swaringen, Brooke Burrage, Colton Coble, Cooper Haymond, Henry Deemer, Elyse Burleson, Abriella Eckman, Reese Coble, Ben Williamson, Nehemiah Gibson, Nathan Helms and Carter Gibson.
Hurley said that both sessions were full, including 15 students each week, while last year’s sessions had only nine and 12 students, respectively. While he did email last year’s campers to let them know the details of the camp this year, he said the information largely spread by word-of-mouth.
“All of the kids seemed to enjoy it,” Hurley said. “I had several parents tell me what a good program it was and how they’re looking forward to next year.”
This is Hurley’s second year as the program supervisor.
For prices, other information or to learn about registration, call Hurley at 704-984-9565 or email him at churley@albemarlenc.gov.
Imari Scarbrough is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News and Press.
