Recreation division highlights summer camps, scholarships and community events

Arthur Shepherd, recreation division staff for St. Mary's County, opened the April 5 meeting with a report on recent programs and upcoming events.

Shepherd said the county recently hosted the Mason–Dixon gymnastics meet and that gymnastics boosters, staff and volunteers received positive feedback from visiting teams. He also reported robust youth basketball participation: “over a 1000 young people, a 100 teams,” and said staff are planning league structure changes for next year.

Upcoming events and programs

- Easter festival (rain or shine): Shepherd said the county usually draws large numbers for the annual egg hunt; last year staff recorded roughly 900 children and distributed about 7,000 eggs. - Scott Verbeck Memorial Golf Tournament (June 8): Shepherd described the tournament as a scholarship fundraiser and said “the Scott Verbeck tournament raised over $5,000 last year” to support camp scholarships. He explained the application process is minimal and that scholarships can cover 50 percent or a full week for families in hardship. - Summer musical auditions: Shepherd said auditions for the July production Crazy for You will be April 13–14, and the program is aimed at younger performers and volunteers (staff described participant ages stretching from 2nd grade through young adults, with a reference to 7th graders and those up to age 21). - Summer camps and targeted programs: Shepherd described multiple camp tracks (day camps, junior counselor program, Summer of Safety Arts and Reading camps at St. Peter Claver and Bannockworth School for at-risk children, and the New Horizons Camp for children with special needs). He said New Horizons has run for about 30 years from Hollywood Elementary School and serves about 50 children per summer.

Why it matters

Shepherd emphasized access and continuity: scholarship funds are intended to reduce financial barriers and targeted reading/arts camps include lunch and bus transportation identified with school principals. The New Horizons program provides respite and year-round developmental continuity for families of children with disabilities.

Ending

Shepherd encouraged residents to register for camps and to contact the recreation office for scholarship applications and audition information. No formal board action was taken on these program items at the meeting.