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Norristown parks and recreation reports large growth in youth programs; summer camp enrollment up
Summary
Parks and Recreation reported increased participation across spring and summer programming, including a 50% increase in the spring basketball league and 110 campers in summer camp; staff plans expanded fall programming and a teen camp pilot going forward.
Brianna Hawkins, director of Norristown Parks and Recreation, told council on Aug. 6 that participation in seasonal programming has increased and that staff are expanding offerings for fall.
Hawkins said the spring basketball league enrolled 135 participants this year, a roughly 50% increase from the previous year. She reported summer camp enrollment at 110 participants and said the department piloted a teen camp with 12 participants that included podcasting, acting, cosmetology and barbering instruction.
Hawkins described programming priorities as five ‘‘buckets’’ — STEM, sports and athletics, arts and crafts, environmental awareness and nutritional habits — and said staff aim to expand youth travel teams and competitive opportunities so families that cannot access costly out-of-town programs can still compete. She also highlighted outreach to seniors (bingo and line-dancing programs) and noted Ramadan and other cultural events were part of the seasonal calendar.
Council members praised the department’s outreach and program growth and asked staff to return with additional plans for next year’s National Parks and Recreation Month recognitions.
Ending
Hawkins said staff will continue to scale programs, build partnerships and bring forward ideas for public recognition of parks and recreation professionals next year.
