Registration strong for Beaufort County recreation programs; summer camps and leagues filling fast

Beaufort County Parks and Recreation staff told the Advisory Board that registration and participation are strong across youth and adult programs, while staff are scaling camp capacity and recruiting seasonal employees.

Participation and programs: Staff reported increases in soccer and flag football participation (noting a "huge jump" in flag football), a notable surge in pickleball beginner classes (all four recent sessions filled with wait lists), and strong enrollment for adult volleyball and indoor soccer. Staff said Bluffton teams have advanced to district tournaments and some to state competition.

Camps and special events: Spring break and summer camps opened and filled rapidly; recreation staff expanded capacity to accommodate demand and plan to add instructors. The board heard about special events including an Easter egg hunt scheduled for March 28 at Bluffton Center and a senior resource event planned April 1 expected to draw several hundred registrants.

Senior services and meals: Marissa Freeman reported that home-delivered meals and group dining numbers have increased following release of state and federal funding, and that group dining occurs at eight county centers.

Staffing and next steps: Staff said full‑time positions are largely filled and that seasonal hiring for lifeguards, camp counselors and other roles is at a peak; a hiring event was scheduled for March 23. Staff will continue to monitor program capacity and return to the board with updated participation numbers and facility counts.

Outcome: No formal action was required; board members thanked staff for program growth. Staff will provide corrected attendance figures for Burton Wells (a counting-machine issue) at the next meeting.