The return of summer means the return of the Powell Recreation District’s summer slate of activities, including old favorites and new additions this year.

District director Colby Stenerson said there were 279 activity days last year, with an average of 122 participants each day.

The success of the district’s offerings apparently has inspired new summer activities to join the fold.

“We kept everything (from last year). There are a couple of programs we’ve kind of modified and some things we’ve added,” Stenerson said. “What we try to achieve is to offer something for every age, toddler on through seniors. We try to include everybody that’s in the community.”

Two new programs could attract a new demographic this summer, as Ati Bekes will be leading a Stand Up Paddleboarding class two days a month from May until August.

Dates of the program are:

• May 27 and May 30

• June 17 and June 20

• July 15 and July 18

• Aug. 19 and Aug. 20 

Each pair of dates costs $60.

“It’s sort of a neat way to try it out and see if you like it before you put a big investment into it,” Stenerson said of the course.

Bekes will also offer a Beginner Mountain Biking course. The class will include training at Homesteader Park before a journey through the McCullough Peaks. Dates are June 3 at Homesteader Park and June 6 at the McCullough Peaks. The class is $30.

Also new this summer will be pickle ball, available to all ages. A cross between tennis and ping pong, the games will be held at the Rocky Mountain Manor courts in Powell. Starting on Tuesday, June 2, games will be played at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays and are free to join.

“We ran a little test program last fall and it went well,” Stenerson said of the decision to offer the sport during the summer. “We’ve teamed up with the Rocky Mountain Manor to use their courts, and we’ve spiffed them up a little bit, and we’re excited to offer this for the summer.”

Lone Wolf Martial Arts also is offering a Self-Defense/Yongmudo course this summer for ages 8 and up. The price is $25 a month for four sessions. For information, contact instructor Chris Ivanoff at 899-1406.

The district’s Kids’ Camp also will see a slight change this summer, as it will extend to Monday through Friday this year. Children ages 5-9 are welcome to join the 1-4:30 p.m. program, which features a new theme each week. Sessions cost $25 (session five will run just four days, and costs only $20).

The district also will host the 29th annual Kids’ Fishing Day on Saturday, June 6. The event is sponsored by Wyoming Outdoorsmen, who provide prizes and other items. Registration is open June 1-5.

“It’s just an awesome day,” Stenerson said. “Great fun for the kids and families.”

The Toddler Zone also will continue this summer, with two sessions being offered on June 17 and 24, and July 1 and 8. All dates are on Wednesdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The program is for 3- and 4-year-olds and includes story time, crafts and snacks. Sessions cost $5.

“There are not a lot of things for that age group, but this is one of those things,” Stenerson said. “And the Children’s Resource Center helps with that. We’ve enlisted them to help us with that program, and they’re doing a great job.”

The district also offers a variety of adult programs, including men’s and women’s slow pitch softball, an open gym at Powell High School and the Wyoming Senior Olympics in July.

“We hope we can provide a lot of activities for people,” Stenerson said. “We want to keep our community social; that’s one of our goals, to get people off the couch and give them something fun to do.”

More information about Powell Rec programs is available at www.powellrec.com, by calling 754-5711 or in summer brochures at the rec office in Homesteader Park.