From learning a new sport to solving mysteries to going on a treasure hunt, the Powell Recreation District has several options for children to enjoy this summer.

Camp and classes

With a variety of healthy and educational activities Kids’ Camp runs from June through early August, with options for morning, afternoon or all day attendance. Children ages 5-10 can participate in activities including crafts and educational programs, games and trips to the Powell Aquatic Center. 

The camp meets at the Homesteader Park Warming House. Parents can send their campers for the entire day (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for $90 a week) or just the morning or afternoon (8 a.m.-noon or 1-4:30 p.m. for $45). Free lunch will be provided for all children, sponsored and prepared by Powell Valley Healthcare. 

Summer academy

For students wanting to learn or improve a skill there’s Summer Academy. Offered in conjunction with Park County School District 1, it provides classes for elementary and middle school-aged students from June 8-July 16.

Participants in kindergarten and first grade can learn about gardening and bugs, try soccer and basketball, or enjoy treasure hunts and water play. Second and third graders can try a variety including Cupcake Wars baking, studio art or a wilderness and outdoor class, solve mysteries as a kid detective or try soccer and basketball.

For those in fourth and fifth grade there’s scrapbooking, sewing, baking, studio art, wiffle ball baseball or rocket building, among others. Classes are available for students in sixth through eighth grade.

All classes run for two hours (10 a.m. to noon or 1-3 p.m.) for four straight days (Monday through Thursday). The cost is $25 per class, or $22 for additional family members from the same household.

For younger children ages 2-5 and their parents, a free Kid Zone class will be on the first three Wednesdays in June. Each class will include a story, creative project and snack. Activities will be done through pretend play, creative movement, understanding directions and sensory sensations.

And there will be three “Adventure Trips” to Billings for children ages 6-14. Up first is the Get Air Trampoline Park on June 3. Lava Island indoor play park is next on July 22, with a trip to Rose Park outdoor waterpark on Aug. 5. The cost ranges from $18 to $30.

Sports and fitness

A series of basketball, volleyball, wrestling and football camps will take place mainly in June, with a few also happening in August. There’s also tennis, cheerleading, martial arts, gymnastics and golf sessions throughout the summer.

The Youth Workout Club for incoming sixth through eighth graders is back to help middle schoolers improve their general fitness or get better prepared for a specific sport through circuit training, high intensity interval training, yoga and stretching.

For adults, there is a co-ed softball league. Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between June 23 and Aug. 6. Cost is $175 per team. 

There’s also pickleball beginning in May at the Westside Tennis Courts. For more information call (307) 431-2445 or check with the rec district.

And if you’re looking for something to do on your next family outing, there’s a variety of equipment to rent such as horseshoes, frisbees, softballs, kickballs, soccer balls, whiffle ball sets, basketballs and footballs, a portable volleyball package and even disc golf baskets and discs.

There also are two scholarship opportunities available to help youth who might not be able to afford a district program — the Art Coughenour Memorial Youth Scholarship and the Kids Need To Play Scholarship from Wes Metzler’s family.  

For more information on classes and programs contact the Powell Recreation District at 307-754-5711. To sign up for programs visit powellrec.com.