Powell Recreation District is charging full steam ahead with a packed schedule of summer events for the kids. This year, the district is partnering with the Children’s Resource Center to bring back Kid Zone for the younger kids, and for the adults, co-ed softball returns. 

Kids’ Camp and youth activities

The district’s popular Kids’ Camps start the day after Memorial Day, with a new session every week through the end of July. Children ages 5 to 10 can attend in the morning, in the afternoon or stay all day. Each weekly session has a different theme, ranging from Under the Sea, to Bugs and Insects.  

The sessions start at the Homesteader Park Warming House, with a fee of $37 per week for half-days or $74 per week for a full day. Free lunches will be provided by Powell Valley Healthcare.

“That’s a big program for us,” said Powell Recreation District Director Colby Stenerson. 

This year’s youth activities also include Adventure Trips to Billings, in June, July and August. The trips are open to children ages 6 to 14.

In June the Powell Rec Bus goes to the Get Air Trampoline Park. In July, the bus goes to the Billings Zoo, and in August, the adventure will be at the Oasis Waterpark. Fees range from $15 to $25, and registration prior to the day of the trip is required. 

For the youngest kids, ages 2 to 5, the Kid Zone returns on June 8, 15, and 22. This is a fun parent and child class that fills the day with stories, creative projects and fun snacks. The classes are 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and there is no fee to attend. 

Sports

If you’re seeking something athletic, Powell Rec has planned a range of sporting activities for the kids. 

Two sets of tennis classes will be offered beginning June 27 through July 21. Pee Wee Tennis covers kids 4 to 7, and Youth Tennis Lessons is for kids 8 to 13. Both classes are at the Westside Tennis Courts. The fee is $14 per person for the pee wee classes, and $16 for the older kids. 

This year also features Extreme Sports events from June 8 to July 13, at Powell Middle School. For kids ages 9 to 13 who want to try something outside the traditional sports, these activities will include longball, Greek footsketball, ultimate frisbee, and spikeball. The activities run June 8 through July 13, and the fee is $10. 

Gymnastic activities will run through much of June. These non-competitive classes at the Parkside Elementary Gym are for ages 3 to 13, with fees ranging from $27 to $30. Students will develop strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and confidence. 

Youth cheer classes will break down the basic cheer moves. The classes run from Aug. 1 to Aug. 12, for grades four through eight. The fee is $35 and includes a T-shirt. Family discounts are available. 

Young golfers can learn all aspects of the game with PGA pro Doug Firth. The classes run June 1 through July 20, for ages 7 to 17. The fee is $60 for six weeks of instruction. There will be a parent/child tournament on June 22, and a Camp Championship on July 20. 

Big Horn Martial Arts Academy will be offering Taekwondo classes for ages 6 and up, including adults. The classes run monthly throughout the year, at Trinity Bible Church. Fees are $40 per person, with discounts for families. 

Beginning May 31, there will be several Youth Sports Camps, covering basketball, volleyball, football and tennis. The ages for the weekly camps vary. All camps are at Powell Middle School, and there is no fee. 

Early fall football, soccer and volleyball activities will continue at the end of August through September. 

For adults, Co-Ed Softball League is returning. Dates are July 5 through Aug. 11. Registration deadline is June 20, and there is a fee of $150 per team. 

Stenerson said it’s been a few years since the district held the activity, but he’s expecting it will be as big a hit this year as it was before. 

“That went over really well. We’re hoping to pick that up again and make it even better,” the director said. 

Other activities 

The district’s Summer Academy is offering a range of classes and craft activities for kindergartners through eighth graders. These include Bike Stars, Gardening and Bugs, Scrap Booking, and Cupcake Wars. 

Stenerson said previous Cupcake War classes had a lot more boys who were perhaps expecting a good food fight. While no actual food is thrown, he said the baking classes are a lot of fun. 

The classes run through June and July. Fees are $22 per class, and $19 per class for additional family members in the same household. For more information on activity times and dates, please visit www.powellrec.com. 

The 36th annual Kids’ Fishing Day will return on Saturday, June 4, at the Homesteader Park Fish Pond. Registration deadline is June 3. The event is free, and the pond will be open to the general public all summer from 7 a.m. until dusk. All Wyoming Game and Fish regulations must be adhered to. 

The district is teaming up with the Science Zone to offer GSK Science for students entering grades two to six. This free summer education program aims to inspire the next generation of scientists. Contact the district at 754-5711 for details. 

Other activities include fitness classes, pickleball, a triathlon on May 28, and zumba classes. More information can be found at www.powellrec.com, or call 754-5711 for details.