The Friday Letter | July 26, 2013

Volume 2 ISSUE WEEKLY

28

NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

July 26 2013

FridayLetter THE

this issue

In The News:

Park News P.1 Enterprise Services P.2

Community & Recreation Center Services Program Finalist for National Recognition

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources P.5 Community & Recreation Center Services P.6

For more than a decade, the Excellence in Youth Sports

Park and Recreation— Park News

Awards has recognized programs that are doing superior jobs of conducting diverse activities with a focus on providing safe and positive experiences for all participants - including children, parents and coaches.

Each youth

year

hundreds

sports

of

programs

across the country and military bases worldwide vie to be an award winner. Developed by the National Alliance for Youth Sports and Athletic Business magazine, the first Excellence in Youth Sports Awards were presented in 2000.

Congratulations Revolution Park Sports Academy & CRCS.

Park and Recreation Youth Sports Receives National Finalist Recognition National Alliance for Youth Sports Excellence Awards Finalist The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is America's leading advocate for positive and safe sports and activities for children. The non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Today, NAYS offers programs and services for everyone involved in youth sports experiences, including professional administrators, volunteer administrators, volunteer coaches, officials, parents and young athletes. The goal of NAYS is to make sports and activities safe and positive by providing programs and services that add value to youth sports. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, has been selected as a 2013 Finalist, in recognition of Community & Recreation Center Services Programming.

Up to five communities are annually recognized as Excellence in Youth Sports Award winners. Applications that qualify for the final round of judging, but that do not win an award, receive Honorable Mention recognition.

The Excellence Award Committee, comprised of National Alliance for Youth Sports and Athletic Business staff, review applications. Applications are judged on several criteria, including what the organization does to educate their administrators, volunteer coaches, game officials and parents, in addition to how well they demonstrate that they embrace a child-centered recreational sports philosophy that is aimed at providing a positive and safe experience for all youth.

Events In The News: Tournaments & Adult Athletics

______________________

On July 20th and 21st there were Youth Softball Tournaments at Nevin and Hornet's Nest Park. The tournament name was Top Gun Sports Youth Girls Softball World Series. There were a total of 118 teams participating in the tournament.

There is an upcoming Youth Baseball Tournament this weekend July 27-28 at Nevin Park. ______________________

Men’s Basketball: Men’s Basketball 40 and Over started its summer league on July

Looking For Things To Do? There is no shortage of things to do in Mecklenburg County! Throughout the year Park and Rec hosts many popular athletic events, activities, and programs that offer great things to do on idle weekends. You can even find and register for them online at eParks. Click on the icons below to find out more about the sports, activities, and programs that Park and Rec offers.

23. The games are held on Tuesday nights at Bette Rae Recreation Center and Thursday nights at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center. There are a total of 9 teams participating this season.

Events In The News

Aquatics The North Carolina Swimming Senior Long Course Swimming championship took place at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center Thursday, July 18 through Sunday, July 21st. Four hundred fifty-three (453) senior swimmers from across the state swam to win both the State Championship or qualify for The US Open in Irvine, California.

The Double Oaks and Cordelia Outdoor Pools offer summer swim leagues for youth, free swim lessons as well as open swim opportunities. Come on down and enjoy the water.

Hours of Operation Mon - Fri 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Sat: 11 am - 5 p.m.

Sun: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission Fees Everyone is only $1 all summer long.

FREE SWIM LESSONS AT THE OUTDOOR POOLS Registration for swim lessons will be accepted, beginning on Wednesday June 13, at the pool you wish to attend. Registration will be taken every Wednesday beginning at noon for the following week only. Registration for lessons is done weekby-week and must be done in person. No phone reservations will be taken.

All reservations are first come, first served and spots are limited.

Did You Know: USA Swimming USA Swimming is the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States. It is charged with selecting the United States Olympic Swimming team and any other teams which officially represent the United States, as well as the overall organization and operation of the sport within the country, in accordance with the Amateur Sports Act. The national headquarters is located at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

USA Swimming was originally called United States Swimming (USS) upon its departure from the AAU. Prior to the existence of "USS", the AAU, or the Amateur Athletic Union, served as the governing body for swimming and other sports across the country.

Aquatics Diversity Select Camp Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center hosted the first USA Swimming Southern Zone Diversity Camp held July 11 -14. This camp invited diversity athletes, coaches, and staff from the Southern Zone (TX, LA, MS, AL, FL, GA, SC, NC, WV, TN, KY) to be apart of this wonderful event.

USA Swimming's Diversity and Inclusion mission is, "To assist USA Swimming in creating a culture of inclusion and opportunity for people from underrepresented populations of diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to, race, age, income, ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexual orientation" (www.usaswimming.org).

Rodney Sellars and his staff hosted this event that included training by the former 2 time Olympian (2000, 2004) Janelle Atkinson-Wignall who is the current assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Connecticut women's swimming program. Classroom sessions provided the opportunity for athletes and coaches to share ideas to diversify the sport of swimming at the local level. Presentations were made by 17 time NCAA college champion Dave Marsh and his Olympians Cullen Jones and Roy Burch.

Visit one of your local Nature Preserves: Auten Berryhill Big Rock Bracket Bluff Clarks Creek Cowan's Ford Evergreen Gar Creek Flat Branch (planned) Gateway Haymarket Latta Plantation McDowell and Copperhead Island Oehler Reedy Creek RibbonWalk Rural Hill Shuffletown Prairie Stephen's Road Stevens Creek West Branch The Division of Nature Preserves and Natural Trimming tree limbs around roadsides, trails and facilities is an ongoing project in the NaResources is responsible ture Preserves. This year has been especially challenging, since the abundant rain we have for the protection and been getting has spurred a lot of growth in vegetation. The Nature Preserves have over 30 conservation of Mecklenmiles of hiking and bridle trails, and several miles of roads - so that's a lot of trimming! burg County's parks designated as Nature Preserves. .

Cutting Back in the Nature Preserves:

Nature Preserves protect the county's biological resources and natural areas, while providing opportunities for environmental education, nature-based programs, and outdoor rec-

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Summer Fun and Healthy Play Over 120 youth, ages 4 to 17, participate in Progressive Church’s Youthquake Camp at Arbor Glen Outreach Center each week.

The campers enjoy daily classes including Praise Dance, Drama, Fitness Training and Computer Technology.

For more information on other upcoming programs call 704.432.1532 or email ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MecklenburgCountyN C.govor 704-432-1531.

International Potluck Festival Seniors spent time learning about different cultures and trying a variety of foods from Guyana, Philippines, Panama, Kenya and the United States. Friends socialized while others learned how to Hula.

Bette Rae Recreation Center For more information, please call 704-432-3048 or email at BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov

Camp Chrononaut @ Berewick Recreation Center This week in Camp Chrononaut kids have enjoyed learning about the Wild West time and partaking in many other activities. They spent time with Ken Koonce, Recreation Coordinator from Revolution Park Sports Academy, who taught them the game of Gatorball. Launch Your Kid also came out and got the kids fit and active with some Zumba and dancing routines. Tweetsie Railroad was a hit as our field trip this week. The kids got to ride the coal engine train and watch a Wild West showdown between Cowboys and Indians!

Berewick Recreation Center For more information about summer camps at Berewick Recreation Center, please call 704.432.4934 or email BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Revolution Park Sports Academy Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Boxing Program: Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department's boxing program in partnership with the Charlotte Boxing Academy continues to grow in youth participant numbers each month. Most of the kids transition to the CBA program after they have been thru the Park and Recreation Youth Boxing Fitness/Beginners classes were they learn basic, conditioning, techniques and fundamentals of boxing without the sparring. After a minimum of the one month session, they can then try out for the CBA program where they take it to the next level of boxing which includes sparring, competition and maybe even travel. The team just recently returned from the USA National Jr. Women's Golden Gloves in Hollywood FL, winning 1 bronze medal and placing 3rd within the United States. For those adults who want to get in great shape, there is an Adult Boxing Fitness Program also. For more information on this and other boxing programs call the Revolution Park Sports Academy at 704 432-4963.

Urban Outdoor Connection Camp Sugaw Creek Recreation center kicked off it’s partnership program with the department’s own Nature Center to offer the “Urban Outdoor Connection Camp”. Each day, campers travel todiffrent places: local natural areas, state parks or preserves, and focus on different aspects of outdoor fun while developing their confidence in nature. For more information, contact Sugaw Creek Recreation Center at 704-336-7655.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities The 2013 Sugar Creek Jr. Tennis Summer Program— ...is in full swing. Campers of all skill levels take to the court to increase their knowledge of the game and to work on their skills.

Serving, backhand and forehand shots are being mastered. Conditioning and overall physical fitness are a big portion of their program. Campers exercise their minds with a reading period throughout the week . For more information, contact SugawCreek Recreation Center at 704-336-7655.

The Adventure in Play Summer Day Camp 2013 Participants of Methodist Home's Summer Camp have recreated all summer long with fun programs, activities, games and field trips. Youth, ages 6-12, have explored nature, science, magic, history, astrology, technology, and the great outdoors. Field trips included: The Schiele Museum and Planetarium, The Raptor Center, Duke Energy Explorium, McDowell Nature Preserve, The Carolina Aviation Museum, and The Charlotte Light Factory. They learned how to compost at the Sugaw Creek greenway garden and have had weekly science lessons with Rocket Ryan Paskow. Magician Houdini wowed youth with his mesmerizing magic and staff amazed the youth with new fun and innovating games that got them moving!

Methodist Home Recreation Center For more information, call 704.432.6455 or email MethodistHomeRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Romare Bearden Style Collages Made This week at the Classy Creations Summer Camp at Ivory/ Baker Recreation Center, children learned about former Charlotte, North Carolina native and renowned AfricanAmerican artist Romare Bearden, famous for his collage artwork. Campers made collages expressing their understanding of Romare Bearden’s legacy through the creation of collages as they listened to Big Band Swing music, to get them "in the mood." (Hint: Glenn Miller Orchestra reference.)

Some children from the 2nd & 3rd grade class showed off their swing style dancing skills as others completed their art work.

On Friday, the summer camp staff will choose certain artwork to enter into the Inaugural Romare Bearden Youth Art Show held during the Grand Opening of Romare Bearden Park.

Ivory/Baker Recreation Center For more information call 704.432.4580 or email IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Chalk Talk at Winget Coach Cynthia Smith gave a chalk talk session to campers during the fifth week of camp.

She explained the rules of the game and other importart strategies.

Campers also learned how to play zone defense and zone offense.

For more information on basketball camps and other programs please contact the Winget staff at 704 432 4934.

Wii & The Wise @ “The View”: Seniors enjoyed playing sports on the Wii game system with the help from some of the kids in summer camp.

They were able to get some good exercise, work on motor skills, and get their competitive juices flowing! The kids were very helpful in showing the seniors how to navigate through the game and teaching them how to play. This program, developed by Recreation Specialist Jonathan Nettles, was a great intergenerational bonding experience for the two age groups to go along with other great programs here at Southview! For more information on senior programs at Southview contact SouthviewRecreationCenter@M ecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Park and Recreation News: 5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840

Submissions for the Newsletter

Recreate All Year!

Subscribe to the Park and Recreation E-Newsletter to learn of new and exciting way sto continue recreating during the spring and summer months. Subscribe to the Park and Recreation E-Newsletter to stay up to date on activities that may be available to you.

www.parkandrec.com

Please submit all news for the Friday Letter to your Division Director for review and routing.

Park Partners may contact Kesha Meads at Kesha.Meads@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 2 • Issue 28• July 26, 2013

Scenes from Events: Say Cheese! Flashback of active citizens engaged in Adult Softball Tournaments.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team Jim Garges, Director Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director James Alsop, Enterprise Services Renea Barber, Human Resources Mario Chang, Budget Administration Lee Jones, Capital Planning Lola Massad, Community and Recreation Center Services Jeff Robinson, Park Operations