City programs perfect for procrastinating parents
SANDPOINT — Procrastinating parents still have time to get their children into fun programs and ensure their summer starts out right. Sandpoint Parks and Recreation department has several classes on offer that begin soon.
Saturday, June 4, parents and children can practice their skills at the free Tennis Block Party at Travers Park tennis courts. Participants without equipment can borrow balls and rackets at the event, and no pre-registration is required. Six to 9-year-olds take to the courts at 9 a.m. while players age 10 to 12 are up at 10 a.m. Those who are 13 to 17 years old claim the courts at 11 a.m., and older players follow at noon. Information on summer tennis classes will be available at the event, according to city officials.
The following weekend, June 11 and 12, another free family event, Daughters' and Sons' Day at the Range, offers opportunities to learn about gun safety and practice on the Outdoor Shooting Range. Children between the ages of 8 and 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Sponsors Brownell's/NRA Day and Bonner County Sportsmen's Association will provide .22 rifles, ammunition, shooting benches, targets, eye and hearing protection, beverages and snacks free of charge during the event. Certified NRA instructors and range officers will be on hand to help out. Participants must register with Sandpoint Parks and Rec by June 3, according to the class description.
Eight- to 14-year-olds can sign up for Treasure Hunts and More, slated for Monday, June 13 through Friday, June 17 at Lakeview Park. The fee is $90, and partial scholarships are available. City residents receive a $5 discount, according to Parks and Rec. Students must register by Monday, June 5.
"Participants ... learn direction orientation, map components, (how) to scavenge clues, (how) to hunt for treasure, and (how) to make maps of their own while exploring the natural world around them," the class description said.
Students aged 12 and above can take the Babysitters' Training Course, a single-day session that takes place at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The deadline for registration is Friday, June 3, and the cost is $45, with a $2 discount for city residents. The course prepares participants for a lucrative summer.
Because grown-ups need recreation, too, slots are still open for the Adult Coed Softball League. Team rosters must be turned in to the Parks and Recreation office by 5 p.m. June 6, and league play begins July 7. A $300 sponsor fee and $360 in players' fees per team are due June 16.
Frisbee enthusiasts of all skill levels aged 16 and up can join the Ultimate Frisbee League, which meets for competitions at Great Northern Park Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The season extends from May to September.
For more information on these and more classes on offer from Parks and Rec all summer long, call 263-3613 or go to sandpointidaho.gov.