Water safety, STEM event on tap through Parks & Rec

| June 22, 2019 1:00 AM

There’s a whole host of fun events and important courses on the horizon through the Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department.

Among the offering is 7B Drowning Free, a water safety course for families and the entire community. Also on tap is a storytelling adventure with Campfireball, STEM in the park events,

• 7B Drowning Free

Several sessions of an important course on family/community water safety — 7B Drowning Free — are planned this summer.

Online registration deadline for the first session is Wednesday, June 26, with the course being held Saturday, June 29. Registration for the second session is July 10, with the class being held on July 13.

Both sessions will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. and participants will meet at the City Beach lifeguard shack.

The class is being offered free to general public, but a minimum of four registered participants are needed to run the course.

After completing this presentation, participants will be able to recognize the importance of water safety training and swimming lessons; describe the “circle of drowning prevention” and the “chain of drowning survival;” and understand the elements of water competency, explain steps to take to remain safe in, on, and around water.

The course is presented by highly experienced, certified water safety and lifeguarding instructors.

Those interested can register online at sandpointidaho.gov/parksrecreation or visit us at 1123 Lake St. For additional classes offered by Parks and Recreation, check out on their website or call Sandpoint Parks & Recreation at 208-263-3613.

• Campfireball

The Sandpoint Library and Parks & Recreation are teaming up to present a storytelling extravaganza on Thursday, June 27. The community is invited to bring their best jokes and musical talents for this event — which is part talent show, part open-mic, and part multimedia event . The libe collaborative adventure with Campfireball, the traveling adventure show, will begin at 6 p.m. in Lakeview Park.

Imagine this: Sandpoint is about to be attacked by monsters. You’re invited to join the ridiculous fun with Campfireball, in a live interactive community event featuring the town banding together as a community to survive. Performances from local artists in an interactive, participatory storyline with spontaneous contributions from the audience.

Will Sandpoint make it through the invasion or will everyone be turned into monsters? Audience choices guide this exciting, can’t-be-missed evening! Feel free to bring out your best monster protection equipment (safety first: think nerf guns).

- STEM in the Park

Join Sandpoint Library and Parks & Rec. for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in the park. Bring a lunch and come do science and building projects. The program is geared toward youth in first through fifth grades, however, all are welcome and there is no charge to participate.

The program will be held from 12-1 p.m. at City Beach on July 10 and July 24.

For more information, call Suzanne at East Bonner Library, Youth Services, at 208-263-6930 or Sandpoint Parks & Recreation at 208-263-3613.

- Living Literature Camp

Brings books to life through play, hands-on activities, and applied learning at the upcoming Living Literature Camp. The next session of the camp will be held July 15-19; registration deadline is July 10.

The camp, which is aimed for youth between ages 6-10 years old, is designed to keep children engaged in learning throughout the summer; with a goal to get kids excited about what they are learning. Living literature subjects covered over the course are geography, history, science, language arts, applied math, and character building. There will be themed crafts, activities and games each day. The youth will go home with a folder of their work at week’s end. Each child needs to bring a sack lunch each day.

The camp will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 15-19. Camp held at Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave. The camp fee is $100/session/child. Scholarships are available through the Parks & Rec office at 1123 Lake St.

For additional information on the programs as well as additional programs offered by Parks and Recreation, go online to sandpointidaho.gov/parksrecreation or call 208-263-3613.