By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Niles Parks and Recreation summer program seems to be a big hit with area children.
Local parks have been filled with youngsters, enjoying the first few weeks of their summer vacation.
The program, which takes place at Eastside, Southside and Clevenger Parks, offers a wide variety of activities for children from first through sixth grades. Some activities include arts and crafts, games and special field trips. The program runs until Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"So far things have been going great. The numbers have been ideal and things have been keeping pretty quiet, which is a good thing," Summer Parks Program Supervisor Joe Racht said.
On Tuesday morning, children filled Eastside Park, playing kickball, coloring and getting their faces painted. Today, the kids will be heading to Hacker's, where they will enjoy putt-putt golf, video games and a variety of other fun activities. On Friday, Racht said they will begin swimming at the YMCA, which is something a lot of the children are looking forward to.
"I can't wait to go swimming," 7 year-old Madison Phillips said. Phillips is among many children who say they really enjoy the summer program. Ariel Kutz, 11, said she enjoys meeting new friends.
Parks counslers have volunteered their summer days to watch over the children and make sure their days are filled with fun.
"We have seven out of nine counselors back from last year, which makes things run pretty smooth. They know the routine and most of the kids who are returning from last year are familiar with them, so it makes the transition an easy one," Racht said.
"My favorite part of it is the field trips. I really like the counselors too. They are funny," Chelsey Peterson, a 9 year-old program participant said.
The program is free of charge, however, some events may require money for the children's participation.
Permission slips will be distributed prior to any field trips. The children will be taking other trips throughout the summer to places like Mega Play in South Bend, Ind., the Curious Kids Museum in St. Joseph, the Southwestern Michigan College Museum, the South Bend Chocolate Factory and Joey Armadillo's.
Racht said parents can continue to sign their children up throughout the summer, and forms can be picked up at the park sites.
"We have a really good mix of kids this year. It doesn't seem to be just one particular age group, which is nice to see," Racht said.
If weather should play a role, the park program could be cancelled for the day. Should this occur, it is the parent's responsibility to arrange for the child to be picked up if the park is closed for the day.
Children are not allowed to leave the park during program hours unless they are accompanied by a parent or in the case of an emergency.
Should a child leave the park without their parent, they will not be allowed to return for that day and repeated violations could result in their being removed from the program entirely.
All rules are geared to keep the children safe and parents responsible. For more information on the program, call 683-4700.