PEABODY — Summer officially begins next week, and there is good news on the horizon for day campers in Peabody.
The Recreation Department, Forests and Parks Department recently announced it’s full steam ahead for many summer recreation programs, albeit with certain COVID-19 modifications.
“We are all so excited to be able to run our summer program this year,” said Recreation Program Supervisor Kierstin Merlino. “It is so important to get kids to stay active and engaged which we believe we can do while being mindful of the need for social distancing.”
Merlino said a key component in putting the program together this year has been the cooperation of other city departments.
“This has been a real team effort with the Health Department, the schools and nearly every city department that has come together to make sure our programs are as safe as possible,” said Merlino. “We all understand the need to do all that we can to minimize the risk of COVID-19 to our kids and counselors.”
Programs will start as early as July 6. They will be limited to 10 children per class who will go through a daily wellness check before being allowed to participate. All activities will keep kids socially distant and face masks will be worn by all staff and participants. Staff and participants will be assigned their own spot a minimum of six feet away from other participants where they may go throughout the day if they need to remove their face masks.
While there will be no field trips and most indoor activities have been canceled, the department was able to save its most popular programs — the Brooksby Adventure program and the Tanner and Tanner Teen Playground programs.
Other programs to be offered include All-Around Athletics, youth tennis camps, field hockey clinics, girls basketball clinics, Summer Jr. Golf Club and golf clinics and track and field.
The Peabody Rec and Peabody Institute Library co-sponsored Family Walks at Tillies Farm is also being offered.
Some of the programs the department is unable to offer this summer include the Symphony Park Basketball League, Little Sluggers baseball, fencing, flag football, softball, Nature Nuts elementary school program, Park Parties,Tiny Tanners Playground, the Summer Soccer club, Leadership in Training and Thad Broughton’s Peabody Basketball School.
Merlino said the fate of the popular Peabody Youth Television program (PYTV) is undecided for the time being.
“The good thing is we are able to offer our biggest programs with Brooksby and the two Tanner playground programs,” she said.
Adult programs that survived the COVID-19 cut include Gardening in Newhall Park Herb Garden, golf lessons, Reiki and Total Body Conditioning with Holly Smith.
While some programs are sold out, Merlino advisors residents to register so they can put on a wait list as she feels there will be dropouts.
“Registration is up and open although many are already sold out, but I feel this is a very fluid registration process this year and year, and there will be movement as some people drop out because of safety concerns,” Merlino said. “Many people on the waitlist will likely get in.”
A statement on the department’s website states that the department is increasing its cleaning practices and PPE availability.
Merlino said that the department has hired additional staff members as programs have had to be divided into smaller groups, but that program costs will remain unchanged
Merlino advises people to check the department website, https://peabodyma.myrec.com/, for updates and additional information and that the best way to get questions answered is to subscribe to “Tell Me Tuesdays” email service.
“While this summer will be run differently than a traditional summer season, our goal is to provide a fun, social, and skill-building experience for each child that improves their confidence and instills a passion for an active lifestyle,” the statement said.
“More than ever, the safety and well-being of our participants and staff will be our top priority. The Peabody Recreation team will strive to make the best decisions based on the unique conditions and guidelines provided by state and local regulating authorities and we will share those plans with all of you as they are developed.”
