SWAMPSCOTT — The Recreation Department is rolling out several new programs during winter break at Clarke Elementary School, providing kids with a chance to connect with others and have fun on their time off.
Recreation Director Charlotte Daher de Garcia explained that the programs ran on Monday and will return Friday. The week started with interactive classes that let kids play with slime, make arts and crafts, and enjoy the building’s open gym.
“We hosted classes yesterday, and we’ll have them again on Friday, with a slime class from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is nice in case families are working,” Daher de Garcia said. “We also have a Frosty Fun Winter Crafts, which is led by our new Recreation Coordinator Christina O’Connor-Rice.”
The slime classes are hosted by Fun4All, a local organization that provides engaging, high-quality programming for kids, according to its website.
Daher de Garcia noted the Frosty Fun Winter Crafts class gives kids the chance to create things like their own snow globes and snowflake jewelry.
“We also have an open gym, which is really exciting. We have two sessions, K-2, and then grades 3-5, so there’s two different sessions where kids can come. It’s like old-school fun… There’s foosball, basketball, board games, LEGOs, just for kids to get out of the house. We’re really excited about that,” she said.
She said that 20 kids participated in the open gym event on Monday, and a dozen showed up to make their own crafts.
She continued that while brainstorming which events to bring to the community, Daher de Garcia wanted to provide programs that were appropriate for winter break.
“I know that a lot of people do travel, but there are some families that need to work, or families that want the kids to get out of the house (and) get some energy out… Especially with having the Clarke Elementary School and gym available, it seemed like the open gym was an awesome idea,” she said.
Daher de Garcia reiterated that the programs are a way for the Recreation Department to give parents a break and provide children with an outlet to have fun.
“I think it’s something that a lot of kids want. They just want to see their friends, and it makes me happy… My son went to the open gym yesterday and had a blast. That’s the hope for using the space at Clarke Elementary School, for people to go and meet a new friend, or see one you haven’t seen for awhile,” she said.
