When the weather starts to warm up, it’s always nice to find something fun to do outside. For parks and recreation departments, that’s pretty much all they do every day. And it just so happens to be spring now, and the parks and rec departments in Concord and Bow can’t wait to get going on the season.
Although the fun never ends with either department, the good stuff really ramps up once spring rolls around.
We checked out both departments to see what’s in store for this spring. Since each department has about 20 pages of offerings, we decided to go through and highlight some of the newer or featured programs. Many programs have varying costs, locations and times, so you’ll want to check each department’s website, onconcord.com/recreation and bow-nh.com/Pages/BowNH_ParksRec, for more exact details.
Concord
∎ April vacation video camp: Ages 9 to 14
Discover the thrilling world of action filmmaking! Campers will be introduced to the basic concept of video production and given the opportunity to create their own videos and short films.
The camp runs April 25-29 from 12:30 to 5 p.m.
∎ April vacation soccer camp: Grades one through six
Taught by international soccer coaches, this camp runs April 25-29, 8:30 a.m. to noon, for children in grades one through six. Get a head start on the soccer season by learning skills and drills from some of the best United Kingdom coaches.
And if they’re from the U.K., they must be pretty good.
∎ NFL Flag Football: Ages 6 to 11
Concord Parks and Recreation is excited to offer NFL Flag Football, a flag football league for boys and girls ages 6 to 14. The league is co-ed and is broken down into three divisions: Division A (ages 6 to 9), Division B (ages 9 to 11) and Division C (ages 12 to 14).
NFL Flag Football will run May 1 to June 12. Division A runs from 9 to 11 a.m., Division B runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Division C goes from 1 to 3 p.m.
Get out there and unleash your inner Gronk!
∎ Soccer FUNdamentals: Ages 4 to 6 (not in first grade)
The focus of this co-ed program is on FUNdamentals. Children will begin to learn the basics of soccer and team sports. FUNdamentals runs Saturdays from May 7 to June 11 at Keach Park. Check the website for times and prices.
∎ Co-ed Division I youth spring soccer: Grades one and two
This is a co-ed recreational soccer program for kids in first and second grade. Emphasis is on skill development, game participation, good sportsmanship and fun!
For the first time, this age group will have one practice and one game per week. Division I runs Saturdays from May 7 to June 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 pm at Keach Park.
∎ Co-ed spring soccer clinic: Grades three to six
This is a fun co-ed program that offers separate divisions for grades three and four and grades five and six. The emphasis of this program is fun, skill development and multiple small-sided games. Participants will learn the beginning skills, techniques and etiquette of soccer.
The clinic runs Saturdays from May 7 to June 1. Check the website for times and prices.
∎ Easter Cupcake Egg-Stravanganza: Grades one to four
Get ready for Easter and learn how to dress up a basic vanilla cupcake with ingredients you can find at your local supermarket. No cake decorating or special experience required!
The class will be held this Saturday, from 2 to 3 p.m., so no dilly-dallying.
∎ Culinary class for teens: Ages 12 to 14
Wanna learn how to cook? Wanna have fun while doing it? Well then the culinary class for teens is right up your alley.
The class will focus on popular dishes and how to make a whole meal from A to Z. And here’s the best part: At the end of each class, you can have a nice sit-down meal with the rest of the class.
The class is for kids ages 12 to 14 and will run Thursdays, May 5-26, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Heights Community Center.
∎ Lil chef’s club: Ages 3 to 6
If your little rascals like helping out in the kitchen, they’ll love this program.
With help from a parent and instructor, kids will make edible creations that they can take home with them (assuming there’s any left). You also get to keep the recipe, so it’s like the gift that keeps on giving.
It runs Fridays, April 1-22 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Heights Community Center. Participants should bring water.
∎ Nature babes: Ages 6 weeks and up
Join group leader Erin, aka “Mama Girzone,” and explore Concord’s walking trails while carrying your little one in a back or front pack (not the ones for school books, the ones for babies).
It’s a chance to get some exercise, take in the nice weather and meet some other mothers and fathers while you’re at it. The program runs Thursdays, May 5 to June 9, from noon to 1 p.m.
∎ Tennis
There’s all kinds of tennis available this spring (and summer). Youth tennis lessons with instructor Pattu Pillai will be held Tuesdays from May 3 to June 27. Lessons for kids ages 8 to 10 will be from 5 to 6 p.m., and lessons for kids ages 11 to 13 will be from 6 to 7 p.m. All lessons will be at Merrill Park.
Once you’ve got the training down, it’s time for a league. The summer tennis league for ages 16 and up begins June 14, and there are two separate sessions (the second session begins July 26, so we’ll cross that bridge when we get there).
And if you’re older than a teenager, there’s still some tennis for you, too.
An adult tennis league – for advanced beginners to intermediate players – starts May 5. Participants can choose between three skill levels.
Bow
∎ Archery: Ages 7 and up
Learn to improve your bow skills (in Bow!) in a fun and safe environment with instructor Lucy Morris. Shoot at different things such as a rope, huge playing cards and other cool things.
The classes will be taught at the Bow Community Center on Sundays from 3 to 4 p.m. for beginners or 5 to 6 p.m. for intermediate archers. Session VI started March 20, but Session VII begins May 1.
∎ BASIC sports strength and conditioning: Grades six to eight
In this conditioning program, students (boys and girls welcome) will learn BASIC sports conditioning, nutrition and core strength training.
Students should wear comfortable clothing and sneakers (no jeans and clogs).
The program will run Tuesdays at Bow High School starting April 5 from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m.
∎ Field hockey clinic: Grades three and four
Come and learn the FUNdamentals of field hockey.
This is a good class for girls who have not yet tried it and would like to give it a shot and see what it’s all about.
The clinic is for girls entering grades three and four in fall 2016. Sticks will be provided, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it. Players need to dress accordingly for weather conditions (layers), running sneakers, a mouth guard and shin guards are required for play.
The clinic will be held at Bow Elementary School on May 20 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
∎ 50-plus fitness
This program includes strength training, cardio, balance training and more, with the emphasis on the needs of the exercising older adult – but anyone is welcome. Participants are given options so the workouts are individually appropriate.
The program will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from April 4 to June 15 from 9:45 to 10:35 a.m.
