The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Rec staff cures wasted-summertime syndrome

By Pam Marino

A summer is a terrible thing to waste. To make sure not a single teen wastes this summer, the Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Department is planning lots to do, including special events, trips and parties.

There are two new activity programs, one for middle school students and one for high school students. The programs are similar and will share a river rafting trip in July. In addition, there is an open gym program at Columbia Neighborhood Center. There are also programs for teens interested in volunteering or finding a job.

The activity program for middle school students kicks off on Friday, June 20, with a free movie night at Columbia Middle School from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Recreation staff will show a movie in the outdoor quad area of the school and provide popcorn and refreshments.

A week later on Friday, June 27, middle school kids will be invited to travel to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $28. Pick-up and drop-off will be at the Community Center, 550 E. Remington.

Two pool parties are planned the second week in July, on Wednesday, July 9, at Columbia Neighborhood Park from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Thursday, July 10, at Peterson Middle School, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Both parties cost $5.

On July 23 recreation staff will be taking both middle school and high school kids on a rafting trip down the American River from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The cost of the trip is $59. Pick-up and drop-off are at the Community Center.

In August middle school students can have a ball playing and watching soccer. On Wed., Aug. 6, the Columbia Neighborhood Center is the site of a soccer tournament. Then on Sat., Aug. 9, kids are invited to see the San Jose Clash play at Spartan Stadium. Times and costs for both events are to be announced.

The activity program for high school students is still being planned. Senior Arts and Youth Services Coordinator Kay Whitney said besides the river-rafting trip, a "Mall Madness Evening" is being planned, along with a paint ball competition at the Action Zone. The mall evening will include food, video games, ice skating and broom ball at the Vallco Mall in Cupertino.

Pre-registration is required for any paid event. Registration forms are available at the Community Center, and will be in a special summer teen brochure distributed to all students at Sunnyvale middle and high schools. For more information about middle school programs, call 730-7724. To inquire about high school programs, call Whitney at 730-7624.

Also available to teens of all ages is the Drop-In Gym program at Columbia Neighborhood Center, 730 Morse Ave. Starting Mon., June 23, teens are welcome at the gym from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday. Sports like basketball and indoor soccer are played, but teens are welcome to come watch and just hang out if they would like. Supervision is provided. The cost is 50 cents. For more information about this program, which ends Fri., Aug. 29, call 730-7514.

Whitney said teens can also become summer volunteers through the city, sometimes working with younger kids in city programs, or they can participate in Next Step, an eight-week job-readiness program. Next Step begins June 23 and ends Aug. 15.

Whitney said she welcomes calls from any teen who feels bored this summer.

"If they are bored, I'll give them a bunch of options for things they can do," she said.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, May 28, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.