by Heather Wood

After a day enjoying sunshine, barbeques, swimming, boating, and other outdoor activities, we invite you to spend the evening under the stars relaxing with a FREE movie along with family, food, and fun!  Summer Movies in the Park is a perfect chance to relax and enjoy a safe and special night in the fresh air.  Join the quest to save the Lego universe with The Lego Movie on Friday, June 19, in Harmon Park.  Come early to get a good seat!  Movies will begin at dusk.

The Town of Kernersville is partnering with the Kernersville YMCA and the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce to offer some old fashioned 4th of July festivities for the whole family to enjoy.  A patriotic parade, 5K run, hot dogs, fun in the sun, and an evening filled with music, games, and a fireworks show is a great way to spend Independence Day with your loved ones.

The day’s events kick off at 11:00am on Friday, July 4 at the Kernersville YMCA Slide Pool & Waterpark for Splash B4 the Blast.  Activities, games, giveaways, and FREE hot dogs (while supplies last) will be available until 1:00pm.  Community rates for non-members do apply.  Please call 336-996-2231 for pricing.

Join Kernersville Parks and Recreation (KPRD) this summer for our full day camp which offers indoor and outdoor activities, plus fun opportunities for friendships and exploration.  Our camp groups children by age and encourages their growing ability to make choices, work with others, and assume responsibilities.  Our extraordinary camp counselors work collaboratively to develop a fun curriculum that takes advantage of all that the summer offers.  They use playgrounds, field trips, daily excursions, and special visitors as extensions of the camp to help children discover science, explore nature, and engage in the creative arts while learning about the vast opportunities in the world around them.  We follow four essential rules when planning our excursions: the trip must be developmentally appropriate, safe, have educational value, and it must be fun!  Visit our website at www.toknc.com/pr for a full list of themed weeks and field trips.

We also offer half day specialty camps including LB3 Lacrosse, Junior’s Summer Tennis Camp, Drama Kids, Mad Science, and Basketball.  For a full list of descriptions, times, dates, and fees visit www.toknc.com/pr.

KPRD also invites the whole family to come and join the many educational and athletic programs we offer.  Our programs are a safe place for learning, adventure, and fun.  Your family will discover old and new friends, experience the excitement of trying something new, and have an awesome time! Programming is purposeful and age-appropriate so every family member can reach their potential as they engage in healthy and meaningful activities.  Listed below are a few of our new programs that are being launched this summer:

Young Sketchers – Ages 8-15

Children will create works of art using basic shapes and learn to “observe” vs. just “see.”  They will develop skills to encourage the practice of drawing in a non-competitive environment alongside friends.  Offered Tuesdays (6/16, 6/23, 6/30) from 11:00am-12:00pm with instructor Barbara Fager.

Combo Dance Class – Ages 3-10

This class teaches technique in ballet, tap, jazz, and tumbling while incorporating creative props and movement.  Coordination and balance will be promoted through imaginative and professional teaching methods.  Classes are for all skill levels and dancers will be grouped according to age.  This class is offered Saturdays (6/6-7/25) with instructor Courtney Porter.

Hip Hop Dance Class – Ages 6-12

Learn the basics of pop and lock and gliding techniques in a non-competitive, age-appropriate, and energetic environment.  Join us and be immersed in the latest in street and free-style hip hop moves.  This class is offered Saturdays (6/6-7/25) with instructor Courtney Porter.

Youth Mandarin Chinese Classes – Ages 5-10

Learn how to read, write, listen, and speak Chinese – the fun way!  Not just instruction, this class is hands-on and includes age-appropriate fun and games.  It is offered Tuesdays (5/5-8/25) with instructor Rose Chaffin, from NC Leadership Academy.

Oil Painting for Beginners – Ages 18 & Up

In these monthly classes, students will follow a step-by-step demonstration by the instructor.  They will cover the elements of composition and color values.  They will also learn to mix and blend paints to create pleasing paintings and gain confidence in their artistic abilities alongside new friends.  This class is offered Tuesdays (6/16, 7/14, 8/4) with Instructor Barbara Fager.

Macro Photography- Exploring Plants & Nature Up Close – Ages 18 & Up

In this class, you will be amazed at what you will see; interesting patterns, textures, and colors that often go unnoticed unless you get up close!  You will learn techniques and tricks to best capture images by getting up close with your camera.  We will also discuss the best equipment to use to get great shots and where to get them.   It is offered Wednesday (6/24) and Friday (6/26) with Elizabeth Larson, professional photographer.

From Eyes to Pen: Transforming Experience Into Creativity – Ages 18 & Up

Do you have lingering thoughts of a past experience or want to capture the present moment?  Whether it is an exchange at the gas station or a conversation at the dinner table, we will explore various written methods of artfully chronicling your daily journey.  This class is offered Saturdays (6/6, 6/20, 6/27) with Instructor Abrea Armstrong, Award Winning Journalist, Commentator, and Poet.

Social Doubles Tennis for Men & Women – Ages 18 & Up

This group is for intermediate-level recreational tennis players.  (USTA 3.0-4.0) We will play quads which will allow participants to play with different partners each week.  It is offered Tuesday (Women) and Thursday (Men), with a Kernersville Area Tennis Instructor.  Beginner ladies’ clinics will be held at the Fourth of July Park Tennis Courts on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:30am.  Contact Shawn McFarlin at shawnmcfarlin@gmail.com for details.

Next Month’s Preview:

July is Parks and Recreation Month!  This July we are celebrating 30 years of Parks and Recreation Month and the enduring importance of parks and recreation for the world.  From the start, parks were created to serve the people – to give them a place to appreciate nature, exercise, socialize, and have fun.  This mission lives on and will continue to intensify in the future.  This July, let us celebrate the past, present, and future of parks and recreation!  Visit www.nrpa.org/july and get out there and enjoy!