Staff writer
There is no sleeping in for many Hillsboro area youths this summer. School classes might be over, but 5:30 a.m. weight lifting followed by volleyball camp, softball hitting, and other activities are keeping families with young athletes busy.
“Basically we try to give our kids a quality background in a lot of different things,” Hillsboro Recreation Director Doug Sisk said. “At this age they don’t know exactly what they might be good at, so we try to offer a variety of experiences and opportunities.”
Golf camp, supervised weight lifting, volleyball camp, summer drama, softball, baseball, and tennis are just a few of the opportunities available through the commission. Summer Spanish classes meet daily through June for children grades 1 through 8.
Additional opportunities such as swim team and library reading programs are offered to keep kids busy.
Marion County extension oversees an extensive 4-H program that includes many summer activities such as 4-H camp at Rock Springs Ranch and a multitude of summer livestock shows and other project meetings.
High school softball coach Stephanie Sinclair and several parents supervise an open hitting forum for softball players every Tuesday and Thursday morning at the Memorial Park batting cages.
“We’re just here for anyone who wants to work on their hitting,” Sinclair said. “All ages are welcome. We have girls from third grade on up to high school age working out. They help each other learn.”
Mother and daughter Melissa and Emily Jost enjoy spending time together working on Emily’s hitting at the open practice.
For them and many other families, sports practices and games keep them busy throughout the summer. Drive time to games becomes family time and time spent together that might not otherwise happen.
For Trina Lucero and her family, a little more down time would be acceptable. She brought her younger daughter, Delainey to hitting practice but her older daughter slept in.
“My older daughter finally decided she was just going to take a few days and sleep in,” Lucero said. “There is so much to do, it certainly isn’t hard to find ways to keep them busy.”
The Hillsboro Recreation Commission lists summer event calendars on its website at http://www.cityofhillsboro.net/hrc.