While many students might sleep in and watch TV all day during
spring break next week, the Hollister Recreation Division is
offering them a chance to stay active with the Spring Break Sports
Camp and Spring Break Fun Camp April 14-18.
While many students might sleep in and watch TV all day during spring break next week, the Hollister Recreation Division is offering them a chance to stay active with the Spring Break Sports Camp and Spring Break Fun Camp April 14-18.
Although registration deadlines were Friday, the Recreation Division will accept participants until the days the camps begin, said recreation coordinator Armando Barragan.
“It’s a great opportunity for parents who are looking for something their children can do instead of sitting at home and learn skills and meet new people,” he said.
The Fun Camp, for kids ages 5-12, runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Events include “getting-to-know-you” activities, story time, arts and crafts and outside games Monday; a trip to the fire department Tuesday; a walk to the library and kids club Wednesday; visiting the sheriff’s department and McDonald’s Thursday and a spring break celebration and Easter egg hunt Friday, said recreation coordinator Tina Garza.
Garza said participation in the Fun Camp has increased recently, partly because of Hollister’s growing population.
“A lot of parents are seeing that all their children are doing is sitting in front of the TV,” she said. “A lot of them just want to keep their kids safe.”
The camp is limited to 30 kids and Garza said about 15 have registered. Registration deadline is April 10, but Garza said it can be pushed if the camp isn’t full. Cost for the five-day camp is $70 for residents and $80 for non-residents.
Having camps during spring break is something the Hollister Recreation Division has done for awhile, Garza said.
“The point is to give children something to do during their spring break,” she said. “(Spring Break Fun Camp) gives them a variety. Not everyone likes to play sports.”
For those who do, the Recreation Division is also offering three different Spring Break Sports Camps:
Basketball Camp, instructed by Ed Cecena, former San Benito High School varsity boys basketball coach. Participants will work on dribbling, shooting, defense, passing, rebounding and offensive skills. There are three age groups: 5 to 8 years, 3 to 4 p.m., $35 for city residents and $40 for non-residents; 9 to 12 years, 4 to 6 p.m., $60 for residents and $65 for non-residents; and 13 to 16 years, 6 to 8 p.m., $60 for city residents and $65 for non-residents. All groups will practice at Marguerite Maze Middle School.
Golf Camp will focus on putting, chipping, rules and etiquette and full-swing fundamentals. Instructor is Pat Larkin, director of instruction at San Juan Oaks Golf Club. The camp is open to kids ages 8 to 17 and is held 11 a.m. to noon. Registration is $75 for residents and $80 for non-residents and includes a putter and a 7-iron that kids keep.
Soccer Camp will be broken into two age groups: mini soccer camp for ages 4, 5 and 6, 12:30 to 2 p.m., $60 for city residents and $65 for non-residents; and half day camp for ages seven 7 and up, 9 a.m. to noon, $84 for residents and $89 for non-residents. The camp will be held at the Rancho San Justo Sports Facility. The coaches hold a national coaching license in Great Britain and are trained specifically for this program.
For more information on the spring break camps, call the Hollister Recreation Division at 636-4390.
