By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – After a couple of postponements due to rainy weather, “Capture the Flag” day at the Shrewsbury Parks & Recreation Summer Playground program finally took place on July 24. For the kids, it was well worth the wait for a glorious summer day with perfect temperatures in the low to mid 70s.
The Playground program began on June 17 and runs through Thursday, Aug. 8. It is held at Floral Street School, for children entering grades one through seven in the upcoming school year. Families have the option for full or half day. The full day participants come prepared with a lunch, towel, bathing suit and sunscreen because they are transported for an afternoon of swimming at Sunset Beach, weather permitting.
The program runs Mondays through Thursdays in this format but on Fridays there is an optional field trip that the kids can take which include excursions to Breezy Picnic Grounds and Waterslides, the Roger Williams Zoo, bowling or a movie.
Every day offers a different focus featuring a variety of activities that include daily arts and crafts projects based on the weekly theme. Games are age appropriate, inclusive and the kids are active. Everybody is having fun.
On “Capture the Flag” day the kids play a game where they are divided into two teams (Red and Blue,) and the object is to capture your opposing team’s flag and bring it over to your side of the field. The Blue Team won the game, 7-0.
“Of the 32 days of camp that we have this is one of their favorites,” stated Lisa Sundeen, camp counselor.
“Every afternoon we come to Sunset Beach for about two and a half hours. It’s a more relaxed environment and they are welcome to buy snacks, swim, play basketball, Ping-Pong and there are a couple of little play structures where the kids can play,” she added. “Kids are required to take a swimming test. If they fail they must wear a life-vest in the water.”
For more information, visit https://shrewsburyma.gov/407/Parks-Recreation-Division.
Photos/Melanie Petrucci
(top, l to r) Teagan Grindle, Summer Belanger and Peach Roadman; (bottom l to r) Tanner Grindle, Meaghan McMahon and Oliver Grayson