The John A. Anderson Recreation Center has once again become a hub of activity, laughter and summer memories as the 72nd Annual Summer Playground Program gets underway in Rockville Centre.
The free program, which began June 30 and runs through Aug. 7, welcomes children entering first through seventh grade this fall for a morning filled with sports, games, crafts and other activities. The program runs daily from 9 a.m. to noon and brings together approximately 350 children and 150 staff members, including counselors ranging from high school students to college students.
Throughout the Recreation Center campus, kids can be found taking part in a variety of activities. The gymnasium is filled with basketball, handball and other indoor games, while the pickleball courts have been transformed into another playground space for baseball, handball and basketball. The back field offers plenty of room for soccer and other field games, while the Recreation Center lobby provides a quieter area for board games, hobbies and creative activities.
“It’s just a fun, energetic camp,” said program supervisor Kaitlynn Brockett. “We have indoor and outside activities, fun water play. It’s just every year the same kids come back and we enjoy it so much.”
The program features both full and half-session options, allowing families flexibility throughout the summer. Brockett said many children who attend the first session end up returning for the second session after experiencing the activities and meeting the counselors.
While the days are filled with organized games and activities, Brockett said the best part of the program is seeing the children enjoy themselves.
“For me, it’s just to see all the kids smiling and having fun,” she said. “Even when we had to do an inside schedule, they still had the most fun. To see them laughing and having fun with their counselors is the most exciting part for me.”
The counselors play a key role in creating that positive atmosphere. Staff members must be at least 16 years old, with many high school and college students returning each summer. The program also includes Leaders in Training, who volunteer their time while gaining valuable experience working with younger children.
Brockett said the dedication of the counselors helps make the program special for both the children and the community.
“It’s very rewarding to see so many kids come back each year,” she said.
Parents can still register their children for the Summer Playground Program by contacting the John A. Anderson Recreation Center at (516) 678-9234.
