The importance of swim lessons

I read an editorial in today's Independent titled "Swimming lessons can be a real lifesaver" (6/1/10) and it contained some eye-opening facts. For instance, did you know drowning was the second-leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and 19 between 2000 and 2006? I was shocked to learn that.

While we are all careful when we take kids to the pool, sometimes accidents happen. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that while not all toddlers are ready for swim lessons, learn-to-swim programs can be beneficial for children under the age of four.

While swim lessons are not a fail-safe (even experience swimmers can drown), they go a long way in teaching children water safety.

With summer upon us, this is a big issue. The Massillon Parks and Recreation Department offers swim lessons for children as young as 6 months old (with a parent). All of our swim lessons are taught by American Red Cross Certified Instructors. Our instructors are required to take educational updates as they become available, so they are always up-to-date on the newest techniques.

Seeing as it's summer and you might rather be outside at the pool, we have started offering Parent and Child Aquatics Level 1 & 2 and Preschool Aquatics Level 1 at Oak Knoll Wading Pool on Tuesday nights beginning June 8. These are great for children who are a little skittish about the water because the pool isn't deep.

If indoor lessons are more your thing or your child is a little more advanced, we also offer those classes indoors as well as lessons for levels 1-5 weekday mornings beginning June 7. Our Evening and Saturday lessons will start July 5 and June 26, respectively.

We have also started offering deep-water lessons for more advanced students on Sunday mornings at the Massillon City Pool. Those lessons start on June 6.

You can find information on all of our swim lessons on our web site.

Swim lessons are important and help teach your children water safety and awareness, but nothing compares to being active and playing with them. You'll be able to recognize problems before they start and could end up getting a great workout too!

Fun in the Sun Carnival

Last night was the sneak preview of our annual Fun in the Sun Carnival. Seeing all of the rides out my window makes me reminice about my childhood.

There was a similar carnival that would set up around the Cuyahoga Falls area that we went to a few times. Even though I was only 8 or so, I still remember how much fun it was. More than the rides, I remember just being outside and having fun with my family. We'd get greasy carnival food like funnel cakes and corn dogs and play those silly carnival games. I still remember when my mom, dad, sister and I challenged each other to climb the rope ladder to win a stuffed animal. None of us made it up to the top, but we sure did have a great time trying.

I think spending time with your family, no matter what you're doing, is one of the truly important and great parts in life. One of the things I love about being a recreation programmer is being able to provide these fun, family events and opportunities.

The Fun in the Sun Carnival will be at the Massillon Recreation Center Friday, May 28-Monday, May 31. Hours are 5-10 pm Friday, 1-11 pm Saturday & Sunday, and 12-8 pm on Monday. Ride tickets cost $1. Most rides require two tickets. You can also purchase a ride wristband for $15. There are 6 new rides this year! There are also carnival games and food.

Books Abound!

I don't know about you, but I am an avid reader. My favorite thing to do on my lunch break is go to the park, sit by the water and read a book. I don't read anything really worthwhile; it's more for entertainment. But given the chance, I would rather sit and read a book than watch TV.

I only read about 2 books a month, but I usually buy them and that can get pretty pricey. And I always wonder what to do with the books when I'm done since I'm not one to go back and re-read them. That's what originally gave me the idea to host a Community Book Swap at the Massillon Recreation Center. I figured I couldn't be the only one who thought that.

Turns out, I was right! We hosted our first book swap in September and collected 1244 books. Everyone who came wanted to know when we were doing another one. Spring is the perfect time so you can stock up on things to read for the summer. We have already surpassed the number of books brought in for the last book swap.

My office is almost overflowing!

We have romance novels, children's books, adult fiction and nonfiction, cook books, self-help books and almost anything else you can imagine. You can drop off your books for vouchers at the Massillon Recreation Center for the rest of the day today. Then on Thursday, you can come back and redeem your vouchers for new books. If you find more than you donated, you can also purchase books for 50 cents.

We'll definitely be hosting another book swap in September, so keep your eyes out for it!

Let's Play Campaign

My plan today was to fill you in on our Fitness Boot Camp class that starts in a few weeks. Instead, I feel compelled to take a minute to tell you about all of the activities and programs we have to keep kids of all ages active and healthy. I read an article today about childhood obesity and was just shocked by the statistics (you can read the article here).

Did you know that one in three children, ages 2-19, have been reported as being overweight and childhood obesity causes 112,000 deaths every year? I was completely stunned by those figures. I know there are a number of factors, some that are beyond our control, but getting your children active at a young age can help them develop a love of exercise and physical activity that will last a lifetime.

The secret is finding something your children are interested in. One way to do that is to try a handful of different activities until you find something they like.Our Sporties 4 Shorties class allows your preschooler to try a handful of different sports, including basketball, soccer, football, t-ball and hockey.

Once you find out what your child is good at and what they enjoy, find a program for that sport and age level to sign them up for or try to play it with them outside of organized activities.

Soccer and t-ball are huge sports for preschoolers. The rules, equipment, and field can be tailored to fit any age and skill level. You can call your local parks and recreation department or YMCA for programs in you area. Here at the Massillon Parks and Recreation Department, we offer T-ball, Soccer and Basketball for children as young as 3 years old. Our programs are taught by experienced instructors who know how to teach children that age. We also provide parents with practice guides so you can work with your children off the field.

Getting your children healthy and active doesn't have to cost money, either. It's as simple as playing outside after school or work, going for a walk around your neighborhood or taking a bike ride on the weekend. And an extra benefit of getting involved in these activities with your kids - you could get in better shape, too, and have fun while you're doing it!

A new use for Cardboard

Massillon is about 48 years behind the times...when it comes to building boats out of cardboard and packing tape, that is. But that's all about to end this year as we host our first ever Cardboard Boat Race in the pool at the Massillon Recreation Center on Friday, May 21.

I was just back in the Lifeguard Office helping the lifeguards here build a boat they plan to enter in the race and it's hilarious! The goal of the race is to build a boat that can keep you and a friend afloat during a speed test and buoyancy endurance challenge. Ages 7 and up can compete for prizes in categories like Red Hot Boat, Best In Show, Pride of the Fleet, Last Boat Standing and my personal favorite the Titanic Award for the most dramatic sinking! I think this is going to be the most fun I have ever had in the aquatics center!

The first cardboard boat race on record took place in 1962 in the design department at Southern Illinois University. Students built boats and had to sail them across a local lake as part of their design grade. You can click here to see how these college students built theirs, ask our lifeguards for tips and tricks or come up with your own design. Rules are available here. 

Students Make Massillon Beautiful

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of organizing and attending one of my favorite events: The Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony. This event means a lot to me because so many people get together to make a difference. It involves the cooperation of the Mayor, Parks and Recreation Department, the local schools and local businesses like Moyer's Nursery and Landscaping and Little Caesar's Pizza who sponsor the program through donations.

Each year, the program teaches local 3rd grade classes about the importance of trees and the significance of Arbor Day. Then a few lucky students come out to a park and help us plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day. This year, I actually learned something, too! Did you know the first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872?

On the first Arbor Day, over 1 million trees were planted. Now, the number of trees planted is closer to 8 million. It's amazing to be a part of that. Planting a tree for our Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony also helps Massillon remain a Tree City USA for the last 11 years.

As part of the ceremony, we do a tree chant of "Grow Massillon!" as we throw dirt into the hole. I think this is a great symbol of the role trees play in our lives. As we grow and mature, trees do the same. They grow bigger and stronger and can withstand storms. The kids who helped plant this tree and the Massillon Community as a whole are the same way. Years from now, all of the students who have been involved in our Tree Planting Ceremonies over the years can return to the park their tree was planted and see how the trees have grown and reflect on how they have grown too.

As Julius Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, said "Arbor Day is not like other holidays. Each of those reposes on the past, while Arbor Day proposes for the future."  I think he's saying trees symbolize hope for the future. Arbor day is this Friday. We did our ceremony a week early, but I hope our story inspires you to go out, plant a tree and help keep our city green and gorgeous!

The NEW Parks & Recreation Blog

Since Kenn has successfully completed his weight loss journey with Get Fit, Stark! and reached his goal weight of 255 lbs, I thought we should reinvent our blog. I had many ideas of what to do in it, but I finally decided to use it as a way to give everyone an inside look at our programs, events and the department as a whole.

Our new blog will include previews and personal experiences of classes and events and even take you through some of what we do to get ready for our events. It will keep you informed and updated on what is going on at the Massillon Parks and Recreation Department. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful. Please feel free to comment and make suggestions for future posts!

Thank you and Enjoy!