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Youth Programs Newsletter | October 2011 | VBgov.com/Parks 
Please Note: Course registration and EZreg will be unavailable from 8 pm, Tuesday, October 25 until 6 am, Wednesday, October 26 due to a computer system upgrade.
Get in the Spirit with Our Haunted Walk  

Saturday, October 29, 6 to 8 pm | 2249 North Landing Road 


West NeckIf you're feeling adventurous, sign up for the 4th Annual Haunted Walk at West Neck Creek Natural Area on Saturday, October 29 from 6-8 pm. This program is spooky rather than scary, and allows you and the family to meet some traditional Halloween animals that live in our area. We'll continue on to the Whitehurst-Buffington house for stories around the bonfire and fun children's activities. Legend has it the house is haunted by a child-friendly ghost; come see what you think! 

Register today for our 4th annual walk! The cost is just $2/person.  
Middle Schoolers Invited to Lock-In 
December 9-10 | Kempsville Recreation Center     

  

Teen DetectiveVirginia Beach students in 6th through 8th grade are invited to become junior detectives and help solve the mystery of the 11th Annual Youth Doing Awesome Things (YDAT) Lock-In. From 9:30 pm, Friday, December 9 to 7:00 am Saturday, December 10, the young detectives will canvas the scene of the crime and attempt to figure out the identity of the criminal while participating in interactive sessions. The sessions will address the dangers and consequences of negative decisions, drinking, driving, and other issues young teens may face today. The students must solve the mystery by speaking to the suspects and searching for clues! While interrogating the suspects, junior detectives will see into the suspects' pasts and how drugs, tobacco, negative decisions, and bad behavior interrupted their lives as youths. 
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Upcoming Events

10/28 | Movie in the Pool: Hocus Pocus | Princess Anne

 

11/4 | Movie in the Pool: Megamind | Princess Anne

 

11/4 | Movie Night: Pirates of the Caribbean 4 | Bayside

 

11/5-6 | Santa's Stocking Old Fashioned Craft Bazaar | Kempsville

 

11/5 | Float-a-Rama | Great Neck    

 

11/19-20 | Santa's Stocking Old Fashioned Craft Bazaar | Kempsville  

This year's theme is "Got a Clue?" In addition to recreational periods, snacks, and prizes, the junior detectives will be exercising their Sherlock Holmes-like skills with clues provided by characters of the popular board game, "Clue." Their help is needed to figure out the perpetrator in this mystery. Junior detectives will be assigned to a task force and will participate in teambuilding exercises to ensure searching efforts. They will also receive a t-shirt and notepad to enhance their detective work. Can they solve the mystery before the perpetrator makes another move?

The Lock-In costs only $5 and is coordinated by the Mayor's Youth Leaders in Action in partnership with Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation and the Virginia Beach Youth Opportunities Office.

Register by November 27. 

Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating   
 
Trick-or-TreatersGhosts, witches and vampires take to the streets on Monday, October 31 in celebration of Halloween. Trick-or-Treat begins at dusk and ends at 8 pm for children 12 years of age and younger in Virginia Beach.
 
If you are passing out treats, please turn your porch light on so children will know they are welcome at your door. If you are not passing out treats, please turn your porch light off to avoid being called upon.

Fun fact: Virginia Beach was rated one of the Top 20 Best Cities for Trick-or-Treating by real estate website Zillow!   
 
Listed below are a few Halloween safety tips provided by the Virginia Beach Emergency Response System: 
  • Wear light-colored clothing that is labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant and is short enough to prevent tripping. Also, add reflectors or glow-in-the-dark safety stickers for higher visibility.
  • Make sure children can see clearly through face masks or better yet, use face paint or makeup instead of a mask.
  • Carry a lightweight flashlight in case one is needed. Try to stay on well-lit streets.
  • Accompany young children, especially if they are under the age of eight. If you cannot accompany them, have them go with a group of other children. NEVER let them go alone.
  • Watch out for traffic and only cross at corners. Be careful not to cross between parked cars.
  • Let your family know ahead of time what route and streets you plan to travel.
  • Take along a fully charged cell phone, or a personal 2-way radio in case of an emergency.
  • Stay within your neighborhood and visit only the homes where you know the people.
  • Use sidewalks where available. If sidewalks aren't available, walk facing traffic.
  • Have children wait until they get home to eat their goodies so you can examine their treats before allowing them to be eaten.
  • Accept only wrapped or packaged candy.
No School? No Worries! Camps Available at Rec Centers

  

OST FriendsVirginia Beach schools will be closed for a staff day on Tuesday, November 8 and for Winter Break on December 27, 28, 29 & 30. If you have to be at work, have your child spend the day at one of our recreation centers where they're sure to have a blast!

Our camps run from 7 am to 6 pm and the day is filled with fun activities like sports, games and arts & crafts. If your child is currently enrolled in one of our before or after school programs, the cost is $25 for the day. For those not currently enrolled in a program, the cost is $35.

Register your child online, or stop by any recreation center. For more information, call 385-0409 or email fun@vbgov.com.  
Boys and Girls Youth Basketball Registration

Saturday, October 29 & Saturday, November 5 | Locations Vary  

 

Girls BasketballNeighborhood Recreation Associations will hold youth basketball registration on Saturday, October 29 and Saturday, November 5. View specific locations and registration times here. Note the following:
  • Recreation Associations charge a registration fee.
  • Online registration is encouraged where available.
  • Proof of age is required.
    • Leagues sponsored by Parks and Recreation are open to ages 10-18 (age as of Dec. 31, 2011).
    • Most areas sponsor leagues for children under age 10 as well.
  • Players must be a Virginia Beach resident and attend school (K-12) to be eligible. High school varsity and junior varsity basketball players are not eligible.
For more details, call City-Wide Athletics at 385-0458, or email fun@vbgov.com.
Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures 

 

The pool at Seatack Recreation Center will be closed for renovations until late November.

 

All Virginia Beach Recreation Centers and Owl Creek Tennis Center will be closed on November 11 for Veteran's Day. They will also be closed on November 24-25 for Thanksgiving.  

 

Don't forget that your membership is good at all six Virginia Beach Recreation Centers! If your usual center is closed for maintenance, take the opportunity to visit another center. Use this locator to help you find one!

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If your child requires additional support, we can help.  Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services.
We welcome your comments and questions.  Feel free to email us at fun@vbgov.com.
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Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.