|
A Word from the Director
This week I welcomed about 75 summer day camp employees to the GCRD team. These will be joining over 100 other employees for the summer of '08. You will see them this summer working at our waterpark, swimming pools, day camps, and maintaining our ball fields and parks all over Greenville County. We want them to enjoy their summer, have fun, earn a few bucks, and keep our kids safe. By the way, they don't earn a lot, so thank them for their service when you have the opportunity. We appreciate the great job they do.
Executive Director
|
| Salute to Soldiers Day
The neighborhood came out in the hundreds on May 21 to celebrate "Salute to Soldiers Day" at Freetown Community Center. Program participants included the ROTC Drill Team from Southside High, a Boy Scout Troop from Friendship Baptist Church, and members of the Charles F. Gandy VFW Post 6734.
|
|
|
| What's Happening this Summer? |
 Our Program Division staff is taking a breather over the summer from special event planning. Instead, they are busy running 22 summer day camps countywide. By the end of August our summer daycamps will have served thousands of area youth ages 6-18. In addition to providing young people with great times and memorable experiences, our camps offer parents close to home activities for their children which translates to more gas in the tank, something everyone is interested in these days. Openings are still available for some locations.
Call 288-6470 for more details.
|
| Getting in the GREEN |
 Many park systems across the country have gotten rid of waste containers and are asking visitors to "pack out" their trash. While we are not there yet in our parks we would still like you to consider ways to help us cross that bridge someday. When you pack your lunch for the park today how about using:
*Reusable containers instead of plastic wrap
*A refillable drink bottle
*A cloth napkin
*Reusable utensils
|
| Did you KNOW... |
That you may redeem your admission receipt from Discovery Island and your pool admission receipts from Westside or Lakeside at the Pavilion and ice skate for just $1 this summer?
That the Greenville County Library System is offering Pavilion passes as incentives to kids who read this summer? |
| All Summer Long |
Save gas and plan a "Staycation". How you ask, by taking advantage of numerous activities we offer over the summer months.
 *Discovery Island Family Water Park is open seven days a week and is a great outing for all ages. There is shade for the spectators, great food in our concessions area, and tons of fun for the more daring.
*As it heats up outside, spend an afternoon with the family chilling down on the ice rink at the Pavilion.
 *Escape to the mountains. Plan an outing to Pleasant Ridge Park for a picnic and dip in the cool lake. Don't forget your fishing rod. The entire family will enjoy our pedal boats and kayaks.
*Our pools at Lakeside and Westside Parks are open 7 days a week for your swimming enjoyment. |
| A New Recreation Partner |
| Greenville County Recreation District has formed a partnership with Greenville Tech. As a result of this, we are now able to better serve the northwest corridor of Greenville County. Funding from the Hospitality tax has enabled the Recreation District to begin building a new park at Greenville Tech's Northwest Campus. The plans include two football/soccer/lacrosse fields; four little league fields; and a collegiate size baseball field and other park amenities. The complex is slated for completion next year. |
| Thank Heavens for HOGS |
 HOG Day at Camp Spearhead left the camp more than spiffed up for the hundreds of campers who start their summer adventures this month. 575 volunteers from General Electric recently painted, scrubbed, clipped, mulched, repaired cabins, and completed countless other tasks to help ready the facility for the June-August program. A big thank you goes out to the GE employees, who have always been special friends of Camp Spearhead, for their hard work. |
| Congratulations to Some Special People |
 The State of South Carolina has inducted four representatives from the Upstate into the South Carolina Senior Sports Classic Hall of Fame. They include: Former House of Representative Member James Mann, George Martin, Dr. Josephine Sullivan, Fred Owens, and Al Nellis. Each of these individuals has participated over the years in the Recreation District's annual Senior Sports Classic. They are recognized for their commitment and dedication to health and fitness.
|
| Greenville Hospital System |
| A new partnership with GHS will help the District expand its day camp this summer to include a program for Hispanic youth. Many thanks to GHS for its generous $5,000 gift toward operational expenses. The camp will also offer an outreach program for parents facilitated by Clemson University on nutrition and healthy cooking.
The Greenville Hospital System has also launched a newly created scholarship fund with a $2,500 gift to help send children who need financial assistance to District summer day damps. The fund is housed through the Greenville Community Foundation. Contributions will help channel youth who live in at risk neighborhoods into a highly structured summer program with supervision from excellent role models.
If you would like to donate, you can do so online through Greenville Community Foundation. Thanks in advance for your generosity. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earthquake Victims ...
There's more going on at the Pavilion these days than ice skating and tennis. Members of the Greenville Table Tennis Club recently held a huge tournament complete with silent auction. The $1,696 raised by the event was donated to the Red Cross for victims of the recent earthquake in China.
|
|
|
|
