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Youth Programs Newsletter | March 2013 | VBgov.com/Parks 

Longer Days Mean More Park Time!


SwingingThanks to Daylight Saving Time, the sun is setting later and our City parks now stay open until 7:30 pm! For working parents, this means time for evening visits to the park and more play time for the kids!

 

Beginning on April 1, our parks with lighted amenities will remain open until 11 pm. Learn more about our City parks and find specific amenities for our staffed parks on our website.

 

See you at the park!

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See the Stars at the Mount Trashmore Star Party

Friday, March 22 | Dark - 11 pm | Mount Trashmore Park  
 

Star PartyTake your stargazing to Mount Trashmore Park on Friday, March 22 for our annual Star Party! Come and observe night sky wonders through a variety of telescopes. Learn to identify constellations in the sky as they are pointed out by planetarium coordinator Chuck Dibbs and the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers. Offered in collaboration with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Planetarium and local astronomy clubs, the event begins when the sky gets dark and goes until 11 pm.
 
A tent to experience ViewSpace will also be set up. ViewSpace is an exhibit from the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Learn more about ViewSpace. 
 
Anyone wishing to set up a telescope can also do so. The goal is to share the beauty of the night sky with anyone wishing to learn about it. Event is dependent on clear skies. Also, meet the Tidewater Alliance Star Wars Club - from a galaxy, far, far away, this fanforce will be at the event in full costume!
 
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Fun Easter Events for Kids!


Easter basketLooking for a fun way to celebrate Easter with your child? Check out the events below!

 

Munchkins Easter Extravaganza (age 5 & under with parent)
Friday, March 22 | 10 - 11:30 am | Princess Anne | $6 | Register!
Kids will enjoy the bounce house, a spring craft and an egg hunt with the Easter Bunny! 
  
Eggstra Eggstravagant Egg Event (all ages)
Saturday, March 23 | 10 am - noon | Bayville Farms Park | No cost
Kids of all ages can participate in an egg hunt at Bayville Farms, enjoy a craft project and visit with the Easter Bunny! If it rains, the event will take place at Bayside Recreation Center. This event has no cost and registration is not needed.
  
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny (age 5 & under with parent)
Wednesday, March 27 | 10 - 11:30 am | Great Neck | $6 | Register!
Your child can eat breakfast with the Easter Bunny and participate in Easter activites and crafts.
There's Still Time to Sign Up for Spring Break Camps

  

FriendsVirginia Beach City Public Schools will be on Spring Break the first week of April. While the kids may be on vacation, chances are you still have to work. Sign your child up for one of our Spring Break Camps and they'll have a blast while you have peace of mind knowing they are in good hands.

 

We offer camps in many of our recreation centers, tennis camp at Owl Creek Tennis Center, Safety Camp for 3rd graders at Great Neck Park, and we have skateboard sessions at Mount Trashmore Park! Visit our website for full camp details and to view videos of last year's camps.

 
Registration continues as space is available. Register your child online or stop by any recreation center. For more information, call (757) 385-0409 or email fun@vbgov.com.

Celebrate Japanese Culture at Cherry Blossom Festival

Saturday, April 6 | 12:30 - 4:30 pm | Red Wing Park
 

Cherry Blossom FestivalHelp us celebrate Virginia Beach's international sisterhood with Miyazaki City, Japan, at the 9th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, April 6 at Red Wing Park.

 

Enjoy the rich culture and beauty of Japanese music, martial arts, creative activities by A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, an origami display and fold-along with Rich Gray, and various demonstrations. This is a family event that allows everyone to come together and embrace the nature that surrounds us. Featured performances include a drum routine by SOKA Taiko Group.


Food and beverage are available for purchase. You are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chair for the performances. Parking and admission is free.

 

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Thinking About Summer? So Are We! 


Soccer PlayerSure, it's the middle of March and we haven't even made it to Spring Break yet, but that's not stopping us from thinking about all the great activities we'll be offering this summer! We're gearing up for another great season of Summer Camps and we hope your child will be spending some time with us. We're again offering camps in our recreation centers and in many elementary and select middle schools across the city. We also have a variety of indoor and outdoor specialty camps that range from sports and surfing to nature and magic.

 

Registration for recreation center and specialty camps began March 2 and continues as space is available. School-based camp registration begins this Saturday. Get all the details about camps and registration on our website. Summer will be here before we know it!

Need a Child Care Spending Report?


Did your child participate in any of our Out-of-School Time Programs in 2012? If you need a Child Care Spending Report for tax purposes, please complete this online request form and we'll get one mailed to you. Allow 7-10 business days for processing and delivery of your report.

Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures 

 

Bow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project. Expected re-opening is September 2014.  

 

Seatack Recreation Center will be closed through Saturday, March 17 for annual maintenance.
 

All Virginia Beach Recreation Centers will be closed on Sunday, March 31 for Easter. Parks will be open.

  

Don't forget that your membership is good at all 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.