Youth Programs Newsletter | February 2014 | VBgov.com/Parks

If all the snow and cold weather is giving you a touch of the winter blues, it's a great time to think ahead to spring with our Spring Programs & Activities Catalog! The new catalog is now available online. Register in person at any recreation center or with EZreg.

Mark your calendar for summer camp registration which begins March 15 for Recreation Center and Specialty Summer Camps. Registration for School-Based Summer Camps is March 29.

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Need a Child Care Spending Report?

Did your child participate in any of our Out-of-School Time Programs in 2013? 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.

Nominate Outstanding Youth & Adults for Best All Around

Best All Around

Do you know youth who demonstrate exceptional leadership, exhibit courage in overcoming adversity, or who promote education or change around social issues? Do you know adults who contribute to the community with outstanding and inspirational work with youth? Is there a business or organization that has created a culture of support and involvement with youth?

If so, consider nominating them for one of Virginia Beach's Best All Around Awards. Completed nominations are due by March 22.

Nominees must be in one of four categories:

1. Youth who live in Virginia Beach and are enrolled in grades 1-12;

2. Youth groups whose focus of activities is in Virginia Beach;

3. Adults who volunteer or work with Virginia Beach youth (such as a coach, teacher, mentor, social worker, etc.); or

4. Businesses or organizations located in or operating primarily in Virginia Beach.

The criteria for Virginia Beach's Best All Around awards are based on the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets�, which are positive experiences and personal qualities that help young people grow up to be healthy, principled and caring adults. The nomination form requires a single typed page which provides examples of the nominee's work in developing the 40 Developmental Assets�.

The Best All Around program is sponsored by the Virginia Beach Youth Opportunities Office and Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation. Help us recognize youth and adults who are making a difference in our community!

Parks & Rec Programs Impacted by VBCPS Make-Up Days

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Virginia Beach City Public Schools announced that they will be holding make up classes on Saturdays February 15, March 29 and April 26. As a result, some Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation programs are being adjusted as follows:

City-Wide Athletic League youth games scheduled for Saturday, February 15 have been cancelled. One make-up day was scheduled into the season, which was assigned to the games that were missed on February 1. Unfortunately, there is not an additional make-up day built into our program that will accommodate the games we will lose on February 15. Games for March and April have yet to be scheduled. Sports Management staff can be reached at 757-385-0458 or fun@vbgov.com.

The Winter Swim League championship meet schedule has been changed.

The meet scheduled for Friday, February 14 (ages 11-17) will be held as previously planned. Swimmers should report to Great Neck Recreation Center at 5 pm.
The meets scheduled for Saturday, February 15 will be held Sunday, February 16 at Great Neck Recreation Center: Swimmers ages 6-8 should report at 9 am; Swimmers ages 9 & 10 should report at 1 pm. Aquatic Unit staff can be reached at 757-385-0449 or fun@vbgov.com.

We will not be offering Out-of-School Time programs on the VBCPS make-up days. As a result, accounts will be credited to those participants who were registered for session #11 (Jan 27-31; Feb 3-7). Credits will be applied by the end of February. View credit amount by program here.

Note that Preschool Buddies at Kempsville, Princess Anne and Williams Farm Recreation Centers is a program which follows the recreation center schedule. Like other recreation center programs, such as memberships and group fitness classes, Preschool Buddies is not pro-rated and credits are not provided when the facility closes due to inclement weather. Therefore, a credit will not be applied for the two days that Preschool Buddies was not held. Out-of-School Time program staff can be reached at 757-385-0400 or fun@vbgov.com with any questions.

Play Ball! Get Ready for Girls Softball Registration

Get your daughter involved in team sports! Neighborhood Recreation Associations will hold girls softball registration on Saturday, February 22 and Saturday, March 1. Note that the original date of February 15 was rescheduled to accommodate adjusted schedules at Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Registration sites and times are available here. Practices begin April 1 and the season runs from early May to mid-July.

Please 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 May 1, 2014).
- Most areas sponsor leagues for children under 10.
- Some areas also offer boys baseball.
Players must be a Virginia Beach resident and attend school (K-12) to be eligible.
High school varsity and junior varsity softball players are not eligible.

For more details, call City-Wide Athletics at 385-0458, or email fun@vbgov.com.

Family Game Night at Princess Anne Rec Center

This year marks the 50th anniversary of our Out-of-School Time Programs and this month we're celebrating with a free Family Game Night at Princess Anne Recreation Center. Bring the whole family out on Friday, February 28 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm for life size Connect Four, cornhole, Wii™ Sports games, arts & crafts, and an assortment of board & card games. A membership or day pass is not required for this free event. Those under age 9 must be supervised by someone age 16 or older. For more information contact Out-of-School Time Programs at 757-385-0400 or email fun@vbgov.com.

Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

Bow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project.

The pool at Great Neck Recreation Center will be closed February 17 - 19 for installation of ADA railing.

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.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.