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

Longer Days Mean More Park Time!

 

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

 

Beginning on April 1, our parks with lighted amenities will remain open until 11 pm.

Discover new parks, or search for specific amenities using ParkFinder! 
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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.
Celebrate Japanese Culture at Cherry Blossom Festival
Saturday, March 29 | (New Time) 3:30 - 6:30 pm | Red Wing Park  
 
Drummers Join us for the 10th anniversary of our annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Sister Cities of Virginia Beach and Miyazaki, Japan, invite you to Red Wing Park to celebrate spring, peace, and goodwill during the cherry blossom season. This festival features traditional Japanese music, arts, and culture while promoting natural beauty and community spirit 

Admission and parking is free. Food and beverage are available for purchase. You are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chair for the performances. #VBCherryBlossom 
 
Event Features 
- Arts & Crafts by A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts (Birchwood Shopping Center) 
- Koto & Sanshin Musical Performances 
- Drum Routine by SOKA Taiko Group 
- Martial Arts Demonstrations 
- Origami, Pottery & Bonsai Activities and Demos 
- Tea Samples at the Azumaya
Touch-A-Truck Event Puts Kids in the Driver's Seat

Saturday, April 5 | 12 pm - 3 pm | Princess Anne Recreation Center 

 

Bring the kids out to experience the thrill of sitting in a fire truck, an ambulance or a big recycling truck! Roll on up to Touch-A-Truck at Princess Anne Recreation Center on Saturday, April 5 between noon and 3 pm for this FREE event. Lots of trucks will be featured, including the Virginia Beach Fire Department's monster truck, a police car, a street sweeper, dump truck and more! 

 

Other attractions include face painting, children's craft activities, and a DJ. The first 100 kids age 12 and under will receive a prize. 

 

 
See the Stars at Mount Trashmore Star Party
Saturday, April 5 | Dark - 11 pm | Mount Trashmore Park  
 
Star Party Take your stargazing to Mount Trashmore Park on Saturday, April 5 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. Hot chocolate will be available for purchase. Also, meet the Tidewater Alliance Star Wars Club - from a galaxy, far, far away, this fanforce will be at the event in full costume! #VBStarParty
 
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Ready for Spring Break? Day Camps Available
 
Tennis Camp Virginia Beach City Public Schools will be on Spring Break April 14-18. 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 previous years' camps. 
Looking Ahead: Summer Camp & 2014-15 School Year

Summer Camps  
Sure, 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 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. Check out this video to see a preview of what's to come!

Registration for recreation center and specialty camps begins this Saturday, March 15. School-based camp registration begins Saturday, March 29. Get all the details about camps and registration on our website. Summer will be here before we know it!
2014-15 School Year Programs
Registration for the upcoming school year programs will begin on Saturday, May 17. We're still finalizing all of our school sites, so look for more information in the coming weeks.  

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 April 4.  

 

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!
Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

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

 
Seatack Recreation Center will be closed through March 16 for annual maintenance. The pool may remain closed through March 23.

 

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.