VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Valley City Parks and Recreation is excited to announce a new program for the youth in Valley City. Learn Excite Activity Play (L.E.A.P.) program will be available for all students grades 1st-6th. The program will take place through the school year, from 3 PM- 5:30 PM Monday- Friday at the Rec. Center (140 4th St. SW). While in the program, kids will have different areas to participate in such as the Learning Lab, Activity Time and Creation Station.
But, VCPR Director Tyler Jacobson said due to declining enrollment, Valley City Parks and Recreation has made the difficult decision to no longer run elementary recreation programs (flag football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cross country and track) during the school year. The decreasing participation numbers over the years in Valley City have hindered the ability to effectively run these programs. Valley City Parks and Recreation is taking this as an opportunity to start L.E.A.P. for the youth in our community.
In the Learning Lab kids will be able to work on homework, reading and any potential school work that needs to get done. This will really be a time where kids can have some quiet time and get help from our staff as needed. Kids will also have access to Wi-Fi for their school iPads. During Activity Time, there will be different organized recreational activities for kids to participate in. The activities will range from structured games like basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, etc. to fitness classes and (weather permitting) outdoor activities. He said this time will be utilized to get the kids up and active.
The Creation Station is time where kids can be creative and express themselves. He said the staff will have art projects, science and problem-solving activities, challenges and different interactive exercises planned during this time. Flexible Friday will be another part of our L.E.A.P. program. On Flexible Friday kids will be able to bring in approved electronics, there will be popcorn and movies to watch and give the kids an opportunity to wind-down after a long week.
Jacobson said the Valley City Parks and Recreation’s goal for L.E.A.P. is to be able to continue to provide safe and structured activities for youth in our community. For years, kids have been coming through our different programs to experience and try new activities as well as to socialize and be active. By creating this new program, we are catering to more kids by providing something more than just sports based activities. If you would be interested in our L.E.A.P. program, please fill out the following survey.
Jacobson said we would love to get your input on how to make our L.E.A.P. program the best we can.
Check out their website (vcparks.com, under Youth Activities, click on L.E.A.P. tab), Twitter (@VCParkRec), Instagram (@vcpr701) and Facebook (Valley City Parks and Recreation) as more information becomes available.