THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607130070
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
LENGTH: 300 lines
THE POPULAR GERSHWIN song says, ``It's summertime and the livin' is easy.''
That's especially true if you're in Chesapeake and are looking for something to do during the long, hot days of summer.
There's plenty here to keep family members entertained, inspired, informed and busy.
Here's a look at some of the activities, programs and events taking place in Chesapeake this summer. Teen volunteers
The American Red Cross in Portsmouth/West Chesapeake is looking for a few good teenagers. The non-profit organization is recruiting teenagers 17 and older for volunteer instructor positions for their baby-sitting and first aid courses.
``It's a chance for them to get involved in their community,'' said Regina C. Clemons, youth coordinator for the organization.
The idea, Clemons said, is to train teens in the hope that they will go out in their community and teach others.
Teens in low-income communities are especially encouraged to participate. ``That's where our greatest need is,'' Clemons said.
Teens who volunteer under the Summer Youth Enrichment Program will have the registration fee waived, Clemons said. In addition, books and materials will be provided by the Red Cross.
``The future of any organization is getting the youth to participate. To volunteer,'' she said.
Teen instructors are needed for the following courses:
``Till Help Arrives'' - A safety education program for youth ages 11 and older. ``The instructor will teach the children everything they need to know to get assistance in an emergency,'' Clemons said.
``Basic Aid Training'' - Training for children ages 5 to 8.
``Baby-sitting'' - A training course for young baby-sitters.
More information on the Red Cross Summer Youth Enrichment Program is available by calling 393-1031. Picnic packs
Summer is a time for picnics, and you can be guaranteed a good one by renting a picnic pack from any Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department community center.
Each pack includes a Frisbee, a whiffle ball and bat, bases, horseshoes and other items to keep everyone entertained after the fried chicken and potato salad run out.
You must be at least 18 to rent one, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $5 a pack. Summer reading
Summer reading programs are in full swing at all of Chesapeake's public libraries.
``The reading clubs are very popular,'' said Martha Cole, children's librarian at Chesapeake Central Library. ``Attendance is up each summer. We see at least a 10 percent rise in attendance each year.''
Even though the children's summer reading program began on June 20 and 21 with special events at all six Chesapeake libraries, you can still sign up your child at any branch.
The program is easy. Parents can sign up their children at any library branch.
``This year's theme is `Choose Your Own Adventure,' with the premise being that any book will allow a child to go on a special adventure,'' Cole said.
After a child finishes a book, he or she will have its title and author written in a special log, and the child will have the opportunity to grab a small prize from a treasure chest.
The children will take away something even more valuable than prizes.
``Studies have shown that children who read during the summer are at least on the same level scholastically as they were when school ended in June,'' Cole said. ``And these children are above those who don't read during the summer. This is especially true with beginning readers.''
The program also offers weekly story sessions, special entertaining programs at each branch and an end-of-the-summer finale at each library, featuring Blackbeard the Pirate on Aug. 13 or 15. (Check with your local branch library for exact date and time.)
The Young Adult Summer Reading Club, for children in grades 6, 7 and 8, begins on Monday and ends on Aug. 13. Club members will read five books and then meet at the Western Branch library, 2808 Taylor Road, each Thursday at 10 a.m. to discuss the books.
Prizes will be awarded at each discussion.
Register by dropping by the Russell branch or calling 465-0949.
Adults can get in on some summer reading fun, too. All Chesapeake public libraries are offering a free adult summer reading club.
Each member will have his or her completed books registered on reading logs. Members can aspire to four different Olympic reading levels, depending on how many books are completed during the summer.
The categories are as follows:
Olympic - Three books chosen from one category.
Bronze - Six books chosen from three categories.
Silver - Nine books from six categories.
Gold - 12 books from nine categories.
Titles can be chosen from an array of subjects or categories including mystery, westerns, science-fiction, biography, fitness/health, history, business, heavenly inspiration, sports, romance, science, travel, humor and others.
A special program or reception for adult reading club members will take place in September at the Central Library. There will be a drawing for a bag full of books.
More information on any of these programs is available by calling any branch library: Central at 436-8300; Greenbrier at 436-7400; Indian River at 420-5804; Russell at 465-0949; South Norfolk at 545-2436; or Major Hillard at 485-1543. Wetting a hook
More than 100 young people will be invited to throw a line into the lake at Northwest River Park Aug. 11 for Chesapeake Children's Fishing Day.
But Park Supervisor Bill Petree said the youngsters hoping to take part in the annual event will have to earn their spots.
``It gives an introduction to sport fishing,'' said Petree. ``It also gives them an opportunity to be rewarded for things that they're doing well.''
The questions on the application for the event ask for more than name, address and telephone number. It asks things like, ``Why do you want to go fishing?'' and ``What have you done for your community to deserve a day of fun?''
Petree said spots for the event will be filled according to the best responses. Organizers may even follow through with a phone call to verify the children's answers.
``We want to see that they're doing good in their community,'' said Petree.
Fishing Day was the brainchild of John and Fran Scopelliti, a pair of Great Bridge fishing enthusiasts who organized the first event nine years ago with some fishing friends.
The program was started soon after the couple lost one of their sons at the age of 26. John Scopelliti will not discuss the loss, but admitted, ``I guess that had something to do with it.''
At first children of all ages were invited to participate. When the park agreed to be host of the event five years ago, the ages of participants were limited and more services, equipment and support were added to the program.
This included support members of local fishermen, who volunteer their time and boats and expertise. Petree said they will take the children out onto the water and teach the finer points of fishing and conservation. Others stay ashore and show children the ins and outs of fishing the park's pond.
A lot of the children who come to the event are city dwellers, said Petree. They haven't had the access to nature that the park offers. The park supervisor said the event is also a good introduction to a great local resource: Northwest River Park.
``I think we've seen the last generation of parents who teach their kids about nature come and go,'' said Scopelliti. ``These kids get a chance to see an eagle fly over their head or happen upon a white-tailed deer.''
Applications for the event are available at the park or at local community centers. They are due July 21.
Participating children will receive a free T-shirt, hat and a rod and reel combo. Free busing will be available at community centers to and from the park. Lunch is also free.
More information is available by calling the park at 421-7151. Sky watching
If star-gazing sounds like fun to you, you should know that the Chesapeake Planetarium in the Chesapeake Municipal Center off Cedar Road will schedule free Thursday evening programs during August.
Planetarium director Robert Hitt will present ``When Worlds Collide,'' a look at all the objects and meteors that enter the Earth's atmosphere during the summer months.
The program is free, but participants should call 547-0153 to make the necessary reservations. Vacation Bible schools
Many area churches conduct summer programs that offer music, crafts, missions, Bible study and fellowship to children and adults.
The following programs are free and open to the public, but most churches would appreciate a call to register for the week.
``Ready, Set, Roll'' is the theme of the children's program at Fairview Baptist Church's summer session Aug. 19-23.
``It is designed to keep the children rolling with laughter, learning and love,'' Pastor Gary H. McClenney said. ``Elmo, the human-size puppet, and his friend, Renee Foxx, will punctuate the learning process with his humorous, loving personality. All children will love this program.''
Special music, puppet shows, skits and the teaching of God's salvation will be available for children from kindergarten age through sixth grade.
Transportation will also be provided for those who need it. More information is available by calling the church office at 543-3238.
Oaklette United Methodist Church will invite children and adults to ``Come Follow Jesus'' through crafts, activities, refreshments and Bible study July 29-Aug. 2.
The program will run from 6 to 9 p.m. so that more families will have the opportunity to participate. Call the church office at 545-7434 for more details.
Grace Bible Church will offer a course of study in evangelism for children and adults July 29-Aug. 2 from 6:30 until 7:45 p.m. Carolyn Buck, a speaker for the Tidewater Child Evangelism Fellowship Chapter, and Steve Battaglia, director of the Greater Richmond Child Evangelism Fellowship Chapter, will speak.
``We invite our neighbors and community members to attend,'' said Bruce W. Stutzman, the pastor. ``This will be a week of fun, missions, songs and crafts.''
Call Grace Bible Church at 488-6778 for more information.
Many other community churches also offer Vacation Bible School programs, so call your local church to check on their summer plans.
The biggest and the best playground anywhere is right here in Chesapeake. Fun Forest
Fun Forest, located in Chesapeake City Park, offers more than three acres of swings, slides, tunnels, gardens, nature trails and even shady places to read, picnic or doze. And it's all free.
The park is a blend of science, entertainment, discovery, whimsy and natural beauty designed for children and adults of all ages. There's swinging turtles, a serpent a tube slide, a dinosaur dig, a pavilion for storytelling, a castle, a pirate ship, a stage for presentations and a concession stand for refreshments.
Fun Forest is also the largest handicapped-accessible park on the East Coast. The maze, slides, picnic tables and benches are big enough to accommodate wheelchairs. Walkways are also designed for walkers, crutches and canes. There is a special swing for upper body strength, and a sandbox on legs for children in wheelchairs. Craft show for seniors
The Chesapeake Senior Center is looking for crafts makers ages 55 and older to show their wares at the ``Christmas in July Craft Show,'' which will be held at the center July 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The registration date is just a day away. To reserve a table, contact the center Monday at 543-9211, Ext. 620.
There is no registration fee to secure a table.
``This is a really good show for someone who's beginning,'' said Kelly T. Mack, a recreation supervisor at the center. ``At some other show there's an entry fee.''
There should be some familiar faces for regulars at the center's arts and crafts shows. About half of the tables will be filled by show regulars, like Tess Powell, a Chesapeake Senior Center regular who makes heavy-duty decorative garden flags from nylon.
Craft shows are as much about community as they are dollars and cents for Powell, who said she gives away 20 flags for every one she sells.
``It's a fun day,'' said the flag maker, who was born and raised in Chesapeake, but now lives in Kempsville. ``It gets us out of the house. I see people I haven't seen in years.''
The Chesapeake Senior Center holds two crafts shows each year. This is the first for 1996. The second show will be held in November. Northwest River Park
Canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, camping, fishing, miniature golf or picnicking - if it's outdoors, chances are that Northwest River Park can accommodate it.
Open all year, the 763-acre river-front and lake-front site offers a broad selection of recreational activities. There are provisions for the handicapped available for many activities.
The park is located at 1733 Indian Creek Road off South Battlefield Boulevard near Hickory. For more information, call 421-7151. Adventure for youth
Northwest River Park is offering teens ages 12-15 three outdoor excursions in its ``Teen Adventure in the Park'' series this summer.
The program kicks off with a ropes and initiative course Aug. 8, followed by a canoe trip to Moyock Aug. 22. A pontoon boat ride is slated for Sept. 29. The cost is $50 per teenager and includes transportation, equipment, lunch and a qualified instructor.
The program was scheduled to begin in June, offering a lineup of rappelling, canoeing and rock climbing, but the first half of the program was canceled due to a poor turnout. Park officials hope there will be more interest in the second series of events.
``I have a few people signed up already, but there's lots of space available,'' said Tom Rummel, park programmer. ``It's a very good opportunity for teens.''
The $50 fee is due by Aug. 5. Applications are available in the ``Spare Times'' newspaper or by calling Northwest River Park at 421-7151. Youth recreation
Sponsored by the city's department of parks and recreation, ``Playtime'' and ``Teentime'' are successful programs that provide an array of supervised child and teen activities at community centers and schools.
Established five years ago and running from June until mid-August, the two programs have more than 10,000 participants.
``It's a full-force summer experience,'' said Cherlynn Fagerheim, recreation specialist with the city. ``We get more and more kids every season.''
``Playtime'' is designed for children ages 6-11 and features games, arts and crafts, music and drama. Presentations include magic and balloon shows along with fire-prevention and reading seminars.
The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 16. and is being held at Crestwood Middle School, Southwestern Elementary School and Deep Creek, Indian River, River Crest, South Norfolk, Western Branch and Great Bridge community centers.
``Teentime'' is geared for teens ages 12-17 and has a less structured format than ``Playtime.'' Activities include basketball, baseball and water sports, along with weekly field trips to destinations such as Wild Water Rapids, the Virginia Marine Science Museum and Northwest River Park. Guest speakers include pro athletes and chefs from Johnson & Wales University. ``Teentime'' runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 16 and is being held at the community centers only.
Nearly all ``Playtime'' and ``Teentime'' activities are free, except for field trips, which cost from $6 to $11 per person. Participants can sign up for either program at any of the community centers. Call 382-8465 for more information. MEMO: Staff writers Eric Feber, Susan Smith, Jennifer O'Donnell, Scott
McCaskey and John-Henry Doucette contributed to this story. ILLUSTRATION: A SUMMER OF FUN
[Cover, Color photo]
Photos, including the cover, by GARY C. KNAPP
Jayme Hazzard, a 17-year-old senior at Indian River High School,
teaches swimming at the YMCA on Old Greenbrier Road.
As part of a Parks and Recreation program, youngsters go bowling.
They are, from left: Margie Baker, Lamont Jefferson and Jerrod
McDuffie.
Making ice cream sundaes at River Crest Community Center are, from
left: Ernest Wood, Breun White, Jerrod McDuffie and J.P. Allen. by CNB