Parks and Recreation Summer Programs A Success ... And They're Not Done Yet

August 1 on the calendar usually means the summer is wining down but not so fast says Lisa Zerio, Parks and Recreation Department head. 

Zerio points out that there are many more events to look forward to this summer.

She pointed out on the urgency side that Wednesday, Aug. 31 is the last day for people in town to register their children for youth soccer.

"People tend to forget that you have to register for fall soccer in the summer," Zerio said. "After that deadline, the families will have to pay a late fee but they will be placed on a team."

This Thursday, a terrific band based in Berlin, Avenue Groove, will play as part of the weekly concert series. Next Wednesday, Dec8dia will be on the stage at Elm Ridge Park. Both concerts begin at 6:30.

The movies also continue on Friday night and have been successful according to Zerio.

"The weather has not been good for the concert series this summer as we've had to cancel a couple," Zerio said. "But when we have had them they have been very well-attended. 

"The movies continue but we are looking to make a major change in the future. It tends to get a little buggy back there so we are trying to figure out a way to make it like a drive-in movie. We would need some station to broadcast the sound so you could watch the movie in your car or outside. It would be nice to give people a choice when it gets buggy." 

Zerio said getting through the hottest August in the history of the state was quite the chore.

"It is great that we have the indoor and outdoor pool to keep the kids cool," she said. "We have the outdoor pool for the families and the indoor pool for the kids in the Summerscape program at Rocky Hill High School. 

"You can tell the campers to drink, drink, drink water all day long but you really have to make sure they have a chance to cool down during the days. We were also able to bring them into the auditorium and let them watch movies which was a cool activity. Our first job was to keep them safe from the heat and the staff did a great job." 

There are many construction jobs going on at the schools but Zerio is involved in the process and has been able to move events around because she is in the know about the latest on each project.

One of the highlights of the summer is next Thursday, August 8 is the Summerscape Talent Show at 7 p.m. at the Rocky Hill auditorium. The public is invited. 

Once Summerscape is over, there will be a "Camp Rocks" program. Zerio described it as a mini-Summerscape. It will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rocky Hill Community Center. 

There will also be a soccer camp, run by British Summer Camps. 

All programs, descriptions, fees and registration can be found at the Parks and Recreation website.