April 23, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

Starting as soon as this weekend, there are camps and clinics coming up that should be on your calendar if you have active kids.

“You absolutely should be planning for summer,” said Tristen Jackson, GreatLIFE’s PLAY Everything coordinator.

“With the pandemic, some people were more reluctant and didn’t sign up, but now that vaccination is increasing, we’re seeing more interest and anticipating that’s going to increase.”

Spring clinics

April 24: Fitness & Nutrition

This clinic runs from 10 to 11 a.m. at GreatLIFE’s fitness center at 41st and Sertoma.

Designed for kids age 10-14, it will cover topics such as healthy eating habits, healthy snacks and ways to stay active beyond working out.

“They will get into a little bit of how to structure a meal plan, and they will play some games and probably end with taking the kids through a small workout,” Jackson said.

“It’s a good fit for kids who are just getting interested in fitness and know they need to eat healthy and to put on muscle and be athletic and stay in shape.”

Cost: $30 for GreatLIFE members and $45 nonmembers.

May 15: Hitting & Fielding

This clinic runs from 10 a.m. to noon and will be held on the turf at Air Madness in Harrisburg.

It’s designed for kids age 8-13.

Cost: $60 for members and $75 for nonmembers.

May 22: Golf

This clinic runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at Willow Run Golf Course.

It’s designed for kids age 8-13.

Cost: $60 for members and $75 for nonmembers.

“This is more for a beginner level – kids who are on traveling teams will be a little past it, so it’s more for kids you want to introduce to the sport,” Jackson said.

Summer camps

This summer will be filled with GreatLIFE’s PLAY Everything camps – but you’ll want to start planning now.

“I’m definitely anticipating some programs could fill up. We did early registration and have signups across the camps already,” Jackson said.

“These are geared more toward beginning to intermediate levels, and we have definitely created an inviting environment. It’s really good for kids who are on the fence and not sure if they want to continue playing basketball or football in the future. They can try it and see if they like it.”

There will be camps held in basketball, football and soccer beginning in May and running through August. Click here for a full rundown of camps. 

A few new additions this year include soccer coaching by Dakota Young Stars, founded in 2013, which is a locally based member of the United Premier Soccer League, and basketball coaching by Surafel Berhanie, who is headed to Dakota College in North Dakota to play basketball this coming school year.

Each camp is capped around 30 participants. Email [email protected] to sign up.

“Last year when we started putting out these camps, people began signing up right away, and they filled really fast, so we definitely encourage families to start planning now,” Jackson said.