One of Ella Harris Park’s baseball fields will be the setting for the USA Sports Group’s fall sports squirts camp in September and October.
The Harrison Township Recreation Commission is once again partnering with USA Sports Group to host the fall sports squirts camp for kids ages 2-and-a-half to 5-and-a-half.
The camp will take place at Ella Harris Park, the open area adjacent to Route 77, on Thursdays from Sept. 11 to Oct. 30. It will be split into two one-day sessions, one for kids up to 3-and-a-half – with help required from parents – and one for the rest. The session for younger participants will be 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., and 4:20 to 5:15 p.m. for the older ones.
The goal of the camp is to use exercise and sports to help toddlers develop motor and social skills and boost confidence, among other benefits.
“It’s allowing them to participate in a group and greet other kids,” said Recreation Coordinator Sharon Chew. “They are introduced to multiple sports, form friendships and learn to play in groups early on. It’s right after work, so parents that work can still do it with their kids, which is nice.”
Activities will include running, kicking, jumping, balancing, throwing and catching. The program will also introduce kids to lacrosse, soccer, t-ball and track and field to teach them the fundamentals of each sport in order to improve their balance, hand-eye coordination, agility and movement.
Registration is required on the USA Sports Group website and there are fees for both kids and parents. A late charge will be incurred for registration after Aug. 28.
According to Chew, the partnership between the recreation commission and USA Sports Group goes back to 2007. After a few years, the two organizations went their separate ways, until Chew’s recent contact.
“I reached back out so we can do something for our squirts, for toddlers and pre-schoolers,” she explained. “It’s been great so far. We have this program and, in the summer, we do a half-day sports program for older kids.”
