Marco enrichment camps hitting goal

Photo by Mindy Matusiak

Mindy Matusiak/Special to the Eagle On a hazy day partcipants in the city's Paddle Boarding Camp sail smoothly off the Marco shores. Conducting the camp is the Endless Summer Paddle Boarding Camp. It offers another session, Aug. 13-17

Photo by Lola Dial

Lola Dial/SWpecial to the Eagle Laura Poelstra tries her hand at cooking chicken as Andrew and Eve McCallister learn. City Parks & Recreation put on the program, Junior Chefs Great Summer Grillling.

Photo by Mindy Matusiak

Mindy Matusiak/Special to the Eagle Bailey Dunstan enjoys paddleboarding camp as she glides along, causing no problems with the sign that says Manatee 20 mph zone. Marco Parks & Recreation will offer the program again, Aug.13-17.

Photo by Mindy Matusiak

Mindy Matusiak/Special to the Eagle Instructor BreAnne Barrett of Endless Summer Paddle Boarding Camp, sponsored by the Marco Island Parks & Recreation Department, helps one of the participants select a paddle board.

Marco Island Parks & Recreation summer enrichment camps are doing what the goal has been — to improve knowledge and abilities in many ways.

"Our camps have been awesome," said Mindy Matusiak, recreation manager. "They have been well received and almost all have been full."

A very popular activity has been the Endless Summer Adventure Paddle Boarding Camp. Because of its popularity it will have another camp from Aug. 13-17. Ages are 10-and-older. Cost is $95 for Marco residents and $114 for nonresidents. The objective is to improve coordination and skills, while also learning the importance of our precious ecosystem, Matusiak said.

Another offering of volleyball camp is July 23-27. All aspects of learning and improving their game, while tossing in some competitive play, is for ages 10-15. Cost is $60 for residents, $72 for nonresidents.

Sailing for beginners continues for the next month at the Marco Island Community Sailing Center. Motorists going over the S.S. Jolley Bridge can see the Opti sail boats being navigated by "sailors" 8-13. Cost is $90 for residents and $108 for nonresidents.

"Our Jr. Chefs Great Summer Grilling was a big hit with participants," Matusiak said. Also a hit, as they say in show biz, is the city's Theater Camp. In June campers performed "Hairspray." The next camp for ages 8-13 begins on July 23. They learn every aspect of a production, with the next being "Happy Days." Cost is $145 for residents and $174 for nonresidents.

To check out all the programs still available, call 642-0575.