Kids looking for something fun to do this summer have plenty of options, as the Powell Recreation District is again offering a wide variety of programs, camps, classes and more.

The schedule gets rolling shortly after kids get out of school and continues into August.

Camp and classes

Kids’ Camp runs from June through early August from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children between the age of 5 and 10 can participate in activities ranging from crafts and educational programs to games and trips to the Powell Aquatic Center. The Homesteader Park Warming House serves as home base.

Parents can send their campers for the entire day ($90 a week) or just the morning or afternoon ($45).

Campers — and any other local children — are also welcome to enjoy a free lunch served up by Powell Valley Healthcare.

In conjunction with Park County School District 1, the district is also offering classes for elementary and middle school-aged children. The Summer Academy lineup starts June 9 and runs through July 17. For kindergartners and first graders, options include the basics of soccer and basketball, gardening, bicycle riding, treasure hunts and water play. 

Options for second and third graders also include cupcake baking, studio artwork, a kid detective offering and a wilderness and outdoor class.

Fourth through eighth graders can also try their hand at building water-powered rockets, scrapbooking, sewing, geocaching, watercolors and rock painting.

Each class runs for two hours a day (10 a.m. to noon or 1-3 p.m.) for four straight days (Monday through Thursday). The cost is $22 per class, or $19 for additional family members from the same household.

Meanwhile, the Children’s Resource Center is offering a free Kid Zone class for parents and kids in June. Held on three straight Wednesdays, it’s intended to offer a fun way to target development milestones for kids 2 to 5.

There are also three special day trips on the summer calendar. The district will again take kids 6-14 on a series of “Adventure Trips” to attractions in Billings. That includes a June 11 trek to the Get Air Trampoline Park, a July 16 visit to Zoo Montana and an Aug. 6 trip to the Rose Park outdoor waterpark. The cost ranges from $16 to $28.

Sports and fitness

Meanwhile, youth interested in getting into or learning more about a particular sport have plenty of options as well. A series of basketball, volleyball, wrestling and football camps are set for the first part of June.

Additionally, between the rec district and partner organizations, youth have the option to receive instruction in tennis, martial arts, cheerleading, martial arts, gymnastics and golf.

One new offering is the Youth Workout Club for incoming sixth through eighth graders. The club is intended to help middle schoolers improve their general fitness or get better prepared for a specific sport through circuit training, high intensity interval training, yoga and stretching.

Aubrie Stenerson will lead the $22-a-month club in June and July.

As for adult options, the rec district is again hoping to restart a co-ed softball league. If enough teams sign up, games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between June 24 and Aug. 7.

Adults also have a new program, as Redemption Story Dance Company instructor Lorien Legler is offering a line dancing class from high schoolers on up. (The weekly Wednesday evening class will also incorporate student-requested dances.)

Pick your own

Those wanting to chart their excursion can also rent a slew of equipment from the district — including a portable volleyball set, horseshoes, footballs, softballs, whiffle ball sets, basketballs and even disc golf baskets and discs.

The Northwest College Recreation Equipment CO-OP similarly rents out gear like bikes, stand-up paddleboards, camping equipment, canoes and more.

The district has faced increased expenses in recent years, but “we’re trying to keep fees as low as we can to include as many kids as we can with our programs,” Director Colby Stenerson recently told the Powell City Council.

For youth who might not be able to afford a district program, the Art Coughenour Memorial Youth Scholarship can provide help to eligible families. Contact the Powell Recreation District at 307-754-5711 with questions and visit powellrec.com for more information or to sign up for programs.