Martial Arts at the Park

New Activity at the Park

 

A new free activity is coming to the park for parents and kids. Check out our new Martial Arts class! The class is being held at the Belding Garcia Park starting Thursday, July 24 from 11am to 12pm. Come in loose workout clothes and sneakers. It will be a great workout.  The class will meet on Tuesday, July 29, Thursday, July 31, Monday, August 4, Tuesday, August 12, and Thursday, August 14.  Come join us!

When interviewing one of the kids who participates in the Summer Lunch and Sports and Fitness Program, Leslie told me the main reason she loves coming to the park is because she gets to hang out with her friends. Her answer to my question caught my attention because she was so excited when telling me.

As the program continues, faces are becoming more familiar. It’s like the park has regulars and they come all the time. Then it’s the people who come sometimes. Families who come on a regular basis say that they come to let the kids have fun and get a lunch instead of being in the house all day. It is something fun to do during the summer.

Families around the Iron Triangle are invited to come to the Belding Garcia Park to

participate in our Summer Lunch and Sports and Fitness Program. Come enjoy our activities Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00pm.

Coro Youth Interns at Belding Garcia Park

 

Tamara's Reflections

 

 

What are things at the park that have caught my attention?

Well, first off, the numbers of people who attend the Summer Lunch and Sports and Fitness Program. It seems that more families come on days with scheduled activities such as Zumba and Yoga.  On those days, the number of people double versus the days with no scheduled activities. I’ve also noticed the choices the kids make when it comes to choosing their lunches. The kids seem to like sandwiches the most out of all of the choices they can make for their lunches.

What do I like most about the Program?

I like how involved the parents are with the program. The parents participate in games and passing lunch out, and more.  

What have I learned from being in the Summer Lunch and Sports and Fitness Program?

I have learned how important this program is to some families. The kids that come to the park get to burn off some energy and have a meal. That gives parents a little free time to relax or do fun activities.  No child’s summer is being wasted.

Families around the Iron Triangle are invited to come to the Belding Garcia Park to

participate in our Summer Lunch and Sports and Fitness Program. Come enjoy our activities Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00pm.

  

New Porta Potty at the Summer Lunch Program

 

New Porta Potty!

 

As our summer program continues, parents become more excited for the activities held at the Summer Lunch and Sports and Fitness Program. More and more parents are showing up each time an activity is held. The Zumba class with Willa Willis seems to be the most popular. Parents come every Wednesday and Friday from 11:00am to 12:00pm, and on Mondays from 10:30am to 11:30 am.  We have even had a gentleman doing Zumba!

A variety of healthy lunches were given out this week including sandwiches, veggie plates, salads, and fresh fruit. Parents are also be provided with healthy snacks to nourish them while doing their activities. Giving out healthy snacks to the parents sets a great example for the children at the park.

We’ve recently gotten a large Porta Potty with a handwashing station for the summer program at Belding Garcia Park. The families at the park love the new Potty.  It makes staying at the park much easier.  Special thanks to the City of Richmond Parks & Recreation Department, and especially Alicia Nightengale, for providing us with the beautiful Porta Potty. It is really appreciated and is getting great use!

Families around the Iron Triangle are invited to come to the Belding Garcia Park to

participate in our Summer Lunch and Sports and Fitness Program. Come enjoy lunch and our activities Monday through Friday from from 11:00 am to 1:00pm.

Zumba at BBK's Summer Lunch Program

Tamara's First Day at the Park
 

BBK’s Summer Lunch Program distributes free healthy meals at the Belding Garcia Park Monday through Friday until August 15th.  Children have the option of choosing from a selection of great meals including ham and cheese sandwiches, pasta salads, crackers and cheese, tuna sandwiches, breads and dipping sauces, salads, fresh fruits, and more. Lunches are given out from 11:00 am-1:00 pm while other activities are going on at the park.

  

Today was a very exciting day at at the park. Children were involved in  many fun games and activities including badminton, board games, jump rope, and more. While the kids were playing, I noticed a little girl, Brandy, playing golf along the side of a t-ball game. After playing a quick game of kickball, I asked her,” What was the most exciting part of your day?” With a huge grin on her face, she said,”Coming here.”

Many of the kids attending the Summer Lunch and Sports and Fitness Program enjoyed playing with the kites.  Since today was such a windy day, the kites were a huge success.  Pamela, a summer intern at BBK, who spent most of the day untangling the kites said, ”Although it was stressful, I enjoyed making the kids happy.”

Today was also Zumba Day. The parents and the teenagers had a great time dancing the day away, while at the same time, getting a great workout. Yoga was also a hit, a relaxing exercise that brought all the parents together. Rich City Rides came to the park and did a mini bike ride around Belding Garcia Park.  Helmets were given out while bikes were getting fixed.

Families around the Iron Triangle are invited to come to the Belding Garcia Park to participate in our Summer Lunch and Sports and Fitness Program. Come enjoy our activities Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00pm.