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Summer Fun

Summer Program Information

Outside of open-play and sports activities we offer a TON of guided and structured programs throughout the summer.  These programs often require registration since there is limited space available.  Some of the programs are free while others have an associated cost.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook for all the updated announcements on programs & signups!

 

Is there a program you'd like to see at the Rec?  Contact us by emailing mbernas@northtonawanda.org 

Our Facilities and Parks

Click the links for directions to the facilities

Summer full of FUN!!

                                                                            RECSPORTS @ WURLITZER PARK

 

                                                                         First Day: Monday, July 1                            Last Day: Friday, August 16

                                                                        FREE for NT Residents  - $50 for the entire summer for non-residents

                                                                        All ages welcome - Children 6 and under must have  supervision

                                                                                  Monday thru Friday

                                                                        Morning Session 10 AM to Noon

                                                                        Lunch break Noon to 1 PM (staff takes a break, there will be no supervision at the park at this time)

                                                                        Afternoon Session 1 PM to 3 PM

                                                                                         All children are welcome. Kids under the age of 6 must have their own supervision.

Send the children over to Wurlitzer Park throughout the summer for daily recreational sports fun with our dedicated and creative Rec Staff.  The Rec Staff will set up a variety of daily sports minded activities with safety and inclusion in mind in order to create a great summer experience for EVERYONE!! 

Throughout the summer there will be water themed days, Olympic style contest days and grilled hot dog lunches to help promote sportsmanship and the importance of community. We can't wait for you to join us.

WURLITZER PARK

Corner of Deerfield Dr. and Cambridge Ave.
North Tonawanda, NY 14120

                                            FREE SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM

 

 First Day: TBA                                                         Last Day: Friday, August 16

FREE for NT Residents 18 and under

     

 Monday thru Friday - Noon to 1:00 PM

 Payne Memorial Park Pavilion

No registration is required. Just come to Payne Park at Noon and free lunches will be handed

out to all children 18 and under. Lunches must be eaten on the premises. Only 1 lunch will be

given to each child. 

Payne Memorial Park

848 Payne Ave
North Tonawanda, NY 14120

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                                                                            CHARACTER GPS SUMMER CAMP

 

                                                                         First Day: Monday, July 8                            Last Day: Friday, July 12

                                                                        NT Residents only  - $10 for the entire week

                                                                Children in grades 4 - 8

                                                                LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

                                                                                  Monday thru Friday

                                                                                  9 AM to 4 PM @ The REC

                                                                                  Lunch will be provided daily. (We recommend participants bring a refillable water bottle)

                                                                                  Graduation will be held on Friday, July 12 at 4 PM. Parents and family members are                                                                                                          encouraged to attend. 

                              .

 For more information about the Character GPS program, visit their website at:  https://charactergps.org/

                                                                                 

Overview


We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) that provides life-changing Character Education experiences for Youth.  We use an unique, proprietary, research-based curriculum to accelerate maturity and equip Youth with the tools to discover: that they are "Priceless" in boosting their Self-esteem, what they stand for, and how to pursue their future dreams. Our unique combination of Life and Leadership Skills really work.

Our Mission


We are on-fire for providing life-changing character development experiences, resources and personal growth for children and their influencers. We equip American youth with the tools to discover their innate value, what they stand for, and how to pursue lifelong dreams by focusing on their smart goals.

 

Our Goals

 

  • To equip American children with proven principles, values, and tools for pursuing success in their lives.

  • To promote healthy relationships and teamwork for children, their families, and the environments they live and learn in.

  • To equip schools, families, and organizations that serve children with how to create safe, healthy, and productive environments that their children can thrive in.

  • To help promote positive change in our communities, country and the world, one child at a time.

The REC

383 Vandervoort St.

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

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GROSS OUT CAMP

Camp 1- Monday, July 8 -  Friday, July 12

Camp 2 - Monday, August 12 - Friday August 16
Both Camps run from 9 AM to 4 PM each day
@ Mayor's Park and the North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens


RESIDENTS: $250 per child ($25 discount for each additional sibling)
NON-RESIDENTS: $325 per child ($25 discount for each additional sibling)


For kids entering 1st - 4th grades
Limited Space Available
Camp Shirt, morning snack, and lunch provided 

IF IT’S GROSS WE’VE GOT IT!


Who loves bugs, worms, dirt, reptiles, slime?? -- Then Gross Out Camp is for you. This award-winning science camp will serve 20 children in the kind of science kids love: outside, hands-on, and a bit disgusting

They will be outdoors, in the healthy fresh air, where sunshine beams on our smiles. It’s the most fun a kid can have while learning!
 
We guarantee tired, dirty children (who learned lots)!

If you have any questions, please email Michelle at mbernas@northtonawanda.org or call her at 716.695-8520 Ext 5510.

Mayor's Park

987 Sweeney St

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

NT Botanical Gardens

1825 Sweeney St

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

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                  SUMMER THEATER CAMP 2024

 

First Day: Monday, July 1                          Last Day: Friday, August 23

 

NT Residents only  - $100 for the entire summer (sibling discounts apply)

Financial aid available. Ask Michelle for details @ mbernas@northtonawanda.org

Youth in grades K - 12

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

Monday, Wednesday & Friday, July 1 - August 23

10 AM to 2 PM @ Pinewoods Park

Morning snack and lunch will be provided daily.

(We recommend participants bring a refillable water bottle)

Performances will be held on Friday, August 23 at noon and at 6PM @ The Raymond Klimek Veteran's Park Band Shell

Is your child interested in exploring the world of theater or perhaps just want to try their hand at acting on the big stage?

Here's the chance to come out and see if the theater is for them.

Our summer theater camp will introduce your child to just about every aspect of creating and performing a play. From script writing to costume and stage design, lighting and movement, they will get their hands dirty in all parts of the process.

 

Participants will learn about the personal skills of theater, including enunciation, diction and projection, staging and movement, gestures and facial expressions, and camaraderie.

Once they discover their acting skills they will then create their own short play, write the script, pick the characters, choose the actors, design the sets and the costumes and have all their hard work presented for all during their live performance at The Raymond Klimek Veteran's Park Band Shell on Friday, August 23. 2 performances will be held at Noon and 6pm.

Sign the kids up now and help them GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER!!!

 

 

Raymond Klimek Veterans Park

700 River Rd,

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

Pine Woods Park

3 Pine Woods Dr,

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

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SUMMER CRAFT VAN

The journey begins July 1


This summer we will be bringing the fun to you as we spread out the fun throughout North Tonawanda. 

We'll be bringing crafts and an activity or 2 to a few different parks throughout the summer. 

While all of the activities are free and optional to NT residents, we will still ask for sign ups to gage the numbers we will have each day to ensure we have enough supplies for our crafts and activities. 

Craft and activity schedules will be posted soon so check back to see what we will bringing you this summer.

 

The Tentative summer schedule will look something like this:

 

  • Mondays - Wurlitzer Park 10 AM to 12 PM, Pinewoods Park, 1 PM to 3 PM

  • Tuesdays - Payne Park 10 AM to 12 PM, Mayor's Park 1 PM to 3 PM
  • Wednesdays - Wurlitzer Park 10 AM to 12 PM, Pinewoods Park, 1 PM to 3 PM

  • Thursdays - Payne Park 10 AM to 12 PM, Mayor's Park 1 PM to 3 PM

  • Fridays - Remington Park - 10 AM to 12 PM, Leah Park 1 PM to 3 PM

 

Hours could possibly change later in the summer based on attendance.

We can't wait to bring the fun to more and more of you each day!

Mayor's Park

987 Sweeney St

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

Pine Woods Park

3 Pine Woods Dr,

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

Wurlitzer Park

Corner of Deerfield Dr. and Cambridge.

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

Payne Memorial Park

848 Payne Ave
North Tonawanda, NY 14120

Remington Park

1090 Remington Dr

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

Leah  Park

1337 Erie Ave

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

                             FAMILY FUN FRIDAYS

First Day: Friday, July 12                          Last Day: Friday, August 2

Each week our Rec Staff will lead a recreational activity the whole family can enjoy together.

(Parents, your participation is optional) We will also be giving away hot dogs and a beverage

with a suggested donation of $3 per person. 
(Donations will be used toward funding Youth Board activities such as Student Government Day

and the Post Prom event.)

Summer 2024 FFF Schedule

7/12 SUMO BALL - 2 participants are put into our bubble soccer bubbles. They are placed at

opposite ends of a 20 ft circular playing field. On “Go” from one of the Rec Staff, the players

will have 1 minute to knock the other completely outside the circle. Registration will begin at 4 PM with contests ongoing.
 

7/19 SLIP-N-SLIDE RELAYS - Teams will begin their relay sliding down our slip-n-slide track where they will then have to complete a small task before they turn around and slide their way back. Registration will begin at 4 PM with the races beginning at 4:30 PM with contests ongoing. Food will be served from 4 PM to 6 PM. Show up at any time.

 

7/26 BINGO - Who doesn’t love BINGO??  Of course we’re going to Rec it and make it even more fun. Wait until you see what we’ve come up with. Registration will begin at 4 PM with the games to begin at 5 PM with contests ongoing.
Food will be served from 4 PM to 6 PM. Show up at any time.

 

8/2 WACKY WATER FUN - All sorts of fun, water based games to keep you cool in the August heat. 
Registration will begin at 4 PM with the games to begin at 4:30 PM with contests ongoing.  Food will be served from 4 PM to 6 PM. Show up at ay time.

 

Registration is not required but if you know you're going to attend, please sign up so we know about how many to expect.
 

 

 

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Payne Memorial Park

848 Payne Ave
North Tonawanda, NY 14120

                                                                                                 Astronomy on the Park

                                                                                            First Day: Tuesday, July 16                   Last Day: Tuesday, August 20

                  Kids K - 12 Welcome

                 Free to NT Residents

                  Limited spots available


                                                    Tuesdays, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13 & 8/20

 

Staff will be on hand so parents don't have to stay but are more than welcome to join in our space exploration adventures.

The North Tonawanda Recreation Department is ecstatic to once again be offering this free summer astronomy program for kids.

Curious young ones will be given the opportunity to use telescopes and binoculars, including an 80mm telescope capable of viewing deep sky objects with relative ease.

Each class will offer a new lesson on various stellar, lunar and planetary phenomena. Our resident astronomical enthusiast, Tom Arida, will offer up enthusiastic discussions, exciting experiments, and thrilling viewing opportunities to stimulate your young minds and pique your interest in further space exploration.

While the classes are free to NT residents, we are still requiring registration as spaces are limited. We will also ask that if you cannot make a class you previously registered for that you notify us so that we can open up that sport for someone else.

Each week we will provide light beverages and snacks and perhaps an extra special treat here and there.

Bring a blanket, bring a chair, bundle up in case there's a chilly breeze, and come explore with us.

                                                                                         

 

 

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Gratwick Park

River Rd.

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

                             FUNDAMENTALS of  ART 

First Day: Friday, July 5                          Last Day: Friday, August 16

Fridays, July 5 to August 16

10 AM to 12 PM

Main Pavilion - Pine Woods Park

Lunch and snack provided

Kids ages 12+

NT Residents $50 (sibling discount available)

Non-residents $70 (sibling discount available)

All art supplies included

This summer we are bringing our "teenagers" (kids who are 12+) this incredible Fundamentals of Art camp. This camp is perfect for kids who are just beginning to discover their love of art. In this summer camp, participants will learn the basic elements and principles of art.


This camp is suitable for the complete beginner or those who have taken one or two classes, and want more! The class will begin with preliminary drawing exercises focusing on the use of color theory, shading, linear perspective, and more. Participants will be shown and will practice various techniques for drawing the human form to show different types of movement and emotion. 


The instructor will not only provide the physical tools and supplies to get your child moving in the right direction when exploring their creative sides, but they will also impart the knowledge and know-how to bring the student's artistic ideas to life.
https://ntyouthcenter.com/summer-fun#fundamentals-of-art.

 

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Pine Woods Park

3 Pine Woods Dr,

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

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CANAL FESTIVITIES

                                                                                                       

Monday, July 15           to         Friday, July 19

 

  Kids K - 12 Welcome

    Free to NT Residents
               

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Gateway Harbor 

99 Sweenet St

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

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Payne Memorial Park

848 Payne Ave
North Tonawanda, NY 14120

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