Freeport Park District offers upcoming events

From press releases

Freeport Park District has a number of classes and programs available this summer. Sign up now for:

Youth Tennis Lessons—July 26-30. This class is for youth ages 4-10 years and provides a solid foundation to maximize skill improvement and enjoyment. Instruction includes hand-eye coordination, racket skills and stroke production, with emphasis on ground strokes, serves, returns and volleys. Court position, scoring and singles and doubles are introduced.

Lessons are on Mon. & Wed. at 11 a.m. to noon or 5:30-6:30 p.m. and begin Aug. 2-18, at the Read Park Tennis Courts. Register by July 30 by calling (815) 235-6114, ext. 0 to charge by phone (Discover, Visa or MasterCard) or visit the Read Park office. Registrations may also be made at the Web site at www.freeportparkdistrict.org. Fee is residents $40, non-residents $45. Call 235-6114, ext. 109 for schedule details.

Roller Skating Lessons. Join Linda Simler at the State Station (7016 US Rt. 20) for roller skating lessons,7-8 p.m. Mondays, beginning July 26-Aug. 16. Parents skate with your child during the practice time after every lesson. Open to children ages 5-18 years. Register by July 23 by calling the Freeport Park Districdt at (815) 235-6114, ext. 0 to charge by phone (Discover, Visa or MasterCard) or visit the Read Park office at 1122 S. Burchard Ave. You may also register online at www.freeportparkdistrict.org. The fee is $20 for Park District residents, $25 for non-residents. For more info, call 235-6114, ext. 109.

Discover Paddling. A selection of different styles and sizes of kayaks will be available for use at this popular introduction to paddling. Professionals from Paddle and Trail, Inc. will demonstrate getting in the boat (and staying in), correct paddle maneuvers and safety tips. Great opportunity for experienced and novice paddlers, Saturday, July 24 and again Aug. 28, 1-4 p.m. at Krape Park Boat Docks. Fee is $8/person (18 years and older). Those younger than 18 must be with a guardian and comfortable in the water. Call the Freeport Park District at (815) 235-6114, ext. 109 or stop at the Read Park office. Also, see the Web site at www.freeportparkdistrict.org.

Fusion Fest. Freeport Park District teams up with the Freeport Area Chamber of Commerce to bring you Fusion Games, which include 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Wiffle Ball Tournament and Skateboard Tournament, all in one location. Read Park will host Fusion Games on Saturday, Aug. 7. 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament begins at noon at Read Park Basketball Courts. Fee is $15/team and includes free T-shirts to pre-registered participants. Skateboarding competition begins at noon at Read Park SK8 Park. $10/participant and includes free T-shirt for pre-registered participants. Wiffle Ball Invasion at Little Cubs Field (1160 W. Empire & Read Park Baseball Diamonds). $120/team (up to 10 players). Tournament T-shirts for all roster players. Ages 16 and older. Pool play with top two teams in each pool advancing to bracketed tournament. Semi-final and championship played on Little Cubs Field. Home Run Derby. Call (815) 235-6114, ext. 109 for more information, or www.freeportparkdistrict.org or the Freeport Area Chamber of commerce at (815) 233-1350 or www.freeportilchamber.com.

Freeport Park District Major League Baseball Bus Trips. Cubs vs. Phillies 7/17; fee $85 residents, $90 non-residents. White Sox vs. Yankees, 8/28; fee $85 residents, $90 non-residents. Pre-registration required. For game times and bus departure time, please call the Freeport Park District office at (815) 235-6114, ext. 109.

Drawing Basics. Join local artist Rick Sherman of Sherman Art as he teaches an all-ages class on the basics of drawing. You will be thrilled with your new skills when you draw your friends as a caricature or as a superhero. Classes held in the MOGLE Center at Oakdale on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, Aug. 11-20. Register by Aug. 4. For more info, call (815) 235-6114, ext. 115. Fee is $50 for residents, $57 for non-residents. Registrations can be made over the phone with MasterCard, Discover or Visa, or you can stop by the office at 1122 S. Burchard or visit the Web site at www.freeportparkdistrict.org to register online.

Glow-In-The-Dark Miniature Golf. Head out to Krape Park for a special evening of Glow-In-The-Dark Miniature Golf. The Yellow Creek Adventure Golf Course will be decorated for the evening in bright neon lights. Golfers will receive a glowing golf ball that they will attempt to hit into the glowing holes. The fun takes place Friday, July 9, and again Aug. 6 at 8:30-10 p.m. The fee is $3.50/person. Call (815) 235-6114, ext. 115 for more information or visit the Web site at www.freeportparkdistrict.org.

Jr. Tackle Cheerleading. Cheer on the Jr. Tackle football teams this year. Instructors will teach you the cheers before the games begin and will join you at each game. Cheerleaders will receive a T-shirt that is to be worn for each game as well as a hair bow with their team colors. This is for cheerleaders entering grades 5, 6 and 7. All practices and information on games will be announced at a later date. Register by Aug. 4 by calling the Freeport Park District at (815) 235-6114, ext. 0 to charge by phone (Discover, Visa or MasterCard) or visit the Read Park office. Registrations may also be made online at www.freeportparkdistrict.org. Fee is residents $37, non-residents $42. Call 235-6114, ext. 115 for more information.

Explorer Camp—for children ages 8-12 years. Campers will spend the day exploring nature and participating in cooperative games and activities in Krape Park. Activities include tie-dying camp T-shirts, making camp crafts, and taking advantage of all the amenities offered. Campers will also take weekly field trips as well as trips to the pool in Read Park. An adventurous and educational field trip will be offered each week. The next session begins July 19, and camp is held Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For those needing extended care, campers can be dropped off before regular camp hours and picked up after regular camp hours. Location: Krape Park Community Building. Weekly camp fees are $140 for residents, $161 for non-residents. Extended care is $30. For more information or to register, call the Freeport Park District at (815) 235-6114 using MasterCard, Visa or Discover, or stop by the Read Park office, 1122 S. Burchard Ave. Or register online at www.freeportparkdistrict.org.

From the July 7-13, 2010 issue