It is important for kids' health, development and well-being that they remain active. Research conducted by the Phillber Research Association and the American Camp Association confirm that camps for children produce measurable gains in their social, physical and thinking skills. Organized activities such as recreational clubs and sports teams can be an effective way of introducing kids to new friends and sports, and opportunities of this kind are abundant in Bowie, Maryland.
Day Camps
A wide variety of summer day camps focusing on sports activities are available in Bowie. These include the American Camp Association accredited Sport Fit Tennis Camps for boys and girls aged 5 to 15, the YMCA's Specialty Sports Camps, Elizabeth Seton High School's Girls Lacrosse Camp for girls age 9 to 14 and Five Star Basketball Camp of Greater Washington. Most camps are coed and full-day.
Programs
The Bowie Boys and Girls Club and A Plus Taekwondo are two program-based options for kids; sessions can be taken after school, during weeknights or on the weekends. The Bowie Boys and Girls Club offers recreational sports activities to boys and girls age 5 to 17 in four seasons; pre-spring, spring, fall and winter. A Plus Taekwondo offers both traditional and Olympic-style taekwondo training programs to boys and girls of all ages and skill levels; kids yoga classes are also available.
Allen Pond Park
If you are looking for an opportunity to play unorganized sports with your kids, one place is Allen Pond Park, located at Nottenhill Road and Northview. The park is equipped with basketball courts, hockey arenas, softball fields and soccer fields, and it has plenty of room for ultimate Frisbee and flag football. You can also fish in the pond itself.
Costs
In 2010 summer day camps cost between $200 and $400 per week. Registration to play four sports with the Bowie Boys and Girls Club in 2010 is $135; single-sport registration is $95. No fee is charged to enter and play sports in Allen Park; however, there may be a fee associated with skating or playing hockey in the indoor arena.
Considerations
Various sports activities will have different equipment and uniform requirements. While many organized youth sports teams (soccer, basketball, baseball) provide players with uniforms, some programs--such as A Plus Taekwondo classes--ask participants to purchase the appropriate athletic wear on their own. Other sports, such as hockey and football, will require the purchase of multiple pieces of equipment and costs can add up quickly, so be sure to budget your funds appropriately.
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