Bridgeport Pool doesn't open until May 27, but the time to register for swim lessons is upon us. Annually, morning and evening classes fill up quickly on a first-paid basis. To give all interested residents equal opportunity, registration must be completed in person at the Benedum Civic Center. 

 

Saturday, April 15 is the first day to register for the 2017 summer swim lesson series.

 

“We have a lot of prime slots for which there is limited space and they always fill up right away," said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth.

 

Late-morning and evening classes are consistently the most popular.

 

“Parents like the classes which take place right before the pool opens so they don’t have to leave and come back to swim,” Shuttleworth said. “Some people need the evening classes, but they are limited too as we have other evening pool programs and events.”

 

April 15 is also the first day to purchase pool passes and rent pool facilities for this summer, but pool pass photos will not be taken until Monday, May 1.

 

• Bring a check or cash. We do accept credit and debit cards but the process the City of Bridgeport uses adds a fee to the user and takes longer than a traditional point of sale unit at retail stores.
• Know what swim lesson level your child needs. Descriptions can be found here: http://www.bridgeportwv.com/index.cfm/departments/parks-recreation-304-842-8240/swimming-pool/swim-lesson-class-descriptions/
• Obtain a copy of our Summer Activity Guide. It has all the details for pool rentals, Boy Scout room rentals on Thursday and Friday 
• nights, and the complete listing of swim lessons. Online version here: http://www.bridgeportwv.com/index.cfm/departments/parks-recreation-304-842-8240/activity-guide/
• We will have extra staff on hand to aid in making the process as fast and efficient as possible.

 

Bridgeport Parks and Recreation is in the process of hiring lifeguards for this summer. The pool opens to the public 12 p.m. Saturday, May 27. Individual pool passes range from $85 to $115 and family passes range from $110 to $160, depending upon size of family and place of residency.

 

Dates have been set for this summer's family movie nights. Showing Friday, June 9 at Bridgeport City Park is the “Secret Life of Pets” and the annual “Dive-In Movie” at Bridgeport City Pool is a double feature this year: “Sing” on Friday, July 7 and “Finding Dory” on Friday, Aug. 11. The movies are projected on a large screen. Movies in the Park are free to attend and normal pool rates apply for the Dive-In Movie events.

 

With regard to summer day camps, which are always very popular, the parks and recreation department will host Let’s Paint, Young Chefs and Little Explorers, the latter featuring themes of “Pirates Adventures” and “Under the Sea.”

 

Taught by Brenda Smith, the Let’s Paint camp runs June 27 to June 30 during which participating kids will create artworks revolving around a Troll theme. Activities include acrylic painting and craft projects in various mediums, including canvas, wood, slate and glass. Snacks are provided daily and the final day will feature an art exhibit so the young artists can show their projects to family members. The camp is suitable for children in second grade and up and the session costs $130.

 

Young Chefs Summer Camp runs in two sessions: June 13 to June 16 and July 11 to July 14. Children age 8 and older can participate, learning to properly measure, mix, roll and bake with their very own ingredients. The kid-friendly recipes include crescent cinnamon twists and razzle-berry hand pies. Even a field trip to the local Domino’s is planned during which kids can make their own pizza creations. The cost of the chefs’ camp is $150. Brenda Smith is also serving as instructor of the chefs’ camp.

 

Led by Anita Jesmer, Little Explorers’ Pirates Adventures runs June 19 to June 22 and Under the Sea runs July 17 to June 20, both offering morning and evening options. At the first camp, kids will learn about the life of a buccaneer, participating in a treasure hunt, sending messages in a bottle and making pirate ships and telescopes. The second camp encompasses information about whales, turtles, sharks, dolphins and other sea creatures. Day campers will make shark tooth necklaces and dolphin key chains, among other craft activities. Children ages 3 to 7 can attend. The cost is $35 per session.

 

Also continuing for the summer of 2017 are tennis camps sponsored by the United States Tennis Association. A variety of summer camps run in June, July and August, preceded by a spring camp – during which tennis fundamentals will be taught – in late-April and early May.

 

The summer will also feature karate taught by Kevin Drummond, Little Explorers taught by Anita Jesmer, Stamp Camp, caught by Kathy Hamrick and Refit taught by Cynthia Campbell.

 

Other special events slated for the summer months are Bridgeport Family Day at City Park to be held 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 22; the Dick’s Sporting Goods Fishing Tournament, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June at Hinkle and Deegan Lakes; National Night Out at Bridgeport City Pool 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 and a DNR Hunters’ Safety Course 6-9:30 p.m. May 8-10 at Benedum Civic Center.

 

Access a Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Summer Activities Guide - which contains information about the aforementioned activities and more -  HERE.

 

Printed copies are available at the Benedum Civic Center, 164 West Main Street, Bridgeport.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured from top: Benedum Civic Center (by Julie Perine), Young Chefs' summer day camp (by Julie Perine) and  Bridgeport Pool at National Night Out (by Ben Queen Photography.)