Colebrook Recreation Department Report
The Colebrook Recreation Department has been a year round department since 1999. Since that time, the department has continued to operate with the director as the only full-time position. The Department has grown from offering just a dozen programs in 1999 to offering 46 different programs in 2009 to over 1400 participants. There are sports, camps, and adult, child, and family programs offered throughout the year.
Once again, the summer saw record-breaking numbers in the summer day camps. Three different day camps were offered for ages 4 to 14 as well as four different sports camps. The enrollment in the children’s camp, Camp Monadnock, increased as well as the camp for teens, Hikes Bikes Trips and Flips. This was the second summer of offering a Mini-Monadnock camp, which was one day a week for 4 & 5-year-olds who are looking for a small portion of the camp experience. It also showed increases in participation. The Drama Camp put on a musical production of Broadway Songs for the first time. The show included 31 children from the community, eight summer counselors, and was directed by Tracey Sullivan. The kids did a great job and were able to put on two shows for the community.
The Colebrook Recreation Department participated in the Great American Camp Out for the second time. There was a tremendous increase in participants, but the hailstorm in June moved the camp out into the Colebrook Gymnasium. Maybe we will have better luck next summer. Come out and join us.
The Colebrook Recreation Advisory Board assisted with the Grade 3 & 4 Basketball Tournament in March. Members donated baked goods to be sold and gave some time to work in the snack room. The advisory board was able to use funds earned from the tournaments and other fundraisers to provide financial assistance to ten Colebrook children to attend summer day camps.
In August, the Recreation Department was notified they would be a host for the NBA Fit Challenge Local Competition. This program is aimed at providing an exciting fitness competition for boys and girls up to age 14. The competition was run during the Recreation Basketball Program in November and had two participants, Adam Crawford & Michaella Biron, qualify to compete at the Regional Competition hosted by the Maine Red Claws. Both did exceptional jobs and won their respective age divisions. Michaella’s score was high enough to place her in the top two spots of 10-year-old girls in the nation, earning her the right to compete at the National Competition representing the Colebrook Recreation Department. The final competition will be held in February in Dallas, Texas. Have a great time and best of luck Michaella!
The Colebrook Recreation Department mascot, Murphy Moose, has his own Facebook page to let the community know what is going on at the Colebrook Recreation Department. If you are on Facebook, become friends with Murphy Moose and keep up to date on his status. The Recreation Department is also continuing to use email to notify the community of upcoming events. If you would like to receive electronic updates, email colebrookrecreation@gmail.com.
It is the hope of the Recreation Department that the number and quality of the available programs does not suffer with the many budget cuts set for the 2010 year. Community support and volunteers have helped to make Colebrook Recreation programs successful. I would like to once again thank the Recreation Advisory Board and Travel Team coaches for all of their assistance in 2009. Thank you to Bond Auto Parts for their monetary donation to the Recreation Department and to all community members who have donated items to the Recreation Department as well. It is all greatly appreciated by the participants.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Shaw
Colebrook Recreation Director
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