Suggestions on how to avoid the summertime blahs

Originally Posted: May 26, 2013   Our unseasonably cool and wet spring has finally made way for nice weather. Some graduations have been held, others are coming soon. The imminent end of the school year means that parents will soon face the annual challenge of trying to delay their kids’ cries of “I’m bored” as long as possible.
To help avoid your children’s summer boredom blues, sign them up for some fun classes and events through the village of Orland Park and its parks and recreation department. Here are some suggestions you can keep in your quiver.
Fitness for all
There are a variety of fitness programs designed to be fun for children. Splex Rex Fitness for Kids is offered to toddlers and preschoolers and T-Rex makes an appearance! Classes begin May 28.
Children ages 7-13 can join the five-week Fitness Camp at the village Sportsplex. Campers meet with a certified trainer to learn about various health and fitness issues. The camp starts June 10.
Two separate age groups — 7-12 and 13 and up — will have the opportunity to get on a regular workout and nutrition plan (twice a week) and set and meet goals with a personal trainer. Fitwise for Kids and Teens begins June 3.
Off-season athletes can take advantage of Team Makers, in which a certified personal trainer will meet with them twice a week to instruct them on drills to enable them to throw farther, jump higher, run faster or just get in better shape for improved sports performance. Sessions begin June 4.
How about some time for Mom or Dad? Fitness in the Park offers outdoor workouts in Centennial Park. Body weight exercises and cardio drills will be done on hills and flatlands in the park. The class meets three times per week at 6 a.m., beginning on June 3.
Hammocks bring to mind relaxation, not exercise, right? Well, a new class, Fly Yoga, starts and ends with a warming “cocoon” wrap in a fabric hammock. During the class, you use it to stretch further and hold challenging poses longer. Classes start July 1.
Kids Fire
and Safety Camp
The Orland Fire Protection District is offering Fire and Life Safety Camp for children from July 15 to 18, designed to give them lessons regarding potential safety hazards around their home and school. Classes consist of lectures and lessons each day, followed by opportunities to actively participate in exercises designed to reinforce what they have been taught.
Participants will learn basic first aid and CPR, water and pool safety, personal safety and injury prevention, severe weather preparedness; bicycle safety; fire prevention and firefighter skills; Stranger Danger; and team-building activities.
The camp is geared for children ages 8-11 and is limited to 45. Once the camp is full, registration closes. It will run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. each day and is free for Orland Fire District residents, with proof of residency required. Non-district residents will be charged $30.
Registration forms will be available online (www.orlandfire.org) and must be submitted at the fire district’s administration building, 9790 W. 151st St., Orland Park, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Registration begins May 31, for district residents, June 16 for nonresidents, with July 1 the last day to register.
Butterfly Festival
On June 1, Garden Patch Farms, 14154 W. 159th St., Homer Glen, will host its first annual butterfly festival, including a butterfly release. If you have previously purchased a butterfly kit and raised your Painted Ladies, you may release your butterflies during the event. Call (708) 301-7720 or visit info@gardenpatchfarms.com for more information.
Orland Park
Farmers Market
Orland Park will resume its annual farmers market, beginning June 7 at the village Civic Center, 14750 Ravinia Ave. The market will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays through Oct. 4, with the exception of Aug. 2 (during the Taste of Orland).
More than 30 vendors will offer a variety of fresh produce, flowers, plants, pasta, bakery items, gourmet spices, jewelry, home and garden items, purses, beauty products and much more. Barbecue lunches sponsored by local charities will be available for purchase through Aug. 9. For more information, call (708) 403-6145.