Summer Fun in Orland Park
Originally published June 22, 2014 (Submission copy)
With the official (calendar) start to summer (summer solstice June 21st – the longest day of the year) combined with the weather cooperating and kids out of school, summer is finally under way! Now, what shall we do with our precious 100 days of summer?
Keeping the kids busy is a must for their activity levels and your own sanity. Registration, planning, and the ability to change plans with the weather (it is, Chicago weather, after all) will provide a fun summer filled with memorable events. Some local events, meant for family fun, have been planned for Orland Parkers.
Centennial Park West Sunday Concert – Sunday June 29th
From 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Sunday, June 29th, pack your blanket, chair, and a picnic basket and head to the Village of Orland Park’s Centennial Park West. Centennial Park West is located in the Colette Highlands Subdivision, and utilizes the METRA parking lot near 159th and 108th Avenue. This 12-acre concert venue is the perfect backdrop for open-air events, and The City Lights Orchestra, conducted by Rich Daniels, that is set to perform that evening, will not disappoint!
Centennial Park West Outdoor Movie Viewing – Sunday, June 29th
Extend the evening, by staying at the park and viewing an outdoor movie at dusk – Monsters, University – will be shown after the concert.
Kids Fire & Life Safety Camp – Orland Fire Protection District
Children ages 8 through 12 are invited to attend the Kids Fire & Life Safety Camp from the Orland Fire Protection District. This fun and educational camp will provide classroom and hands-on safety lessons teaching campers how to deal with potential hazards in and around their homes and school.
Public Educator for the Orland Fire Protection District, Betsy Dine, provided information for this years Camp. “One new feature this year – Bear Paddle Swim School will provide a ½ hour classroom instruction on Water Safety, before the campers head outside to the pool. The pool, a fixture during the camp, welcomes campers with cool relief!”
Information about Bear Paddle Swim School is available at: www.bearpaddle.com and they are located in Orland Park at: 16124 LaGrange Road.
Classroom style lectures and lessons each morning are followed by the chance to actively participate in exercises designed to reinforce what they have been taught. Campers will learn: basic first aid and CPR; water and pool safety; personal safety and injury prevention; safety around utilities; safety around railroad tracks; severe weather preparedness; bicycle safety; fire prevention; Firefighter skills; Stranger Danger; hands-on learning and team building activities
Combining classroom education and physical activities, like the water hose drill, and the obstacle course, provide important safety information in a hands-on format (and is a lot of fun, too)!
This year’s group is limited to 40 children. Currently, 20 campers have registered at this time. Once the camp is full, registration closes. Camp runs from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. each day beginning Tuesday, July 15 through Friday, July 18. The camp is free of charge for Orland Fire District residents – Proof of Residency and a report card is required! After Monday, June 23rd, non-district residents may register for the course, and will be charged $30.00 (if there are still spaces available).
Each participant will receive a Kids Life and Safety Camp T-shirt, a certificate of completion, a CD containing pictures from the week, and a binder containing the information provided during the training and additional activities. Registration is available online; forms must be completely filled out and submitted at the Orland Fire District Administration Building, 9790 W. 151st Street, Orland Park (Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), by July 1. District residents should bring proof of residency, and a report card at the time of drop off. July 1 will be the last day to register for the camp. Visit www.orlandfire.org to download the registration form.