Category Archives: Youth and Family

Kids Camp Enrollment Open Now

Kids Camp, RecWell

Kids Camp programming includes a variety of recreation-based one day, evening and week-long camps designed for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade (ages 5 – 12) emphasizing physical development and education while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Activities are conducted at the Student Recreation Center and Perry Field House, with opportunities to golf at Forrest Creason Golf Course. Walking field trips, special guests, and sport instruction are offered to complement the foundation of recreational, leisure, and social activities on which the camps are founded.

2015 Summer Kids Camp Programming | Eight 1-Week Camps

Date | Theme | Optional Instructional Component

  • June 8 – 12 | Falcon Frenzy | Golf
  • June 15 – 19 | Color Crazy | Swimming
  • June 22 – 26 | Blast from the Past | Volleyball
  • June 29 – July 2 | Pirate Pandemonium | None
  • July 6 – 10 | All Things Mythical | Swimming
  • July 13 – 17 | Zany Zoo | Soccer
  • July 20 – 24 | Underwater Adventure | Golf
  • July 27 – 31 | Friends Galore | Rock Climbing

Enrollment and Payment Information

Placement is guaranteed only upon receipt of all documentation and payment. Payments can be made via credit card (Master Card, Visa, Discover), cash or check. Credit card payment is processed in person at the Student Recreation Center Welcome Desk or over the phone at 419.372.9900. Due to Payment Card Industry compliance, DO NOT fax or email a completed registration form containing a credit card number.

  • Hand Deliver: Student Recreation Center Welcome Desk
  • Email:  kidscamp@bgsu.edu
  • Fax:  419.372.8454
  • Mail:  BGSU Recreation and Wellness
    Kids Camp
    BGSU Student Recreation Center
    1411 Ridge Road
    Bowling Green, OH 43403

More Ice Arena Renovations Set to Begin

Blogroll, Renovation, Youth and Family

Skaters look forward to the ice arena reopening on July 18 to continue with the Learn to Skate program or just to cool off from hot summer days.  At the same time, skaters may witness an aesthetic transformation of key areas inside the ice arena. The bids for the renovations arrived June 1 and the projected starting date is July 1. The completion date of the entire project is anticipated to be mid-September.

To be completed during this phase is a new skate shop, skate rental, concession stand and office space. Quite noticeable for individuals who enter the updated ice arena is the creation of a new pedestrian traffic flow.  The public may find the space more inviting by easily being able to browse the skate shop and buy food or drink from the concession stand.  The ice arena staff want their facility to be more customer friendly and allow those who come into the building to feel more welcome.

The completed concession stand is to have a small kitchen area. The foods offered include hotdogs, pizza, nachos and pretzels, with soft drinks, water and PowerAde beverages.  “We are going to try some other food items and see what works and what doesn’t work,” said director of the ice arena Jamie Baringer. “Breakfast food items are planned as a healthier alternative and in competition with fast food restaurants.”  All foods at the concession stand are planned for quick service.

New space is being created for offices to be in close proximity to the main entrance and each staff member. This new office area is where the current skate shop is occupied. Additionally, the ticket window booth is expanding into an open office area. “The new office arrangement is conducive for a better working environment,” Baringer said.

The updated skate shop is to continue marketing clothing apparel such as t-shirts, sweatshirts and skate related items for purchase. For the skate rental area, 500 pairs of brand new Riddell skates have been ordered. The current skates at the skate rental have hundreds of miles on them and it is time for their retirement. “The old skates are being sent to inventory and disposed of as how they see best,” said staff assistant Laura Dunn. “They gave us their loving use, but are now so bad that they have become a liability.”

Old rental skates

Approximately one-third of the skates ordered are hockey skates. Some skaters feel they are more comfortable, easier to skate with or they just want to be on hockey blades.  Figure skates are exceedingly more popular at BGSU with around 335 pairs purchased.  Learn to Skate programming starting with youth size six skates through adult size skates is a determining factor.  However, there are two types of figure skates – the traditional skate and the recreational skate.  The skating industry is leaning toward the recreational skate for rentals. Recreational skates are a soft-side skate, so it fits more like a tennis shoe.  “If individuals are placed in recreational skates, they can ease into skating a little better,” said Baringer. “They may be hooked into life-long skaters if the skate feels comfortable.”

Skaters who come to the ice arena this summer are going to watch it transform into a user friendly facility. They get to observe firsthand the progress of the improvements.  The updates are creating a more enjoyable experience for all visitors of the ice arena.

Emerald Ash Borer Triggers Tree Campaign

Golf, Youth and Family

A special tree restoration campaign is currently underway to replace trees killed by the emerald ash borer. These little, green hungry beetles found their way on to campus effectively girdling hundreds of trees and causing death. One of the hardest hit areas on campus is at the Forrest Creason Golf Course.

View of the tree destruction

Named the ReForest Forrest Creason Golf Course Campaign, this project is inspired by devoted members of the Forrest Creason Golf Course who witnessed the destruction of 167 trees between 2007 and 2009. Contributors can easily donate to this vital campaign. A gift of $250 provides an opportunity to select a specific tree from the Forrest Creason Golf Course Master Tree Plan and designate the gift in honor or in memory of a special person. Any gift amount by check, cash or pledge goes a long way toward purchasing a tree.

“All the money contributed through the ReForest Forrest Creason Golf Course Campaign is designated to the tree replacement initiative,” said Kurt Thomas, director of the Forrest Creason Golf Course. “Many people are interested in playing at Forrest Creason this year. After golfers play a round, I am hopeful they support the tree campaign.”

The Forrest Creason Golf Course has been a part of BGSU since its creation at the direction of Dr. Samuel Cooper, a former BGSU coach and professor of physical education. “Ken Schoeni, former supervisor of maintenance and grounds in athletics and co-architect of the golf course, was instrumental in transforming the farmland into a nine-hole golf course in 1964 and then completing the back nine in 1972,” said Thomas. “He was the driving force into getting it done.”

Minor changes have been made to the golf course since its inception. Sand traps have been added or taken out. There were tee box repairs and replacement of a few trees from inclement weather. “Soon to open at the 13th hole is a tee shot that is 100 percent over the water, instead of alongside it,” said Thomas. “Small cosmetic updates are made to the course to make it a little bit tougher.”

The vision of Forrest Creason Golf Course is to be the best public golf course in the area.  Maintaining the course is vital in keeping the grounds in excellent condition. “The staff is constantly trying to improve the golf course by making it better and a more enjoyable experience for everyone,” Thomas said.  Replacing the 167 trees may take up to five years, although Thomas hopes the tree planting process is a little quicker. Thomas consults with tree expert Kent Reichert on the types of species and varieties of trees that would not be harmed by the emerald ash borer. Last fall 32 trees were planted from limited operating money and plans are to continue replacing trees every fall until all the trees are replaced. The Campaign’s success is critical in making the tree replacement a reality.

The ReForest Forrest Creason Golf Course Campaign tri-leaders are Thomas, assistant director of marketing at Recreation and Wellness Lona Leck and assistant golf course director Lindy Powers. They are available to discuss the campaign and answer any questions. Please find gift forms and details about the campaign at www.bgsu.edu/recwell/golf or contact the Forrest Creason Golf Course at 419-372-2674. Supporting the Reforest Forrest Creason Golf Course Campaign with a tree purchase enhances the aesthetic appearance and provides a more challenging golf experience to the game.  Make a gift today!

2011 Summer Kids Camp – Activities Galore!

Aquatics, Blogroll, Student Recreation Center, Wellness Connection, Youth and Family

Summer vacation is almost here, but kids don’t throw those backpacks in the closet that carried books back and forth to school just yet.  On June 6, Summer Kids Camp begins and the backpacks transform into camper backpacks carrying swimsuits, sunscreen, water bottles and lunchboxes.  The eight-week Summer Kids Camp ends July 29.

The 2011 Summer Kids Camp continues its outstanding programming established from years of leadership experience and success. Kids Camp for kids, ages 5-12, emphasizes physical development and education while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Some children return to camp every year and make new friends.  They have new learning experiences while having a lot of fun.  These campers can participate in activities that are not available at home or at other camps. “We do lots and lots of fun activities with the children that they cannot get at a daycare,” said Micha Alt, who has directed Kids Camp since 2006.  “We rock climb, ice skate, go swimming every day and include wellness and fitness components.”  Other physical activities in which the campers partake include golf, volleyball, basketball, badminton and track and field.  Kids Camp has great resources at Recreation and Wellness facilities including the Perry Field House, BGSU Ice Arena and Forrest Creason Golf Course to participate in their activities. The campers also go on walking field trips to the Sebo Center or other places of interest on campus.

Asked about her favorite part of Kids Camp, Alt said, “There are so many wonderful aspects of Kids Camp I really can’t pick one.” However, one particular activity Alt does enjoy is the scavenger hunts that are especially popular with the children. “The excitement of the children is enjoyable to watch,” Alt said.  Every week Kids Camp has a witty theme in place: Falcon Frenzy, Into the Wild, Wacky Wonderland, Underwater Adventures, Mad Science, The Places We will Go, Around the World and BG’s Got Talent.

Children who attend Kids Camp are in good hands.  The camp is administered by Recreation and Wellness professionals and BGSU graduate and undergraduate students with special training in safety, human relations and interpersonal skills with children. The dedicated camp staff is First Aid and CPR certified for the Professional Rescuer with AED and passed the mandatory background screenings.

Full-time camp costs $119/week and part-time camp is $79/week, with 10 percent discount applied to BGSU employees or families with more than one child’s registration. Register at www.bgsu.edu/recwell and click on Community, Youth & Family on the left menu, by E-mail at kidscamps@bgsu.edu or in person at the Student Recreation Center front desk. For more information, contact Camp Director Micha Alt at 419-372-7482 or 419-372-2000. Sign up the kids today for a fun summer camp at BGSU!

Internship and Practicum Students Wanted for Recreation and Wellness

Aquatics, Fitness, Golf, Ice Arena, Intramural Sports, Outdoor Program, Perry Field House, Sport Clubs, Student Employee Programming, Student Recreation Center, Wellness Connection, Youth and Family

Are you looking for an on-campus internship or practicum for the spring semester? Look no further, Recreation and Wellness is now accepting applications for next semester from a wide variety of majors.

The internships and practicums are open to all majors including recreation and tourism, sport management, marketing and journalism.

“We base the jobs on what the academic credentials are of the student,” Lona Leck, Assistant Director of the Department of Recreation and Wellness, said.

Students can apply to the various departments within Recreation and Wellness including the Ice Arena, Intramurals and Sport Clubs, Youth and Family, advertising, Forrest Creason Golf Course, Perry Field House, Student Recreation Center and Wellness Connection.

Leck believes having interns and practicums within the department helps the staff and broadens the knowledge of the department overall.

“We want to get those new ideas from students,” Leck said. “You know what our programs are lacking more than we do.”

Leck also said the department sometimes gets lucky enough to find an intern or practicum student who they hire full-time.

Not only does interning or having a practicum with Recreation and Wellness benefit the department, but also the students.

“It’s a great experience to put on a resume,” Leck said.

Chris McDaniel, a senior Tourism and Event Planning major, interns with Recreation and Wellness and works on marketing in the Perry Field House. McDaniel said he feels he is gaining a lot of valuable knowledge that is going to help him in his future career.

Carolyn Deas, Senior Sports Management major also enjoys having her practicum at the with the Department of Recreation and Wellness.

“As a practicum student, you learn how to plan an event from the very beginning, from contract to execution,” Deas said. “And it’s rewarding to see it progress over time.”

Leck also said working with the department gives students a “taste of what the work in Recreation is really like.”

Students can  only gain valuable resume-worthy experience and enjoy where they work.

We’re really laid back, but we get our work done,” Deas said. “But that doesn’t stop us from taking a few minutes out of our lunch break to fly a kite, which we’ve done.”

While there are multiple internship and practicum opportunities available within the department, students are encouraged to apply early for positions and not wait until the start of the semester.

Leck also recommends students follow the instructions on the web site.

“We’re most impressed with students who follow instructions,” Leck said.

For those interested in applying for a spring internship, follow the link to learn more about the positions offered and apply now. http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/recwell/page32775.html