In-Person And Virtual Activities Planned For Area Youth

Source: Amherst Hurricanes Boosters

The Amherst Hurricanes Boosters will be continuing to support athletic teams, as usual, but this year they will also be expanding offerings thanks to a “Meet the Moment” grant from VELA Educational funds awarded by the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

Physical activities and in-person socialization have been particularly difficult for younger children during the pandemic.  Many of the community’s children have switched from public education to homeschooling, and/or remote only education. The Boosters, therefore, decided to provide two activities, one in-person, and one virtual in collaboration with Amherst Recreation.

The first activity, the Recess Van, will present a range of free fun activities at a rotating set of locations during the “recess time” of 11:30-12:15 p.m. (weather permitting). The Recess Van is geared toward grades K-6 (ages 6-12), and will have recess type activities led by staff and volunteers. The van is conceived as a “ding-dong” cart of activities rather than ice cream. It is expected that children who attend will be in good health and wear masks. The hope is to give Amherst area children a healthy break from screen time, and a positive boost to their day.

Recess Van Dates and Locations (weather permitting):

Mondays (1/11/21, 1/18/21, 1/25/21) at Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut St.

Tuesdays (1/12/21, 1/19/21, 1/26/21) at Mill River Recreational Area, 95 Montague Rd.

Wednesdays (1/13/21, 1/20/21, 1/27/21) at Butternut Farm, 12 Longmeadow Dr.

Thursdays (1/14/21, 1/21/21, 1/22/21) at The Boulders Apartments, 258 East Hadley Rd.

Fridays (1/15/21, 1/22/21, 1/29/21) at Groff Park, 72 Mill Lane

The second activity will be YouTube workouts geared towards grades 4-8 led by the dynamic, Cedric Gonnet, who has been an educator, coach, and motivational speaker. Information will be posted on the Boosters’ website as soon as specific details are known. This program will entail signing up on the Amherst Recreational website, and there will be a small fee for participation.