Well, as you read this, the 2012 Summer Olympics will have started in London but it is also mid-summer here in the Okanagan and a time when our area flourishes.
Obviously we have our great beaches with a lake the envy of people everywhere, and the amount of programs and opportunities here in Summerland are endless.
Congratulations to Summerland Asset Development Initiative and especially Brad Reimer who put in many hours to build the new half pipe skateboard ramp at SADI. Laceydawn Loeppky and her crew offer a wide variety of programs throughout the summer for Summerland youth.
The Summerland Library has offered its popular summer reading club throughout July and the Summerland Museum and Sharon Stone always have fun adventures planned in addition to the history at the Museum.
The South Okanagan Sailing Club (what better a place to be on a hot slightly windy summer day?) have for years offered exciting sailing lessons as all three of my sons can attest and you can still take the white sail classes until the end of the summer.
Our local tennis guru, Doug Holmes, continues with his tennis lessons at the newly resurfaced Powell Beach courts. These popular classes for children aged four to 16 will run until late August.
For a change in direction the Summerland School of Dance offers summer recreational camps combining dance, art and drama.
The Summerland Arts council and The Boys and Girls Club also have a variety of summer programs for youth. Finally you may want to check out the summer day camps run by the Summerland Youth Centre Association which continue to run all summer long. Day camp Director Brea Ratzlaff has been organizing these programs for the past three years and offers amazing fun for youth six to 12.
Enjoy the long weekend, and remember, we still have lots of summer to go!
Dale MacDonald has been Summerland’s Director of Parks and Recreation for the last 22 years and in his sporting past has won provincial championships in four different sports.