Amery Tompkins, Jackson Schutt and Julian Harvey receive advice from counselor Denny Urbina before a pickup game in the OWO Gym. | Clif Knight

OWO Rec. Center creates summer fun time for kids

Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

More than 100 children between the ages of five and 12 are having the time of their lives as enrollees at the Osborne, Warren, Oden (OWO) Recreation Center’s Summer Camp

The camp opened Tues.,  May 31, with a full roster of 106 children. It will continue Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Fri., Aug. 5.

“It’s a great way for kids to bridge the summer gap (away from wide screen TVs and other electronic gadgets),” said OWO director Felecia Wilson. “Our schedule is filled with fun things for them to do the entire time they’re here.”

Children are divided into smaller groups by age and gender and alternate their activities between a large meeting room, gymnasium and outdoor playground. While one group

is spending free time on the playground, another group will be drawing and coloring and yet another will be playing dodge ball in the gym.

“We have a great staff,” said  Wilson. “Three or four are working on education degrees. Some are home from college for the summer and still others are recent high school graduates. They all have a special rapport with the children and the children love it when they can engage in a pickup game with their counselors.”

In addition to spending quality time inside the OWO, campers are given opportunities to broaden their experiences in other venues.

For example, campers will be able to visit Hartselle Aquatic Center every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Bus transportation will be provided, Admission will be $5 per person.

Out-of-town day trips planned include a visit to the McWane Science Center in  Birmingham on July 28, a field trip to Quail Creek Golf Resort, sponsored by Hartselle Kiwanis Club on June 16 and a trip to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge on July 19. Other outings will include bowling at Family Lanes, water fun at the SNAP Splash Pad and Lazer Tag in Decatur (ages 8-12) on July 21.

OWO Camp and Sparkman Civic Center are working together on two activities for boys and girls in July.

A Boys to Men Camp will be conducted for boys of ages 10-14 in Sparkman Park July 5-8 from 9 to 11 a.m. Boys