Get Active: Recreation Department Thinks Spring With Leagues, Classes

With spring just around the corner, both parents and kids are looking forward to outdoor activities.

The is playing host to a number youth-oriented sporting events and groups during the upcoming spring and summer months.

Salvatore DiCaro, recreation director for Macomb Township, said he believes the programs are important because they keep kids busy.

“We want to see these kids living an active and healthy lifestyle,” he said. “These programs allow them a chance to participate in a lot of different events. Given the current state of the economy as well, we want to make this as economical as possible for families.”

The Clinton-Macomb Girls Fastpitch League is currently open for registration by mail. Children under 12 should register by the end of February. Registration for 14 and under and 18 and under teams is open until March 31.

At the Aquatic Center, learn to swim classes (for ages 5 to 12) and preschool swimming classes (age 6 months to four years) are offered in two sessions for each age group. The first is from Feb. 28 until March 28. The second is March 1 through March 29.

Fees for the classes are $45 for residents and $50 for non-residents.

For those interested in tennis, certified tennis professional Bill McGarry teaches indoor sessions for individuals of various ages. For peewee groups, ages 4 to 7, a new class runs for seven weeks from March 7 to April 21. The fee is $154 for residents and $159 for non-residents.

For youth beginners and youth advanced beginner/intermediate, classes run March 7 through April 21 and cost $230 for residents and $235 for non-residents.

Academy tournament training for ages 9 to 18 is also available by calling McGarry at 586-855-8990.

In anticipation of water fun this summer, boating safety classes are also being offered for those 12 and over at the . The session lasts two weeks and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 20 and May 7. The fee is $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

Running from March 5 to March 26, the recreation center also offers a special basketball skill-training workout, running at three different times on Saturdays, for grades first through eighth. Veteran coach Lima Pereira leads the session for the B-ball University. The fee for the class is $65 for residents and $70 for non-residents.

Macomb Township also offers several activities for special needs residents. The Spirit Rocks Extraordinary Cheerleader group teaches basic cheerleading moves, group cheers, formations, jumps, dance routines and some tumbling for children age 8 to 18. An upcoming session runs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 2 through April 13. The fee for the class is $50 for residents and $55 for non-residents.

Also for special needs individuals is a basketball program where athletes learn basic skills as well as understanding the positions of the players on the court. The program runs from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 2 through April 13. The program costs $50 for residents and $55 for non-residents.

The is located at 20699 Macomb Street (off Broughton Road, east of Romeo Plank, south of 25 Mile Road). Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit www.macomb-mi.gov or call 586-992-2900.