Summer activities in Vail, 2008

VAIL — With summer just around the corner, the Vail Recreation District’s (VRD) summer line up is ready to test some of the best runners and mountain bikers in the state and nation, as well as offer children’s programs, sports camps, nature programs, adult hiking programs, golf, indoor ice skating and more.

Nature Center

Considered one of Vail’s best kept secrets, the Nature Center will offer unique, world-class programs this summer including plant and animal exhibits, wildflower and morning bird walks, evening beaver pond tours, a summer speaker series, a hiking club, fly fishing and stream ecology classes, photography in nature classes and campfire story telling with star gazing. The Nature Center also will offer information of the benefits and dangers of useful plants and herbs through its Nature’s Medicine Chest and Pantry class. The Nature Center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 through Labor Day weekend and is located adjacent to Ford Park and across the street from the soccer fields. For details, go to www.vailrec.com or call 970-479-2291.

Vail Golf Club

Open to the public, the Vail Golf Club will kick off its 42nd season in late May. In addition to private and group workshops and clinics, the Golf Club also will offer ladies’, men’s and senior leagues, plus the Sunday Sundowner where foursomes will enjoy a nine-hole scramble, followed by appetizers and drinks at the Happy Valley Grill. The First Tee Junior Golf Program also will take place beginning June 16 and teach participants life lessons and skills through the sport of golf. Call 970-479-2260 to book tee times or go to www.vailgolfclub.net for rates and additional details.

Youth Services

The Youth Services staff will provide children unforgettable experiences this summer with Camp Eco Fun, Extreme Camp Vail, Pre-Kamp Vail and Camp Vail. Camp Eco Fun will host children ages four to six from June 9 through Aug. 21 with hands-on learning about the natural environment at the Vail Nature Center, plus crafts and activities that supports the weekly ecological theme. Extreme Camp Vail will take place Fridays July 11 to Aug. 8 and offers ages eight to 13 adventure-packed days including rafting, a trip to the Glenwood Caverns and a trip to Waterworld to name a few. Pre-Kamp Vail takes place June 9 through Aug. 15 and will offer pre-school aged children, ages 30 months to five years, learning activities including arts and crafts, games and daily outings. Camp Vail will offer children ages five to 12 multi-faceted activities from June 9 through Aug. 22 including golf, ice skating, gymnastics, hiking and art. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 970-479-2290 for information or visit www.vailrec.com.

Imagination Station

The Imagination Station, Vail’s learning and discovery center for children ages two through 12, will be open throughout the summer. Located in the Lionshead parking structure above Subway, the Imagination Station is a drop-in children’s museum featuring hands-on art and science activities including a Bernoulli Blower, Marble Mania, Pendulum Art, a black-light room where children can “freeze” their shadows, toddler play area and “Science of Sound” exhibits. Cost is $5 per child, per day or a 10-day punch card for $35. Additionally, children ages three and older, who are toilet trained, can be dropped off with Imagination Station staff for up to three hours for $10 per child, per hour. Staff will guide children through a variety of activities depending on interest. Reservations are required for drop-off. Hours vary, call 970-479-2292 for seasonal hours and details.

Vail’s Skatepark

Vail’s skatepark will return this summer on the top deck of the Lionshead parking structure in Vail. Youth Services instructors will teach participants everything from basic skills and etiquette to perfecting tricks. Skateboard clinics will take place on Tuesdays from June 17 through Aug. 19 and are for ages seven to 14 years old. Call 970-479-2292 for information.

Tennis Center

The Ford Park Tennis Center will offer a full-range of tennis activities for juniors and adults on its 12 courts late May through Labor Day weekend. Programs will include men’s and women’s tennis clubs, weekly matches and junior tennis clinics. Patrons also can look forward to the annual Bill Wright Colorado Clay Court Open and Senior Tennis Tournament in the fall. Pricing and additional information are available at www.vailrec.com or by calling 970-479-2294.

Gymnastic Center

The Gymnastic Center will be in full swing this summer, offering its regular gymnastic programs, which include trampoline classes, open gym opportunities, martial arts classes and more. In addition, the Gymnastic Center is a perfect venue to host birthday parties throughout the summer. Call 970-479-2287 for information or visit www.vailrec.com.

Dobson Ice Arena

For those looking to escape the summer heat, public indoor ice skating will be available throughout the summer at Dobson Ice Arena beginning June 9. Dobson also will offer women’s and men’s adult summer ice hockey leagues beginning in June, while summer skating school for all ages will be offered various weeks throughout the summer. Additionally, the 23rd Annual Bob Johnson Hockey School will return July 20-26 for youth skaters of all abilities. Show Time Skating will take place throughout the summer with a performance scheduled July 5 featuring “High School Musical.” Hours for public skating vary, call 970-479-2271 or visit www.vailrec.com.

Trail Running Series

Named Colorado’s “Best Race Series” by Colorado Runner Magazine, the VRD’s annual trail running series begins June 7-8 with the 10k Spring Run Off and 5k Mud Run as part of the Teva Mountain Games at Vail. New this year, La Sportiva Summer Solstice Twilight 5k and 10k trail run and a kid’s run will take place June 21 in Beaver Creek and include an after party with music and food and drink. The Summer Solstice will be followed by the La Sportiva Vail HillClimb on July 6, La Sportiva Vail Half Marathon and Berry Picker trail run on July 20, La Sportiva 10k at 10,000 Feet on Aug. 10, Beaver Creek Vertical Ascent on Aug. 23 and La Sportiva Mountain Cup Vail Trophy Challenge on Aug. 31. The series ends with the La Sportiva Evergold 10k on Sept. 7. Course maps, start times and registration are available at www.vailrec.com or call 970-479-2280.

Mountain Bike Series

The VRD is proud to offer mountain bike racing for all ages and abilities this summer with the Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek Challenge Bike Series. The mountain bike series will kick off May 28 with the Eagle Classic in Eagle Ranch followed by the Berry Creek Bash on June 18. The series will then return to Vail for the 25th Anniversary Davos Dash on June 25. On July 9, the series then heads up towards Red Cliff for Camp Hale race and then back to Vail where on July 23 racers will head up Vail Mountain for the challenging Vail Mountain Grind. Rounding out the season, the final race of the series will head to Beaver Creek for the Beaver Creek Blast on Aug. 6. Course maps, start times and registration are available at www.vailrec.com.

Youth sports clinics and leagues

Throughout the summer the VRD will host an array of youth sports camps including volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, baseball and basketball, plus the Howard Head Sports Performance Enhancement and MiniHawks Camp. Additionally, during the spring and fall, the VRD manages the youth soccer leagues for ages four through 13. Information and registration is available at www.vailrec.com.

Adult sports leagues

The VRD will organize softball, soccer, golf, sand volleyball and kickball leagues during the summer as follows:

· The adult 8v8 Summer Soccer League will take place May 19 through Sept. 1 at Battle Mountain High School in Eagle-Vail.

· Women’s, men’s and co-ed Slow Pitch Softball Leagues offering 10 weeks of action, June 2 through Sept. 1 at the Ford Park softball fields.

· Summer Sand Volleyball League will offer two divisions, 2’s and 4’s co-ed, June 2 through Sept. 1 at the Vail athletic fields.

· New this year, an adult F.A.C Kickball League will take place on Fridays June 6 through Aug. 29.

· Leagues for men, ladies’ and seniors will take place throughout the summer at the Vail Golf Club. Start dates will coincide with the opening of the Vail Golf Club in late May.

Information and registration are available at www.vailrec.com.

For more information on VRD activities and events, call 970-479-2279 or go to www.vailrec.com.