By Greg Ellison

(July 23, 2020) In addition to receiving a Worcester County Commissioners proclamation earlier this month, Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks staff members have launched a number of sports and summer camps during July according to coronavirus health and safety guidelines.

Director of Recreation and Parks Debbie Donahue accompanied department staff for a presentation commemorating National Recreation and Parks month during the commissioners meeting on July 7.

“We are so very happy that Worcester County made the proclamation for July to be Recreation and Parks month,” she said.

Regardless of unprecedented limitations for social interaction being practiced as covid-19 cases continue to mount, July typically marks a peak period for recreational pursuits.

“We love July,” she said. “We get to celebrate, show off our staff and why we love what we do.”

The annual county proclamation marking National Recreation and Parks month recognized that recreation programs are fundamental to community health, while designating the 2020 theme as “We Are Parks and Recreation.”

The county commissioners proclamation encourages residents and visitors to embrace the great outdoors while exploring the array of parks, trials, playgrounds and natural areas found in Ocean Pines and throughout Worcester.

“We have been posting things about July being Recreation and Parks month to our Facebook page,” she said.

On July 14, a video produced by Recreation and Parks staff was posted to Facebook to introduce department members to the larger community.

“Katie Geotzinger and Brittany Jarman made a video of different employees, stating how long they have worked here and why they love Rec and Parks,” she said. “We will also post some pictures of Ocean Pines Recreation in July.”

Turning to the current slate of summer activities, Donahue said a few new offerings are now on tap.

“We are starting soccer and T-ball next week with a limited number of participants,” she said.

Summer soccer for kids ages 6-8 takes place on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. from July 22-Aug. 19 at Somerset Park. Cost is $40 for Ocean Pines residents and $45 for non-residents.

Summer T Ball for kids ages 4-6 takes place on Thursdays at 6 p.m. from July 23-Aug. 13 at the Manklin Meadows Field. Cost is $25 for Ocean Pines residents and $30 for non-residents. Participants must provide their own baseball gloves.

Both summer soccer and t-ball will be modified to meet CDC guidelines, with attendees requested to social distance at least six feet from non-family members.

Ocean Pines staff will disinfect equipment and participants are required to only use the ball provided. Participants must also sign a registration waiver.

“We’re also making adjustments to the normal style of the game to follow social distancing and CDC guidelines,” she said.

Donahue also noted both the previously launched Big Wave Surf Camp and Body Boarding Camp, held on the Ocean City beach near 36th Street, were conducted without incident and are slated to return shortly.

“Surf and body boarding went well earlier in the summer,” she said. “There will be more dates later in the summer.”

Donahue said the recreation department is continuing to monitor state directives and will post future updates as they arise.

For more information or questions, contact the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department at 410-641-7052, email rec@oceanpines.org, or visit www.oceanpines.org/web/pages/recreation-parks.