By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Oct. 23, 2025) The Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department is gearing up to host new offerings this offseason for all age groups.

Advertised as “for new recruits and squires,” a Dungeons and Dragons club will be held for ages eight to 12. The meetings will take place each Tuesday in November, from Nov. 4 to Dec. 23, at the Ocean Pines Community Center. Residents can join for $10. Non-residents can participate for $15. Promotional materials maintain that dice will be provided.

Ocean Pines will also host Dungeons and Dragons clubs for participants a little older, as players from ages 13 to 17 can join the mythical group as well. Meetings for the teenagers will take place on Wednesdays from Nov. 5 to Dec. 10. Residents must pay $15, while non-residents incur a cost of $25. Similar to the group for the youngsters, members will meet at the Ocean Pines Community Center, and dice will be provided.

An adult Dungeons and Dragons will also be available this autumn in OP on Fridays in November, advertised as “for veterans and new adventurers.” Residents can pay $25 to join, and non-residents will be charged $30. The meetings will take place at the community center in White Horse Park.

To continue the community’s lineup of spooky season-themed events, a Halloween BMX and Skate Jam is scheduled for this weekend, on Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Ocean Pines skate park at White Horse Park.  The event is free to attend and will take place from noon to 5 p.m. The jam will include a BMX stunt show, an open ride, skate and BMX contests, costume competitions, food and refreshments, and prizes.

A “Hoopsters” basketball clinic will soon be underway for kids of all ages. According to the Ocean Pines Association’s Recreation and Parks Department website, the lessons will take place on Saturdays from Nov. 8 to Dec. 13. The advertisement says that participants will “learn the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting, game strategy and rules. Each week will consist of skills and drills that progress into scrimmaged games.”

The clinic is for boys and girls ages 4 to 13. The lessons are scheduled as follows: ages four to six, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; ages seven to nine, 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; and ages 10 to 13, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. OP residents can sign their kids up for the program for $45. Non-residents must pay $55. To register, call rec and parks at 410-641-7052.

Coming up soon is the annual Pup of the Pines Photo Contest. Residents will have until Saturday, Oct. 25, to submit a picture of their dog for the chance for their pet to be the “Pup of the Pines” for the entire year.

The rec and parks website says that,“as a ‘Pup of the Pines’ photo contest winner, your pup will receive a free 2026 Ocean Pines Dog Park registration. They will also be the official face of the dog park for 2026 and will be featured in the Ocean Pines Activity Guide and other postings throughout the year.”

Residents who would like to submit their dogs for consideration can do so for a $5 fee. Official entry forms will be available at the OPA Community Center, and the top eight pets will be on display at the Ocean Pines Halloween Fall Festival scheduled for Oct 25. Attendees at the event will be able to vote for their favorite. The winner will be announced at the Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 29.

More OPA Recreation and Parks events can be found on the community’s official website.