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April 2013

Registration Time for Cobb Summer Camps

Cobb Parks offers summer camps meeting the needs of almost any interest.  Camps are offered in arts and performance, recreation programs, tennis, golf, and therapeutics for special-needs individuals. Registration for many programs is coming up in the next few weeks.  Below are the start dates and times for registrations of the various programs:

Cobb Parks will also be hosting the 2013 Camp Expo on May 2nd at the Cobb Civic Center. The Summer Camp Expo is your one-stop shop for summer camp programs for your children! There you will find information about day camps, art camps, church camps, overnight camps, performing art programs, tennis camps and much more. The admission is free. The expo will be held from 11:00am-7:00pm.

For more information, see the summer camp page on the park's web site.  Many camps fill up fast, so don't be left out this summer.  Online registration is available for many camp programs.  If you do not have a PIN number and log-in ID, be sure to do so prior to the registration start date.  Contact the facility of interest for information on how to acquire your PIN and Log-in ID.

Harrison Tennis Center's Elliott Orkin Wins National Championship
Harrison Tennis Center's Elliott Orkin continues his great success in national junior tennis competition with an outstanding performance by winning the Boys 18 & under USTA Super National Spring Championships recently held in Mobile. Orkin, a Cobb county resident, has been training with his coach Stephen Diaz since the age of 12 in the 'Stephen Diaz Tennis Academy' junior development program. SDTA is based out of Harrison Tennis Center in northeast Cobb. Since training at SDTA, Orkin has recorded numerous titles at the southern level, reached a #1 ranking in the south and now reaching a top 10 ranking nationally. Coach Diaz says “It is an outstanding achievement to have another one of the SDTA players have such great success at the highest level of junior tennis”. Just two years ago SDTA’s Hunter Reese achieved a top 10 national ranking and now is a standout college player at University of Tennessee. "This really says a lot about the success of our program, our coaches and how we develop players to maximize their potential" says coach Diaz. Orkin has already committed to play for the University of Florida this upcoming fall season. Steve Lottinger, facility manager of Harrison Tennis Center, states that Orkin’s win comes from his pure dedication and drive. Accomplishments by Orkin, Reese, and many other juniors have really made SDTA and Harrison Tennis Center a junior development powerhouse.

Leslie Walker Receives Cobb's Customer Service Award

Leslie Walker, from Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs was awarded the 'Customer Service Specialist of the Year' award for 2012 by the Customer Service Council of Cobb County government.  Leslie received the award at an event held to honor all of the 2012 quarterly customer service award winners. Each year, the council selects one winner and two finalists from all of the quarterly winners for that year.

Leslie is the Facility Manager of the South Cobb Recreation and Community Center and was recognized for not only serving his customers, but for also having a significant impact on the community around him.  He has been described by his co-workers and customers as "amazing," and "inspirational." Congratulations to Mr. Walker for his committed service to the citizens of Cobb County. (Pictured L-R: Recreation Division Director Terrence Ramsey, Leslie Walker and Director Eddie Canon from  Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs)

Cobb Tennis League - Cobb's Tennis League for Everyone!!!!
The Cobb Tennis League is a tennis league where you compete in singles play against other players of similar ability.  Levels range from NTRP 2.0-5.0.  The 2.0 level is for very beginners - this is a great opportunity to try out your first tennis league.  You do not need to be part of a team - you register individually and you will be matched against other players at your level. This is a flex league where you play when it is convenient for you and you can play anywhere in Cobb County where there are tennis courts (parks, clubs, or subdivisions). There are two seasons each year - spring season and fall season.  The spring season begins the week of April 29th. The Cobb Tennis League is a great way to enjoy fun competition and to meet new people!  Registration for the spring league is currently in progress with an entry deadline of April 22nd.  For more information and registration brochure, see the Cobb Tennis League web site.

5K Race To Benefit Leone Hall Price Park

The Friends of Price Park invite runners and walkers of all ages to participate in the inaugural Cinco Loco 5K race to benefit Leone Hall Price Park on Cinco de Mayo, May 5th, 2013 at 2:00pm.  All participants will receive a technical T-shirt and appetizers from La Cocina Mexican restaurant.  The race will begin and end in the Brookstone Village shopping center at the corner of Mars Hill Road and Stilesoboro Road in Acworth.  It is just $25 if you register by May 2nd.  There will be prizes for the top three male and female runners in each age division. Please visit www.friendsofpricepark.org for more information.

Lifeguard Training Classes Offered at Cobb Aquatic Centers
The Cobb County Aquatic Centers will be offering Lifeguard Training Classes in April. To be eligible to participate in a course, students must be 15 years of age and be able to complete the prerequisite swimming requirements on or before the first night of class (for information on the swimming requirements please contact one of the Aquatic Centers). Participants who pass the class will receive a Lifeguard Training and CPRO (CPR for the Professional Rescuer) certification that is valid for 2 years. Classes begin on April 2nd at the West Cobb Aquatic Center and on April 15th at the Mountain View, Central and South Cobb Aquatic Centers. Registration is only done in person at each facility. If you have any questions please contact the facility where you are interested in taking the class.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Join Keep Cobb Beautiful in celebrating Earth Day with a Community Recycling Event at Jim R. Miller Park on Saturday, April 20!  Kick-Off your spring cleaning by dropping off reusable and recyclable items. In doing so, you can reduce the clutter in your home while reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfills. Do your part in promoting environmental stewardship in Cobb County! Recycling activities will include: document shredding (secure/onsite/free), electronics recycling, latex paint recycling ($4 per gallon), styrofoam recycling, textiles collection (shoes, clothing, etc) and battery recycling (household, cell phones, power tools). For event details contact Keep Cobb Beautiful at (770) 528-1135.

'Natural Connections' Homeschool Science Program
The Natural Resource Management Unit of Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is hosting a science program for homeschooled students. 'Natural Connections', a 3rd to 5th grade science program, includes a study of animals class, symbiosis and the use of microscopes as well as a nature walk. Other ages are welcome as students will be divided into groups by age. The program will be held at Heritage Park in Mableton on April 5th from 2:30pm-4:30pm. The fee to participate is $2.00 per student. Registration is required as space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Kaye Wilson at (770) 528-8824 or kaye.wilson@cobbcounty.org.

Spring Break Camp and Other Events at the Mable House

Spring break is almost here and what better way for your kids to spend it than at the Mable House Arts Center's Spring Break Art Camp! Our camp is split into two camps: ages 6-7 and ages 8-12 years old. The camp is on April 8th-12th from 9:00am-3:00pm. The camp fee is $100 (this includes the supply fee). Children only need to bring a ready-to-eat lunch, wear clothes that can get a little messy and be ready to have a blast! Please call the Mable House Arts Center at (770) 819-3285 with any questions. We are limited on space so register today.

‘Don’t be late for a very important date…’ The Mable House Arts Center is hosting a 'Mad Hatter' Tea Party on May 5th. There will be two seating times: 12:30pm and 2:00pm. Tables that seat 4 are $40 and tables that seat 8 are $80. Get all dressed up and wear your favorite hat! Call (770) 819-3285 to reserve a table.

The Mable House Arts Center has fun and exciting weekend workshops for both children and adults. Some include Figure Drawing & Painting, Clay African Drum and Spring Fling Owl & Flower Bowl for kids. To register or for more information, call (770) 819-3285.

A Variety of Art Camps Offered This Summer
Cobb's art centers are gearing-up for a fun and exciting summer of art camps. Here is what you will find this summer at our art facilities:

The Art Place - This year’s camp theme is ARTifacts: Can You Dig it? Have you ever wondered how ancient civilizations are discovered, studied and revered for their artistic contributions to the world? “ARTifacts: Can You Dig It” art camp will take young artists through time to discover the role that art has played in the landscape, crafted tools, creatures and culture of early civilizations. Unearth and celebrate early societies through the interesting items they left behind while using unique art mediums, techniques and ARTifacts to create finished masterpieces. Art campers projects will largely be inspired by ancient art, pyramids, geoglyphs and labyrinths, tombs, ancient artifacts and early dwellings to name a few. Have fun creating 2D and 3D works of art that cover painting, printmaking, collage, drawing and more! In addition, theatre games, skills and a specially written play will be performed by older campers.

Students can only register for one of the elementary camps and must be 4 years old by March 11th, 2013 (new policy for summer 2013). Also new this summer is the 'Dig a Little Deeper' camps for ages 9-12 (one week per child only). Summer camp registration is currently in progress. All of our camp offerings are available at www.theartplace.us and you can register in-person or register online through our website.

Mable House Arts Center - Give your child an Asian Art experience without leaving the country. We will tour a variety of destinations including China, India and Indonesia. Students will receive instruction in multiple artworks during this art emersion camp. Each week offers a different curriculum. Stay for just the morning or combine afternoon classes for an extended day. Afternoon camps include clay, performing arts, drumming and much more! Summer camp registration is currently in progress.  Call the Mable House Arts Center at (770) 819-3285 to register or register online or in-person.

The Art Station-Big Shanty - 'Art Across America' is the theme for our summer art camps. Strap on your seat belt and enjoy the ride on this fun-filled cross-country road trip! Each day we'll "visit" a different art musuem and campers will create their own art based on that facility's collections. We offer camp options for ages 18 months through 18 years of age. Summer camp registration is currently in progress. Don’t wait, register early as camps are expected to fill quickly!

Jennie T. Anderson Theatre - Performance Camps

E.T.C. is the Exciting, Entertaining, Educational Theatre Company. This energetic and fun camp is for students who enjoy the performing arts and want to be on stage. Campers will rehearse a musical show to be performed for family and friends Friday Night. Campers should have an equal interest in singing, dancing and acting. No experience required—just high energy and enthusiasm.

Prompt Camp is a musical theatre camp - not a performance opportunity. Campers will work on their musical theatre skills in acting, singing and dancing through study in vocal technique, stage presence and good audition materials. An excellent follow up for an E.T.C. camper.

SPLOST Projects Update
On March 15, 2011, a referendum on a four-year SPLOST (Special Local Option Sales Tax) was approved by voters. This program will be in effect from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015. From this SPLOST, Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs will be utilizing $82,023,000 for revitalization, facility renovations and upgrades to parks and facilities. Planning, coordinating and scheduling projects are in their early stages, but you will now be able to see some of the work in progress or soon to begin. Here is a list of current projects:

These are just a few of the numerous projects that you will see in the next few years updating and revitalizing our parks' system. For a complete listing of projects and updates, see the Splost 2011 web page on the Cobb County website.