Hanover Twp. holds Spring Break Open Gym
Parents looking to keep their children busy during spring break can take advantage of Hanover Township’s Open Gym spring break program.
Starting on Monday, March 26 and running through Thursday, March 29, youth can participate in basketball, dodgeball, soccer, arts and crafts, the Open Gym Game Room, a daily raffle drawing for a chance to win prizes and much more action-packed activities at locations throughout the township.
“Spring Break Open Gym is an awesome place to make new friends while we are off from school. I have a lot of fun there playing basketball and hanging out,” said Jeremiah Alvarez, age 10.
On Monday at Bartlett Elementary and Thursday at Lords Park Elementary there will be a balloon artist from 12:30-3:30 p.m. making creative and eye-popping balloon animals to pass out to youth.
On Tuesday at Tefft Middle School, special guest DJ Reggie will be spinning the latest hits at the Open Gym Dance Party. On Wednesday, the Amazing Animal Show will showcase an interactive, educational animal performance. After the amazing animal show, youth will have the opportunity to get an up close look at the animals. This incredible animal show will take place at Parkwood Elementary from 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Since the summer of 1995, Open Gym has always been a combination of recreational, social and educational activities. Open Gym expanded in the winter of 1997 to include winter break and again in the spring of 1998 to include spring break.
Open Gym had its last expansion in September of 2009 turning Open Gym into an after school program, five days a week for four hours after school.
“Spring Break Open Gym offers a lot of options and exciting activities to youth and teens where they can meet new friends and have a ton of fun while off school,” said Jeff Firlej, Hanover Township After School Program Coordinator.
This free program will be held on Monday at Bartlett Elementary School (Door #6), 111 North Aven. in Bartlett for ages 5-14; Tuesday at Tefft Middle School (Main Entrance), 1100 Shirley Ave. in Streamwood for ages 7-18; Wednesday at Parkwood Elementary (Door #3), 2150 Laurel Ave. in Hanover Park for ages 5-14; and Thursday at Lords Park Elementary, 323 Waverly Drive, (Door #4), in Elgin for ages 5-14. Open Gym is from 12-4 p.m. each day.
Designed to give youth a safe, fun and positive place to go, the Open Gym program was developed as an anti-gang prevention program for kids of all ages. The Open Gym atmosphere promotes a sense of belonging and respect.
“I love playing outside during Spring Break at Open Gym, the supervisors are so nice and I get to play games like tug of war and capture the flag with my friends,” said De’aiza Dyson, age 9.
For questions or information, contact Jeff Firlej at (630) 483-5799 or at jfirlej@hanover-township.org