Hanover Township to run summer open gym program

Kids are already talking about summer and looking forward to Hanover Township’s Summer Open Gym. Running for nine weeks throughout the summer, Open Gym will begin its 18th summer program, providing free and fun activities at schools throughout Hanover Township. Registration is not required.

Open Gym is a combination of basketball, soccer, dodgeball, arts and crafts, educational activities, fitness activities, special events and much more. To date, more than 50,000 youth have walked through gym doors to be part of the Open Gym experience.

“I made a lot of new friends at Open Gym,” said Sergio Duran, 10, a student at Lords Park Elementary School. “I loved playing dodgeball and running around with all of the other kids; it’s just always a lot of fun.”

The program will once again feature ‘Field Trip Fridays,’ an opportunity for participants to take adventures beyond their normal environment, providing youth with education and experiences outside of their everyday activities. ‘Field Trip Fridays’ will combine leadership skills, team building skills, the outdoors and fun in taking a dull Friday afternoon and turning it into a positive, safe experience that challenges youth.

Open Gym will run through Aug. 10, at the following locations from noon to 4 p.m.: Mondays, Bartlett Elementary, 111 North Ave., Bartlett; Tuesdays, Tefft Middle School, 1100 Shirley Ave., Streamwood; Wednesdays, Parkwood Elementary, 2150 Laurel Street, Hanover Park; and Thursdays, Huff Elementary, 801 Hastings Street, Elgin.

Open Gym was developed as an anti-gang prevention program for youth of all ages. The Open Gym atmosphere promotes a sense of belonging and respect. For more information about Open Gym, please contact Hanover Township Youth and Family Outreach Services Coordinator, Jeff Firlej at (630) 483-5799 or at jfirlej@hanover-township.org.

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