Every weekday, any Moorestown student can participate in the Open Gym Program.
By: Amy Filippone
Dept. of Parks & Recreation
Moorestown residents are encouraged to check out the North Church Street Recreation Center on Second Street that was renovated in 2013. The basketball court was refinished and glistens in the natural daylight that streams in through gigantic windows on three sides.
Every weekday, any Moorestown student in grades four through twelve can participate in the Parks and Recreation Open Gym Program. Kids can practice shooting hoops, play in a pick up game or do a little homework.
Open Gym is from 2:30 to 5:15 p.m. for grades four through twelve on Monday through Friday. High School students have additional hours on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. It’s a very casual and welcoming atmosphere — you can stay for two hours or 30 minutes. There is no fee to participate, registration is required and can be completed in about five minutes at the Recreation Center the first time a child attends.
Moorestown Ministerium (a group of local Moorestown churches) donates healthy snacks — apples, oranges, bananas and granola bars — for the program. Theresa Miller, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, realized that any child after school is hungry and needs to refuel, so Open Gym participants would be no different. She approached the Ministerium back in 2013 to see if they could be involved with the Recreation Department. Ever since, they’ve been providing snacks every week for the Open Gym Program as it’s grown through the years.
“Miss. Debbie” Flick works at the Recreation Center and said that Open Gym enables kids to be more independent.
“They form teams and choose teammates on their own, without having a parent choose for them,” Flick said. “They’re able to get along together and referee their own games.”
For basketball and non-basketball kids, Miss. Debbie encourages playing games like Taboo or having an impromptu spelling bee to “do things with them that will teach them things — and not just be here to goof off.”
“It’s important for the kids to interact and also to use their brains,” Flick said.
Every Tuesday, Open Gym hosts “All In Tuesdays” where the third floor is utilized for crafts, games and fun competition.
During winter break, Open Gym will be welcoming college aged students who are back home on Dec. 27, 28 and 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. It’s a chance to catch up and play some hoops.
Take advantage of Open Gym and get ready for winter basketball. You’ll have the opportunity to work on dribbling, shooting baskets, conditioning and engaging with other kids in the community. Start the season off with some sharpened skills and maybe some new friends.
