The Palmerton Summer Recreation Committee has begun its summer recreation programs for children ages 6-14.

The child must have completed kindergarten and be living in the Palmerton Area School District.The program is at the Coal Bowl Playground and Borough Park 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday until July 22.The registration cost is $60 per child and the third and fourth child in a family is $25 per child. A staff of teachers, college students and high school students supervise under the direction of Pam Andrews.This is a drop-in program and children do not need to attend every day to participate.In case of rain the program is canceled, as there are no indoor facilities.Andrews, the director of the program, says the best part about the program is that "The younger kids look up to the older kids. The high school counselors are like idols."Andrews said this past year, the kids followed the Palmerton baseball team and had a send-off for one of their very own volunteers, Kelsey Hay, who attended the Olympic trials last weekend for javelin.Greg King, who has been working at the program for 10 years, says "The kids are a lot of fun."There are many outdoor activities, including football, hockey, Wiffle ball, baseball, softball, kickball, volleyball, Frisbee, basketball, tennis, soccer, arts and crafts, and board games."Their favorite activity is definitely dodge ball," King said.There are also special activities some weeks including water days, which include a Slip 'n Slide, a bowling day, a trip to the Palmerton Pool and an ice cream day.A big picnic is planned at the end of the program.Andrews has been doing the program since her son was 5. He's now 22. She has only been the director for a few years."I love spending time with the children, seeing them have fun, active and outdoors."Andrews also says they raise money to keep the registration cost low. Fundraisers include a dine and donate night at Joey B's, the West End Saloon, and the Palmerton Hotel, along with Subway coupons.Extra registration forms will be available at the S.S. Palmer playground during summer rec hours. There is no deadline for registration.For more information, call Pam Andrews at 610-826-4704 or email

pandrews@ptd.net.