July is National Parks and Recreation Month and Georgetown County is celebrating with an ice cream social on July 9 and a wide-ranging line of new programming. The ice cream social will be from 4-6 p.m. at Beck Recreation and is free to attend for all ages.
The summer schedule too offers something for all ages and a variety of interests, from activities to get your heart pumping to more passive pursuits to help you get in tune with nature.
“We’re trying out some new things and we’re really excited about it,” said Beth Goodale, director of Georgetown County Parks and Recreation. “I think the community is going to be really excited too. There really is a lot on our schedule to enjoy this summer.”
One of the programs Goodale is most excited about is the department’s new “GO” series, short for Georgetown Outdoors, which aims to get residents exploring some of the great outdoor resources right here in their own backyard. The program will take participants to tour Samworth Wildlife Management Area on July 10, Huntington Beach State Park on July 24, Hasty Point Plantation on Aug. 7 and Rocky Point Community Forest on Aug. 28. Activities at the sites include hiking, educational programs, geocaching and wildlife viewing. Space is limited to 15 people per trip, with transportation provided from Beck Recreation Center. The program is open to all ages, but those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Georgetown County Parks and Recreation will also host three Nature Walk and Scavenger Hunt events this month. Dates are July 13 at Rocky Point, July 20 at East Bay Park and July 27 at Stables Park. Walks begin at 10 a.m. and participants will be given a list of plants to find on their adventure. Mini treasure chests will also be hidden along the trail for participants to find and photograph to receive credit. The team or individual with the most credits wins a gift bag. The program is open to all ages.
Friday, July 23, will be Outdoor Movie Night at Beck Field Complex. The department will show Disney’s “Moana” beginning at 8 p.m. (Rain date is July 30). Snacks will be available for purchase at the field’s concession stand. Families should bring chairs or blankets from which to enjoy the film.
For budding artists, a free Rock Painting event will take place on July 16 from 3-6 p.m. at Beck Field Complex. No registration is required and all supplies will be provided.
In regard to sports, the county’s Playground Legends basketball program will take place on Friday evenings throughout the month and will have some of the “old-timers” who used to play on the courts at Black River Road drop by from time to time to share their expertise and moves with younger generations.
Additionally, each week in July individuals of all ages will be invited to their local recreation center to learn about a featured sport of the week and then put their new knowledge into action in a friendly game. Programs are from 2-4 p.m. on Mondays at Choppee, Tuesdays at Waccamaw, Wednesdays at Beck and Thursdays at Andrews. Featured sports will include Kickball, flag football, Pickleball and Ultimate Frisbee.
The Department is also hosting Volleyball on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. at Waccamaw Regional Recreation Center. And registration is open until Aug. 23 for Fall Youth Sports, including Tackle Football (ages 9-12), Flag Football (ages 5-12), Cheerleading (ages 5-12) and Cross Country (ages 5-12). The season begins Sept. 20.
For more information about any of these programs, call (843) 545-3320 or visit gtcparks.org.