North Fork, Calif. – The summer program at the North Fork Recreation Center is in full swing. And this year, the unofficial “Grandmas Club” is there to add a little something extra.
Last year, Roz Thrapp noticed that many grandparents were bringing their grandchildren to the Recreation Center. She suggested to Barbara Grow that perhaps the grandmothers could get together and make things a little more fun. Isn’t that what grandparents are for? And that’s how the idea for “Grandma’s Club” was born.
This year, Barbara and her husband John ran with the idea. “It’s a great opportunity for old friends, who had their children at the Rec a generation ago, to visit and reflect on what a blessing it is to have the Rec,” said Barbara, then added, “All grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and friends are welcome!” Barbara promotes the club on the North Fork Locals Facebook page, and she and her husband, John, welcome any new grandparents who come. There is even a Grandma’s change bag, which John manages, for any child who wants a snack from the Snack Shack but doesn’t have any money with them.
Each week on Thursday, Roz Thrap and Sharon Morley organize something special for the kids. The day I visited, they provided home-made modeling dough, to which the kids could add colors and create anything they could imagine. Not only did Roz and Sharon bring pre-made dough and food dye, but they also had assembled take-home kits with instructions so that the kids could continue the fun at home.
Summer activities at the recreation center are a long-standing tradition in North Fork. The Rec Center itself was started in the early 1950s by the North Fork Boosters, who leased several acres of land from PG&E along the south fork of Willow Creek. They have been operating the program for the sole benefit of the town for over 70 years. I learned how to swim there when I was a boy 40 years ago. Pools were not a common thing around town when I was a kid, and if you wanted to swim, the Rec Center was the closest option.
The Rec Center is still operated by the North Fork Boosters and funded by the annual Loggers Jamboree. During the summer, they provide free lunches for all children ages 0-18 years. They also pay for a lifeguard, who is present to watch the swimming area during official program hours.
Carly Sciana, Program Director, operates the “Snack Shack” at the Rec during the summer months. “I was excited to be asked to take the position of director for the Summer Youth Program at the Rec Center. I remember swimming at the Rec as a kid and hanging out with friends there as a teen. I also took my kids when they were younger. To be able to help carry on this tradition, knowing that families are creating similar memories in this special place, is an incredibly rewarding experience. I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
The Rec Center is an amazing and unique community resource. The Summer Youth Program operates Monday through Friday each week (except on holidays) from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Free lunches are provided to all children between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm every day. The program runs from the week that school gets out until the first week of August.
