Golf Camps This Summer

In recent months, I met with officials of the Lower Shore Family YMCA to discuss the potential for partnerships between the YMCA and Pocomoke City. Director Gary White, Board President Vernon Redden, and the full Board seemed eager to work with the city to provide an extension of recreational opportunities for area residents.

It was agreed that we would focus on two project for the upcoming year. The first to the reestablishment of Summer Golf Camps at the Winter Quarters Golf Course. In past years, this was a very successful program which continued on for decades. Most recently headed by Councilman Robert Hawkins, the program fell into decline due to a lack of adult support staff able to assist Mr. Hawkins.

Last night at the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council, Director White provided the city with a proposed budget for to operate the golf program for ten weeks this summer. The cost was nominal at $1522.00 and I believe this will be fully funded by the city. The first camp would begin the week of June 16th. This promises to be a great opportunity for those wishing to expose a young person to the sport or to provide aspiring young players a chance to improve their skill level. I love the idea of this type of partnering in our community.

The second program would involve the city working with the YMCA to provide funding for transportation costs to allow more underprivileged kids a chance to benefit from after school sports and recreational/learning classes being offered. Currently, students who participate can ride to the YMCA direct from their respective schools following the conclusion of the school day. The problem comes in when some parents do not have transportation to bring their child home. There is currently no provision for getting the kids home following the program, thus parents must pick the kids up at the YMCA. I have suggested that the city would pick up the tab for the return transportation costs for kids living in the city. This would be a means of creating further opportunities for some of the more vulnerable in our community. The budget for this has not been established as of yesterday.

These are just two of the ideas that have been floated around in my meetings with the YMCA staff and Board of Directors. I wish to thank them for meeting with me and being willing to think outside the box on creative ways to provide greater experiences and opportunities for our young people in Pocomoke City.