Registration for Recreation and Parks Summer Camps Now Available
Parents, now's the time to register your kids for one of Recreation and Parks' 2016 Summer Camps. Over 30 camps are available for children and youth ages 3–20. Registration is available online and in person.
Summer Fun Day Camps begin the week of June 20 and run for one week sessions through August 12. All Summer Fun Day Camps are $135 unless specified; $170 and $200. Fun Camps run Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Camp Keepers (extended care) is available from 6:30–8:30 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. for $15.00 per session (am or pm) per week. Summer Fun Day Camp locations include the Hollywood, Carver, and Leonard Hall Recreation Centers, as well as Elms Beach and Chancellors Run Regional Park.
Two Therapeutic Camps, New Horizons and Camp Inspire, are being offered at Lexington Park Elementary School, Monday through Thursday. Camp Inspire is a 4-week camp designed specifically for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). New Horizons is a 5-week fun filled adventure for children with various disabilities.
Sports Camp opportunities begin on June 20 and continue through August 4. Choose from 13 different sports camps for ages 5 and up. Camp times, location, and price will vary depending on the camp. Full payment is due at time of registration.
Recreation and Parks is offering Camp Limbo for the three days between the last day of school and the first day of camp; June 15–17. Camp Limbo will operate 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m. for $30.00 per day at Carver Recreation Center.
To register online go to www.stmarysmd.com/recreate, or in person at the Recreation & Parks office in Leonardtown. Registrations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 653 Leonardtown, MD 20650.
For more information call 301-475-4200 ext. *1800 or *1801.
Commissioners Invite Citizens to March Public Forum
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County will hold their second Public Forum of 2016 on Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m. The forum will be held in their meeting room, inside the Chesapeake Building, at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown.
Citizens unable to attend the forum in person, and wishing to voice a concern, can take do so on social media. Residents can post comments or questions using the hashtag #CSMCforum to the county's Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/StMarysCountyGovernment) or twitter feed (@StMarysCoGov). Time permitting, comments and questions will be read at the forum. Citizens should include their full name and mailing address when posting to social media as the comments will become part of the official record.
Commissioners of St. Mary's County Public Forums are televised live on St. Mary's County Government TV 95 (SMCG TV 95) on Metrocast Cable and streamed live for online viewing on the county's website at
stmarysmd.com/broadcast.asp. Click on the LIVE link at the top of the page (note: this feature is not available on Apple or mobile devices).
A rebroadcast of the forum can be seen on SMCG TV 95 on Sunday, March 13 at 7 p.m. Forums are also available for viewing on demand on the county's YouTube channel at
youtube.com/user/StMarysCoMDGov?feature=mhee.
Individuals wishing to speak at the Public Forum will be allowed up to three (3) minutes to address the Commissioners (those representing a group will be allotted five (5) minutes to speak.) Anyone wishing to provide more detailed comments may do so via email or regular mail.
Commissioners will hold additional Public Forums in 2016 on the following dates:
• May 3
• September 13
• October 18
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County can be reached via e-mail at csmc@stmarysmd.com or by U.S. mail at Commissioners of St. Mary's County, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.
Hop on Down to the Easter Egg Festival March 19
Easter's on it way and what better way to celebrate the season than at the 33rd Annual Easter Egg Festival. This year's event takes place on Saturday, March 19, at the St. Mary's County Fairgrounds. This rain or shine event will be held from 12–4 p.m. and is open to the entire community.
The Easter Festival has become a staple of the Southern Maryland community every Spring and features egg hunts for all ages, photos with the Easter Bunny (courtesy of Lifetouch Photography), live entertainment, free arts and crafts, an egg decorating contest, face painting, and goods and services for sale by local area vendors.
Cost to take part is $5. In addition, other activities and events include photos with Mr. or Mrs. Bunny, recreational activities, free face painting and crafts. Kids can also meet Superheroes and participate in a BMX course or Tennis Demonstration.
Food and beverages will also be available for purchase. Advance tickets can be obtained at the Recreation & Parks main office in Leonardtown Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Space is still available for local vendors to participate. Recreation and Parks is also seeking donations and sponsorships. Please call for additional details.
Net proceeds from the Easter Festival along with the Scott Verbic Memorial Golf Tournament are used to fund the Recreation & Parks Scholarship Program which provides qualified individual applicants the opportunity to participate in an activity at a 50% prorated amount of the registration fee.
Title sponsor for this year's Easter Egg Festival is Southern Maryland Oil, who also will return to as the Gold Sponsor of the Scott Verbic Memorial Tournament.
For more information please visit
www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/easter or call 301-475-4200, ext. *1800.
Residents Reminded to Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the St. Mary's County Health Department reminds residents to get screened. Most colorectal cancers are found in people age 50 or older; therefore, it is recommended that everyone get screened at age 50. If you have symptoms or high risk factors, you may need to be screened before age 50. Despite being very preventable, colorectal cancer is among the top three cancer killers in the country. Early screening is the most valuable form of protection against colorectal cancer.
The health department offers eligible underinsured residents free colorectal cancer screening and navigation services. For more information, please visit the health department's website at
www.smchd.org.
Support Group Offered to New Parents in St. Mary's County
Being a new parent can feel overwhelming at times. The St. Mary's County Health Department has partnered with local health care providers and professional counselors to provide a Healthy Mommy and Me postpartum support group for new parents. The group meets each Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. at the St. Mary's County Health Department located at 21580 Peabody Street in Leonardtown. Each session provides health education from a medical professional, including obstetricians and pediatric providers. Weekly baby weight checks are provided, and topics will include infant eating habits, stress reduction and depression, safe sleep habits, healthy weight loss and exercise for new moms, and other tips for healthy baby development. For more information about the support group, please call 301-475-6854 or visit the health department's website at
www.smchd.org.