Treveon, 10, and Braylen Fair, 7, love to participate in Starkville Parks and Recreation Department’s summer programs.

The boys chucked with glee as they hit a volleyball back and forth with a handful of other children Thursday evening at the Starkville Sportsplex. While each of them ultimately  wanted to win the match, they were just excited to have the opportunity to play.

Their mom, Santana Callington, brings them nearly every night to whatever activity the department is hosting, whether that be kickball, volleyball, basketball or cornhole.

“I’ve just been trying to find something for them to do,” Callington said. “Every day, they can do some kind of new activity. It gets them away from the TV and off of their phones. I tell them when we’re here, be off of your phones. Let’s get out and be active.”

The Fair siblings are just two of the kids involved in the department’s activities throughout June and July. In addition to being free to families, there is no sign-up required, meaning kids and their parents can show up to any activity they’re interested in on any day they can make it.

These “open-gym” style programs include pickleball 9-11 a.m. every Wednesday and Friday, volleyball 5-9 p.m every Thursday and cornhole 5-9 p.m. every Friday at the Travis Outlaw Center on 405 Lynn Lane. Aside from these scheduled activities, the gym at the Starkville Sportsplex will be open every day throughout the summer for kids to come play basketball.

Spearheading the programs is SPRD Athletic Director Gretchen Reeves. She said the department wanted to give kids an opportunity to enjoy physical activity during the summer.   

“It’s just an opportunity for people to get out and get active,” Reeves said. “We just thought if we could offer some free activities, parents might take advantage of that.”

All ages can attend these free programs, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. There is no need for people to sign up, Reeves said. They can just show up and play.

Callington said she loves that these programs are free because it allows not just her children, but any kid the opportunity to participate in sports.

“I also love that you don’t have to pay,” Callington said. “That’s just a big advantage because it’s something anyone can do.”

Due to COVID-19, SPRD was not able to hold events such as these last year, so Reeves said she is thankful the department is able to host the programs now for the kids. Sportsplex employees will administer all activities. 

“It’s just a fun, safe place for them to come,” Reeves said. “We’re promoting physical activity and being healthy, so it’s just a place they can come to stay out of trouble in the summer and be healthy and active and hopefully be with their friends or their family and be able to enjoy sports and doing something different during the summer.”

SPRD is also hosting adapted sport programming for people with disabilities throughout the summer. Dates include 5-7 p.m. June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13 and July 20 for ages 4-100. Sensory Friendly Swim will also be from 11 a.m. to noon every Friday at Moncrief Park as an opportunity for differently-abled kids to enjoy the pool in a quieter and calmer atmosphere.

Reeves said one of the department’s goals is to become more inclusive, and hosting these adapted sports programs is a step in that direction.

“We’re trying to be more inclusive and provide more opportunities for kids and adults with disabilities, and this is kind of our starting point with that by doing these adapted sports nights,” Reeves said. “Then, throughout the year coming up, we have different leagues that are either going to be inclusive leagues or adapted leagues.”