March 10, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

It might not feel like it when you send them off to school, but kids will be on summer vacation before you know it – and it’s time to plan now to help them make the most of it.

Staying active during the summer is a great way to work on both fitness basics and build toward better performance in athletics.

Here’s what GreatLIFE is planning in the months ahead:

Summer Sport Performance Program

This year, GreatLIFE’s Summer Sport Performance Program has been revamped completely.

“We’re offering two distinctly different offerings that allow parents and athletes to choose the program that is best for them,” said GreatLIFE’s Nate Christensen, fitness leader and sport performance lead.

This summer’s primary program is the eight-week Sport Performance Training Program, focused on developing young athletes from all sports.

“This program is for anyone between the ages 10 to 17 that wants to improve and develop their overall athletic ability to better prepare for the upcoming season of whatever sport or sports they play,”  Christensen said.

“Our program is coached by several of our top fitness professionals within GreatLIFE, most of which are former college athletes. Going with one eight-week session instead of two shorter programs gives us a better time frame to progress and show improvements in your athletes’ athletic ability.”

Athletes will go through performance testing, organized workouts and group activities to improve:

• Speed, agility and reaction time.
• Jumping and landing.
• Overall strength, proper exercise form and movement.
• Teamwork.

The program will run three days per week for 50 minutes each beginning June 5 and going through Aug. 4. It will be held at GreatLIFE Harrisburg, and athletes will sign up for sessions at 8:30, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. The cost is $225 for GreatLIFE members, and $250 for nonmembers, with a discount available for multiple children.

The second sports performance program being offered this summer is the GL Athletic PE Program. It’s designed for anyone age 7 to 17 looking to do something active outside with a group of kids twice per week.

“This program is less focused on development in sport performance and more focused on providing a fun and safe group activity twice a week for kids,” Christensen said. “This program runs on different days then the Sport Performance Training Program, so athletes do have the option to do both if they wish.”

This program will be held at 9 or 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and is split into two sessions: June 6-29 and July 11-Aug. 3. Cost is $75 per session for members and $100 for nonmembers.

To register for either program, check the GreatLIFE app or email [email protected].

PLAY All Summer

What kid wouldn’t like the sound of something called PLAY All Summer?

Held in two sessions at Woodlake Athletic Club, these programs are a chance to explore sports, have fun and meet new friends while learning helpful life lessons along the way.

“Our focus is to teach various sports throughout the summer while also teaching life skills like leadership, respect and teamwork,” said Tristen Jackson, PLAY Everything coordinator.

“Sports will be taught through a variety of drills and fun, sport-specific games.”

A workbook called GamePLAN will support the program and cover its different life themes each week.

The first session runs June 5-30, and the second is July 10-Aug. 4.

The price is $75 for members and $100 for nonmembers.

Sign up by checking the GreatLIFE app or emailing [email protected].

Summer camps

Want to try out a sport for a few days? Or sprinkle mini camps throughout the summer? PLAY Everything has a full slate of camps planned, designed for kids age 8 to 13.

Here’s the schedule:

Basketball, all at Woodlake Athletic Club

• June 5-7
• June 19-21
• July 10-12
• July 24-26

Football, all at GreatLIFE Harrisburg

• May 29-31
• June 12-14
• June 26-28
• July 31-Aug. 2
• Aug. 7-9

“We really want this to be accessible for families, so we’re offering a great value,” Jackson added.

The price is $50 for members and $65 for nonmembers. Plus, sign up by May 1 and save 10 percent off. Families with multiple kids participating will receive a discount.

Sign up by checking the GreatLIFE app or emailing [email protected].