ABOVE: Fallyn Jansen and Ella Vang swing happily on the horse-shaped swing set during the Summer Playground Program on Tuesday afternoon at Lincoln Park in Fairmont. The program is offered through Community Education and Recreation (CER) and supervised by John Bartscher. Registration for children in grades 1 to 5 by Aug. 14 by contacting CER at (507) 235-3141 or visiting the CER webstore.

FAIRMONT — Community Education and Recreation (CER) for its ninth year is offering families the Summer Playground Program, which is be held three days a week from June 24 to Aug. 14 at four parks (Gomsrud, Lincoln, Sylvania and Amber Lake) in Fairmont. Program activities include sports, arts and crafts, games, free-play and more opportunities that align with each child’s interests.

“Kids are best when they’re in their element,” said CER/Prime Coordinator John Bartscher, who supervises the Playground Program. “They can be themselves and be different. It’s not like it’s a team with a coach. I keep it as a free environment. And when they’re free, you see who they truly are.”

According to Bartscher, there are approximately 40 children currently registered for the program, with around 13 to 20 in attendance each week. While providing an afternoon of fun for children and their peers, the program aims to enrich children’s skills and allow them to explore different avenues of outdoor entertainment and education.

“For me, I’m a big proponent of social learning, so I really believe that kids learn more when they’re with other kids, kids their own age. That’s why I think sports are important. There are so many sports offered in Fairmont, which is a great thing. But I also think kids who maybe aren’t in sports, it’s important to have something that’s offered that isn’t a sport, that is just getting together with friends in an organized way and having fun doing many different activities and games,” Bartscher said.

The Summer Playground Program also invites children to explore Fairmont by alternating from various park locations each week, including landmarks they may not have discovered before, while also strengthening their connection to the city. Bartscher recounted that during last year’s Summer Playground Program, a guardian approached him, stating they had never visited the park before.

The Summer Playground Program helps build significant memories and deep connections from child to child and encourages inclusivity through various activities.

“I like Summer Playground the best because it gets those kids who I’ve seen sometimes are left out because they’re not athletic or they’re not sporty. When I came to Fairmont a few years ago, I really wanted to start some programs that were not sport-based, because when I grew up, it was just sports and nothing else, and I felt like there were some kids who were left out. Summer Playground is great for that,” Bartscher stated.

Bartscher noted that the Summer Playground Program is made possible by the assistance of parents, volunteers and kids. The program will always accept ideas to improve the program and keep the registered children thriving.

“Anybody that has a suggestion, we’re always open to it, because we want to give these kids as much access to things maybe they wouldn’t have access to, and so we always love it when people from the community come in and volunteer their time,” Bartscher said.

The program is for children in grades 1 to 5. Children younger than that must be closely accompanied by a guardian. Children can be registered throughout the summer until the final day of the CER Summer Playground Program on Aug. 14. Registration is encouraged in order to ensure sufficient supplies and notifications of changes to the schedule, and can be completed by visiting the CER webstore https://www.fairmont.k12.mn.us/o/cer or contacting CER at (507) 235-3141.