Polk City Parks & Recreation Summer 2025 Program Brochure by cityofpolkcity

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PARKS & RECREATION

MISSION: To provide high-quality facilities, parks, programs, and special events that meet the needs of the Polk City community.

VISION: To be a leader in promoting community health and well-being through safe, diverse, and fun parks and recreation events and programs.

HOW TO REGISTER

POLK CITY PARKS & RECREATION

P.O. Box 426, 200 S. 4th Street

Polk City, Iowa 50226

(515) 984-6233 | www.polkcityia.gov

1. Online at www.polkcityia.gov/parksand-recreation

2. In-person at City Hall (address to left)

3. By calling City Hall at (515) 984-6233

Meet the Director

JASON THRAEN

The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer! That can only mean one thing, SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE! Summer fun seems to be infinite, and we all have our favorites (mine happen to be golfing and cycling), but I’m here to tell you there is always room for more fun!

For the kiddos, check out all of our different camps! Adults, put together a team and enjoy one of our COED sports leagues! At least 55 years young? Join us for an exciting daytrip! Looking for something the whole family can enjoy? Check out our free Movies in the Park or the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus!

Whatever you choose to do this summer, keep in mind these words of wisdom from Dr. Seuss.

Parks&RecreationPolicies

Program Refund Policy

To be eligible for a refund, you must cancel at least 7 days in advance of the program start date. Refund will be registration fee minus a $10 admin fee. Refund will be issued as a Parks and Recreation registration credit, or as a check. Failure to give 7 days’ notice of cancelation will result in a non-refund of your registration fee.

*Full refunds will be issued if a program is canceled by Parks & Recreation staff, or if an individual is unable to participate for medical reasons.

Open Air Shelter Refund Policy

To be eligible for a refund, you must cancel at least 14 days in advance of your rental date. Refund will be rental fee minus a $10 admin fee. Refund will be issued as a Parks and Recreation registration credit, or as a check. Failure to give 14 days’ notice of cancelation will result in a non-refund of your rental fee. Refunds will NOT be issued due to weather (rain, temperature, wind, etc.).

Rental Facility Refund Policy

To be eligible for a refund, you must cancel at least 14 days in advance of your rental date. Refund will be rental fee minus 50%. Damage deposit will be refunded. Refund will be issued as a Parks and Recreation registration credit, or as a check. Failure to give 14 days’ notice of cancelation will result in a non-refund of your rental fee. Damage deposit will be refunded.

Photo & Video Release

Polk City Parks and Recreation may record or take photos of participants enrolled in activities, programs, and special events. These photos and/or recordings may be used for future Polk City Parks and Recreation promotional material.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

START SMART BASEBALL

This is an organized, introductory baseball program for the first-time player. Parents will interact and learn how to teach their child a variety of baseball skills including throwing, catching, batting, and base running. Each child will receive a glove, ball, koosh-

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, May 1

Ages: 3-5 yrs.

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays

Dates: May 6-22

Time: 5-5:30PM

Cost: $50

Location: Kiwanis Park

Min/Max: 8/12

START SMART SOCCER

This is an organized, introductory soccer program for the first-time player. Parents will interact and learn how to teach their child a variety of soccer skills including dribbling, kicking, passing, and teamwork. Each child will receive shin guards, practice cones, and a soccer ball.

*When registering, please note there is an AM and PM session of this program.*

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, July 1

TINY TENNIS

Back for 2025! Tiny Tennis is a great way to get involved with your kids and help them develop new skills. Parents will partner with their child to learn the tennis basics in a fun environment. Tennis Pros from Ames Racquet and Fitness will lead you and your child through fun drills and games that focus on learning the fundamentals of tennis. Age appropriate equipment will be provided. *When registering, please note there are two sessions of this program.*

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, May 27

Ages: 3-5 yrs.

Days: Tuesday

Dates: June 3-24

Time: 5:30-6PM

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, July 1

Ages: 3-5 yrs.

Days: Tuesday

Dates: July 8-29

Time: 5:30-6PM

YOUTH PROGRAMS

SUMMER FUN CAMP (7 - 9 yrs.)

Join us for an action-packed week of summer fun! Participants will enjoy field trips with destinations including an aquatic center, indoor and outdoor activity centers, and much more! Participants will also have fun playing & learning games and activities in Polk City parks. Campers will be notified prior to the start of camp of Monday’s activity to prepare accordingly. Participants will be transported by Parks & Recreation staff during camp. *When registering, please note there are two sessions of this program.*

Registration Deadline: Mon., May 26

Ages: 7-9 yrs.

Days: Monday-Friday

Dates: June 2-6

Time: 12:30-4:30PM

Cost: $135

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 20/26

Registration Deadline: Mon., June 9

Ages: 7-9 yrs.

Days: Monday-Friday

Dates: June 16-20

Time: 12:30-4:30PM

Cost: $135

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 20/26

SUMMER FUN CAMP (10 - 12 yrs.)

Registration Deadline: Mon., June 2

Ages: 10-12 yrs.

Days: Monday-Friday

Dates: June 9-13

Time: 12:30-4:30PM

Cost: $135

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 20/26

Registration Deadline: Mon., June 16

Ages: 10-12 yrs.

Days: Monday-Friday

Dates: June 23-27

Time: 12:30-4:30PM

Cost: $135

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 20/26

ALL-STAR SPORTS CAMP

ART IN THE PARK

Calling all artists! Join us as we create a variety of masterpieces throughout the week! Artists will also work together on a group project to be displayed in a city building. Things will get messy throughout the week, so make sure to wear appropriate clothing! *Please note different age groups when registering.*

Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: Mon., July 7

Ages: 5-7 yrs.

Days: Monday-Friday

Dates: July 14-18

Time: 1-4PM

Cost: $85

Location: Miller Park

Explore a plethora of different sports with our All-Star Sports Camp! Each day we’ll learn and play a variety of

Mon., July 14

Ages: 8-11 yrs.

Days: Monday-Friday

Dates: July 21-25

Time: 1-4PM

Cost: $85

Location: Miller Park

Polk City Parks & Recreation is excited to partner with Challenge Island to provide STEAM camps again this summer!

Challenge Island is a leading provider of STEM-based educational enrichment programs designed to engage students in hands-on learning. Their programs integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics with creativity and teamwork. In this screen-free learning environment campers will practice the engineering process, improve 21st century skills, and leave each session feeling proud of all they accomplished.

Space Explorers STEM Camp®

Get ready for a journey through time and space as we meet the great explorers. From Copernicus to Galileo, from the Wright brothers to Amelia Earhart, from Neil Armstrong to Mae Jemison to wherever your imagination will take you. This camp is guaranteed to be an out-of-this-world experience!

Registration Deadline: Mon., June 30

Ages: 5-12 yrs.

Days: Monday-Thursday

Dates: July 7-10

Time: 9AM-3:30PM

Cost: $260

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 10/24

Slimetopia® 2 STEM Camp®

Because you can never have enough slime! By colossally popular demand comes this squishy, squashy, stretchy sequel to our bestselling Slimetopia camp! You and your STEAM Team will be oozing with excitement as you make at least TEN brand new kinds of slime. Register early for this kids-choice camp before the smile totally takes over!

Registration Deadline:

Mon., July 28

Ages: 5-12 yrs.

Days: Monday-Thursday

Dates: August 4-7

Time: 9AM-3:30PM

Cost: $260

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 10/24

(515) 984-6233 | www.polkcityia.gov

Polk City Parks & Recreation is excited to partner with Bricks 4 Kidz® in 2025! Bricks 4 Kidz® offers project-based programs designed to teach early principles and methods of engineering and architecture using LEGO® bricks. These summer camps are a great mix of technic model building, creative basic brick building and other engaging challenges and projects. Some camps have a pop culture theme while others highlight a specific end project but all camps are intended to trigger your young builder’s lively imagination, encourage problem solving and enable children to learn through play. All Campers will take home a B4K t-shirt and a LEGO® mini-fig at the end of each camp week.

Movie Mash-Up LEGO® Camp

Join us for the magic of the movies.... LEGO® style! This camp is filled with a variety of motorized technic models, 3D basic brick and mosaic creations from your favorite Hollywood and Pixar movies. A new theme each day will keep builders inspired to infinity and beyond! Our project based program is designed to teach basic principles of engineering using LEGO bricks while enabling kids to learn through play. We will feature the LEGO Movie, Jurassic Park, Angry Birds, Minions & more. Come build with us and create your own magic!

Registration Deadline: Mon., June 9

Ages: 5-12 yrs.

Days: Monday-Friday

Dates: June 16-20

Time: 9AM-12PM

Cost: $190

Location: City Hall Community Room

Min/Max: 12/16

Super Hero Academy LEGO® Camp

Our MARVEL-ous comic book camp returns with super powered contraptions, vehicles and all of your favorite Marvel & DC Heroes and Villains! Swing into action with our LEGO® webslinger, Thor's catapult, the Hulk Puncher and the Batmobile, of course! To celebrate Superman, campers will build their own version of METROPOLIS, aka New York City, including the Empire State Building and Central Park. Create 3D models and mosaics including Captain America's Shield, Superman's Logo & the Bat Signal. Come join us for this SUPER week of building adventures.

Registration Deadline: Mon., August 4

Ages: 5-12 yrs.

Days: Monday-Friday

Dates: August 11-15

Time: 9AM-12PM

Cost: $190

Location: City Hall Community Room

Min/Max: 12/16

(515) 984-6233 | www.polkcityia.gov

Polk City Parks & Recreation is excited to partner with the Youth Enrichment League {YEL!} in 2025!

{YEL!} first came to Central Iowa in 2016 and currently brings youth after-school and summer day camp programs to most Des Moines area communities. Their mission is to engage youth to think, learn, and play well. They believe that every child possesses unique talents waiting to be discovered and nurtured, and they understand the importance of fostering a love for learning beyond the traditional classroom setting. Additionally, {YEL!} believes that by exposing children to a variety of experiences, they not only gain valuable skills but also discover what truly excites and motivates them.

Video Game Design: Force Warriors Camp

Join our rebellion to storm across the galaxy, face fearsome foes, join the force warriors, and protect the galactic citizenry from the clutches of the dark knights. In this camp, grades K-2 can play video games they dreamed up, designed, and coded themselves. Students will learn multiple elements of video game design, including story arc, character design and creation, coding basics, video game theory and design, and game play and how it relates to the story and lore of the game they have created.

Registration Deadline: Mon., July 21

Ages: 5-8 yrs.

Days: Monday-Thursday

Dates: July 28-31

Coding and Video Games Camp

Time: 9AM-12PM

Cost: $135

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 6/12

Coding is the future! Code is in so many aspects of our lives that it is becoming more important for all young learners to have some exposure to code. YEL Coding Classes for Kids work for students in second grade all the way through middle school. YEL Coding classes leverage the excellent platform of Scratch® for beginning to intermediate grade school coders and Micro:Bit® for upper grade school and middle school coders.

Registration Deadline: Mon., August 4

Ages: 8-12 yrs.

Days: Monday-Thursday

Dates: July 28-31

Time: 1PM-4PM

Cost: $135

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 6/12

(515) 984-6233 | www.polkcityia.gov

YOUTH TENNIS

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 5/12

In the event of inclement weather, the first instance will be made up the Friday of your session. Additional instances will be rescheduled as needed.

Babysitting Basics

Become a better babysitter with Iowa State University Extension! Participants will learn about the responsibilities of a babysitter, what employers expect, and how to care for infants and toddlers. Youth learn about age appropriate toys and activities, safety, and basic first aid. All participants receive a book filled with information about childcare as well as a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, June 24

Ages: 10-18 yrs.

Days: Tuesday

Dates: July 1

Time: 9:00AM-3:00PM

Cost: $45

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 10/16

SummerEmployment

ADULT PROGRAMS

COED SAND VOLLEYBALL

BUMP, SET, and SPIKE your way into our 6 on 6 COED volleyball league! League will consist of regular season play followed by a single elimination tournament. This is a self officiated league. Registrants must sign up as a team; individuals will not be taken. Only one member per team needs to register. All players must sign team roster.

COED ADULT SOFTBALL

Registration Deadline:

Tuesday, May 27

Ages: 18 years and older

Days: Tuesday

Dates: June 3-July 22

Time: 6-10PM

Cost: $125

Location: Kiwanis Park

Min/Max: 6/8 TEAMS

BATTER UP! We’ll have a 7 week regular season followed by a double elimination tournament. Umpires will be provided for the end-of-season tournament. Regular season games will be umpired by league members. Registrants must sign up as a team; individuals will not be taken. Only one member per team needs to register. All players must sign team roster.

Registration Deadline: Friday, June 27

Ages: 18 years and older

Days: Sunday

Dates: July 6-August 24

Time: 2-6PM

Cost: $250

Location: Sports Complex

Min/Max: 6/8 TEAMS

a great way to train for tennis.

Registration Deadline: Tues., May 27

Ages: 18 years and older

Days: Tuesday

Dates: June 3-24

Time: 6-7PM

Cost: $60

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 4/12

INTRODUCTION TO PICKLEBALL

Have you heard about Pickleball? It’s only the fastest growing sport in the United States! Join our instructor Phil for this introductory class covering the basics of the game, scoring, and the importance of staying out of the kitchen! Equipment will be provided.

Registration Deadline: Mon., June 2

Ages: 18 years and older

Days: Monday

Dates: June 9-30

Time: 6-7PM

Cost: $35

Location: Miller Park

Min/Max: 4/12

SENIOR PROGRAMS

Senior

Social Hour (or 2)

Come join fellow Polk City seniors for a week looks like. Cards and games, check! Donuts and coffee, you bet! Potluck style lunch, BON APPETIT! For more information, please email jthraen@polkcityia.gov or call Jason at (515) 984

Ages: 55 years and older

Days: Tuesdays

Dates: Ongoing

Time: 11AM-1PM

Location: Miller Park Shelter House

LUNCH AT OLIVE BRANCH & WARREN CULTURAL CENTER TOUR

Iowa is full of small town, hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving mouthwatering food. Join us for lunch as we travel to Olive Branch in Greenfield. Owned by a Greek family with prominent roots in the community, Olive Branch serves Greek and American cuisine with small town charm. After lunch, we will explore local shops in Greenfield’s historic downtown square, tour the old opera house at the Warren Cultural Center and drive around a town being rebuilt after the May 2023 tornado. Registration includes transportation. Please bring money for your lunch.

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 25

Ages: 55 years and older

Days: Wednesday

Dates: July 2

Time: 10AM-2PM

Cost: $10

Location: Depart from Miller Park

Min/Max: 8/13

VALLEY JUNCTION SHOPPING & LUNCH AT COOPER’S ON 5TH

Join us for an outing in Valley Junction! We will grab lunch at Cooper’s on 5th, an award-winning restaurant with classic and reimagined Americana comfort food, then explore Historic Valley Junction, known for Iowa-sourced goodies and specialty shops. Registration includes transportation. Please bring money for your lunch.

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, August 6

Ages: 55 years and older

Days: Wednesday

Dates: August 13

(515) 984-6233 | www.polkcityia.gov

Time: 10AM-3PM

Cost: $10

Location: Depart from Miller Park

CommunityRecreation

POLK CITY COMMUNITY LIBRARY ADULT PROGRAMS

Mondays @ 9AM, Chair Yoga

Tuesdays @ 9AM, Geri-Fit

Wednesdays @ 10AM, Women’s Coffee

Thursdays @ 6PM, Sit ‘n Stitch

Fridays @ 10AM, Men’s Coffee

LOCAL FISHING

The City of Polk City works closely with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide accessible, quality fishing opportunities in the Polk City community. Two ponds in Polk City’s park system are stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Those ponds are located at Marina Cove Park (430 E. Southside Dr.) and Twelve Oaks Park (1349 Twelve Oaks Dr.).

A valid fishing license is required.

Those wishing to buy a fishing license, explore maps, get Iowa fishing regulations, and learn more can visit www.iowadnr.gov/fishlocal.

SPACE RENTALS

COMMUNITY CENTER

Host your next large event at the new community room! This rentable space is located in Polk City’s city hall building (200 S. 4th St.) and is great for wedding receptions, family reunions, graduation parties, and business/group meetings. The community room features 172 chairs, 20 round tables, 20 rectangle tables, a catering kitchen, and restrooms. For more information, please visit https://www.polkcityia.gov/ parks-and-recreation/shelter-facility-rentals.

MILLER PARK SHELTER HOUSE

Located at Miller Park (401 Booth St.), the shelter house is perfect for smaller gatherings such as birthday celebrations, graduation parties, and baby/bridal showers. This climate-controlled rental space features 48 chairs, 6 tables, a full kitchen, and an indoor restroom. Miller Park also includes a play area, tennis/pickleball courts, and an open air shelter.

OPEN AIR SHELTERS

There are 2 parks in Polk City that have open air shelters. These shelters provide a great place for individuals and families to enjoy the park, have a picnic, or host a celebration. Shelters can be reserved, or are otherwise first-come, first-serve. For more information, please visit our website: https:// www.polkcityia.gov/parks-and-recreation/shelter-facility -rentals.

Twelve Oaks Park Shelter

Kiwanis Park Shelter

FIELD RENTALS

Fields at the Polk City Sports Complex are available to rent for your private practice, tournament, or event. Rental fees can be found below.

Field availability is determined once Polk City Parks & Recreation programming and Polk City nonprofit youth sports groups have been scheduled. For more information and current availability, please contact the Parks and Recreation Director at jthraen@polkcityia.gov.

Soccer Field West

Baseball/Softball Field 1

EventsontheSquare

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus

June 17, 2025 @ 6:30PM | Polk City Town Square

Polk City Parks & Recreation is excited to welcome the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus to Polk City’s historic town square this summer!

Since 1995, BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS co-founders Stephanie Monseu and Keith Nelson have traveled the world, bringing a unique hybrid of vaudeville, circus and sideshow spectacle to theaters, clubs, colleges, and festivals. An evening of jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, plate spinning, sword swallowing, brain twisters and other risk-taking feats set to live music, combine to create an interactive evening of fun for the entire family.