Who says summer camp is just for kids?
Serena Mumford posts upcoming senior activities on the board at Brown and Douglas Senior Center.
By Judie Holcomb-Pack
When the pandemic shut down much of the city, it gave Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks department an opportunity to review each of the city’s recreation centers to determine how they could best serve the citizens who used them. They saw a need for a location dedicated to serving seniors and designated Brown & Douglas an Active Adult Center. This is the only designated senior center in Winston-Salem.
Since Serena Mumford was named the center supervisor, she has been busy researching industry trends and organizing activities for seniors to combat the isolation seniors have felt during the pandemic. She would like the center to offer more than exercise and games, but also opportunities for seniors to make new friends and engage with one another. A recent craft class created patriotic candles for seniors to take home.
Serena decided that children shouldn’t be the only ones who enjoy summer camp, seniors can camp, too! Brown & Douglas Active Adult Center is hosting its first Adult Summer Camp targeting adults age 50 and above for a week of various fun activities. The camp will run Monday through Friday, July 19-Aug. 20, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Each day has a theme:
*Forsyth Fanatics – Exploring the city you’re in
*Giving Back – Volunteer opportunities and doing a community service project together
*Stay & Play – Unleashing your inner child
*Life is Great, Life is Grand – Things to do with grandchildren
*Shining Star – Talent and fashion show featuring senior campers
Summer Camp is free except there may be a cost for any outing away from the center.
The center is already busy with a variety of activities:
*Daily 9-10 a.m. Walking group.
*Daily, 1 p.m., card games: Mondays, Pinochle; Tuesdays, Bid Whist; Wednesdays, Spades; Thursdays; Pokeno; Fridays, Rummy.
*Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9:30-11 a.m., Adult tennis in partnership with Kimberly Park.
*Chair exercise, Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Seated stretches and strength-building exercises.
*Thursdays, 1 p.m., coloring.
Cooking Matters classes in partnership with Cancer Services’ Active Lifestyles Matter will start soon. Senior Services senior lunch program is held at Brown & Douglas Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Reservations are made through Seniors Services by calling 336-725-0907.
Mumford said that she is looking for more activities and if a senior or a group is looking for a location for their specific activity, that she would like to see how they could work together to add new opportunities to their calendar.
“I’m excited about seeing seniors in our community come in to participate in our activities,” said Mumford. “I enjoy seeing them having fun.”
For more information, visit www.WePlay.ws and click on the Seniors tab.
