New Summer Camp for Teens Offered

The department is offering a new summer camp for teenagers ages 12 and 13 this year. The camp will be held Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., June 24 through August 23. Registration is $300 and includes breakfast and lunch each day.

     The camp program is designed especially for teens to help them discover the world, experience new things, and make new friends. It will include hiking, rafting, music, dance, theater, and learning about entrepreneurship, fashion, community service and much more. Not only will the camp be fun, it is designed to encourage self-discovery, to help build self-confidence and independence, and to provide teens with skills for future success.

      Registration is on a first-come first-served basis and takes place on weekdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Westover Community Center, 1301 Jahnke Road. Some scholarships are available. For more information, call 646-0181.

     This camp is for city residents only, and proof of age and residency are required at registration.

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Search is On for Top Teen Chef

Teens, do you think you have what it takes to become Richmond’s next Top Teen Chef?  Test your skills in a program sponsored by the Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities on Saturday, December 15, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at T. B. Smith Community Center, located at 2015 Ruffin Road.

   The program will focus on healthy foods, and teens will be encouraged to share their knowledge of food facts as well as demonstrate their culinary skills.

    It’s free to enter, but the program is limited to the first 24 teens to register. For more information and to register, contact Priscilla Wright at (804) 646-1441 or at Priscilla.J.Wright@RichmondGov.com.

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Cheerleading Jamboree to Showcase 600+ Area Cheerleaders

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will hold its annual Cheerleading Jamboree on Thursday, November 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Landmark Theater, located at 6 N. Laurel St.  Approximately 600 cheerleaders from the department’s community centers and area high schools and colleges will perform during the event.

      Tickets for the event are $3 in advance for children 11 and younger and $6 for children 12 and older and adults. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $5 for 11 and younger and $8 for 12 and older and adults. They may be purchased at the Landmark Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., online at etix.com, or by phone at 1-800-514-3849.

     Seating is general admission and the doors will open at 5 p.m.

‘Let’s Pink’ Breast Cancer Event Set for Nov. 4

The department will hold a breast cancer awareness event and fundraiser called “Let’s Pink” at its Hickory Hill Community Center on Nov. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The event will include raffles, visual arts, vendors, food, music, entertainment and much more.

     The mission of Let’s Pink is to merge the vibrancy and artistic minds of Richmond’s youth and young adults with the knowledge and life experience of Richmond’s seasoned generation while raising awareness for breast cancer.

     Local artists and photographers will display interpretive works related to breast cancer at the event and have other works from their collections on sale as well. In addition, Lauren Parker from SLAM, Richmond’s youth poet team, will present pieces created especially for the event, and two guest speakers will discuss their personal journeys with breast cancer and how it has affected them.

     An information table will provide brochures and pamphlets to take home, and a variety of vendors representing health, fitness, beauty and fashion will also participate.

     Donations of $5 are encouraged to attend the event, and all proceeds will go to the Central Virginia Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

     Although no registration is required, you can learn more about the event and sign up to attend, as well as donate, online by visiting LetsPink.EventBrite.com. You can also call 646-8874 or 245-6637 for more information.

      The Hickory Hill Community Center is located at 3000 E. Belt Boulevard. This program is in line with Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Healthy Richmond Campaign to promote healthy lifestyles for all residents in the city of Richmond.

City to Host First Friday Event Promoting Teen Arts

The City of Richmond in conjunction with First Friday’s will host RVA presents The Lounge at Center Stage (The Lounge).  This Teen Arts event will take place outside at Seventh and Broad streets on Aug. 5, 2011, from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The pilot project - coordinated by Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities; Richmond Police; CenterStage and SMG, with support from the business community and city youth - will showcase youth and their art, from musical acts, spoken word and poetry, to visual and participatory arts. Utilizing programs created by young people involved in the Police Department’s Youth Commission, The Lounge will offer youth 21 and younger a platform for freedom of expression and a place to meet and enjoy the art and entertainment of their peers.

     “It is our role to help teens further realize their potential, and we are excited about this new opportunity and public/private partnership,” said Norman C. Merrifield, Ed. D., director of Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

     More than seven acts will be featured this Friday, highlighting young adults offering their own form of artistic expression, and The Lounge will continue to provide teen programs on First Fridays throughout the year with promotional support from Radio One.

     “I can’t think of a better way to expand the reach of First Friday's than The Lounge, and CenterStage is thrilled to be a part of this innovative partnership with the City,” said CenterStage Executive Director Richard M. Parison Jr. “Visitors to CenterStage know how fortunate we are to have such a thriving performing arts community in Richmond, and the talented young people who will be featured at these events truly embody the spirit of this community.”

    “This is an opportunity for Richmond’s teens to demonstrate the positive interactions that we want to showcase within our city,” said Chief Norwood. “The Lounge is not intended to limit our youth’s ability to mingle with other art enthusiasts, but it encourages them to expand their experience downtown and offers an alternative positive means of doing this.”