COOKING UP SUMMER FUN WITH PARKS AND RECREATIOKN PROGRAMS

Suzanne Burke, 8, worked on her wall shelf in a crafts project class sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Youth Golf instructor Jodi Smith helped Jeremy Kelley, 13, with his putting at the Cape Girardeau Jaycees Golf Course.

Mr. Food, watch out.

After many more than the class maximum of 10 signed up for the Junior Chefs Cooking Club, Chris Eastridge added two more sessions to the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department's summer program schedule.

Eastridge is a recreation programmer with the city department.

And he was surprised by all the interest. "I wouldn't think it would be popular with kids," Eastridge said.

But little girls and boys just love to cook.

Eastridge said the numbers are up for the summer recreation programs, which include about 25 classes ranging from cooking to theater to swimming. Classes began Monday, and children can register until the courses begin.

"This year our programs are filling up a lot more than last year," Eastridge said. He added that about 500 children ages 2 to 12 will participate this summer. Perhaps 1,000 more will take swimming lessons.

"Our swimming classes fill up," Eastridge said.

One of the biggest events will be the Hershey Track and Field district meet Saturday at the Abe Stuber Track and Field Complex at Southeast Missouri State University. Eastridge said about 60 or 70 youths ages 9 to 14 will participate.

"Those that win here advance to the state meet in Jefferson City," he said. "There they have a chance to go to Hershey, Pa., and compete in the national meet."

Eastridge said the summer program's most popular class is the Outdoor Fun course. The class, which lasts eight weeks, includes fishing in Capaha Pond, outdoor cooking and games, arts and crafts and a nature hike at Trail of Tears state park.

Other classes include instruction in tennis, golf, bowling, cheerleading and pom pon, hunting and fishing, rock climbing, crafts, baton twirling, taekwondo, baseball and softball, soccer, volleyball -- and even theater.

"Our theater class is probably the most unique," said Eastridge. "It's a lot more than just going out and acting plays."

The Pee Wee Gym class introduces youngsters 2 to 5 to gymnasium activities such as basketball, relays and stretching. For children ages 6 to 8, the Sports Camp class covers basketball, flag football, soccer, baseball, softball, track and field and kickball.

Camp Creation and its spinoff for younger kids, Cherokee Pee Wee Playground, include games and crafts based on themes such as the 1960s, the West, the circus, Hawaii and nature.

In conjunction with the Otahki Girl Scout Council, the parks department offers Camp Adventure. The camp will be held at Cherokee Ridge, which is about 70 miles west of Cape Girardeau in Wayne County. Campers will roast hot dogs, tell campfire stories, ride horses, swim and canoe.

Among this summer's special events are the Capaha 5000 Meter Classic and Children's One Mile Run, Youth Catch and Release Fishing Day and the Youth Triathlon and Kid's Half Miler. There are also two junior tennis leagues.

But the fun isn't only for children.

There are adult tennis, sand volleyball, basketball and volleyball leagues. On Thursdays, there are senior citizen dances, and golfers can hit the links at the Jaycee Municipal Golf Course.

And then there are the aquatics classes -- the most popular of the summer programs -- at the Central and Capaha municipal pools. Classes are offered for all ages. American Red Cross certification courses also are offered.

For more information on costs and availability of classes, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 335-5421.