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Watauga County Parks and Recreation Offers Programs for Adults and Children; Football, Soccer and More

July 29, 2013. The Watauga County Parks and Recreation is currently accepting registration for their much-anticipated fall programs. Deadlines for these programs are quickly approaching, so be sure to get yourself or your child signed up quick.

Mighty Mountaineer Youth Football: This youth football league is for 3rd and 4th graders and fifth and sixth grade students in Watauga County. These leagues are full contact football, while fundamentals and proper techniques are stressed to ensure a safe playing environment for all the kids involved. Shoulder pads, a helmet with an Appalachian State University decal and ASU game jersey and sports bag are provided to each participant. Each child must provide his or her own practice jersey, football pants, pant pads, mouthpiece, athletic supporter and shoes. The program will run for about 10 weeks. Teams will meet an average of four times per week, with games beginning as scrimmages and progressing to full-contact regulation games. Some travel is required for participants as the Mighty Mountaineers play other teams from the surrounding counties. The registration fee is $65 per child, and all participants are required to be registered with the Watauga County Parks and Recreation by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug.9. Please click here to download a registration form and information sheet. 

For the younger kids, Watauga County Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with Watauga High School Football offers flag football for first and second graders. This league is an instructional league where the clinics are taught by Watauga High School football players. The participants will be divided into small groups for instruction and scrimmages during each session. This program meets on Saturday mornings, from Sept. 7-Oct 5. The clinics will be held at Watauga High School’s lower field from 8:30 a.m. through 10 a.m. Registration fees are $30 per participant, and the participants must be registered with Watauga County Parks and Recreation by Friday, Aug 23. Click here to download a registration form and information sheet. 

Mighty Mountaineer Cheerleading offers cheerleading to children aged 5-13. The squads cheer for the fifth and sixth grade Mighty Mountaineer Football teams. Cheer squads are limited to 15 members per team and will be assigned based on school district based on a first come first served basis. Teams will meet about three times per week for practices and games. The registration fee is $60 per child and includes an ASU Cheer uniform and pom-poms. All participants must be registered with Watauga County Parks and Recreation by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug 9. Click here to download a registration form and information sheet. 

Watauga County also offers a youth soccer program for children aged 5-15. Six levels of play are offered to participants based on age. The program runs for approximately 8 weeks beginning in late August. Whenever possible, teams are formed by geographical location (except for U-15). Separate boys and girls leagues are created when sufficient numbers exist in any age group. If numbers do not allow for seperate leagues, the teams will remain co-ed. Teams will meet on average three times per week for games and practices. Participants are required to wear shin guards and team colored soccer socks. The Recreation Department will provide each child with a team jersey which is theirs to keep at season’s end. The registration fee is $33 per participant. All participants must be registered with the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9. Click here to download a registration form and information sheet. 

Watauga County Parks and Recreation is looking for volunteer youth soccer coaches as well as team sponsors. Volunteer coaches must have soccer experience, work well with children and pass a background check. Businesses and individuals may sponsor a soccer team for $225 per team. For more information about coaching or sponsoring, contact Holly Gates at 828-264-9511.

Watauga County Parks and Recreation offers adult programs as well. 

The County offers two levels of men’s softball (recreational and competitive) as well as a co-ed softball in the fall. Team registration will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug 6. The registration fee is $350 per team. Each team is guaranteed 11 games, which are played evenings Monday through Friday. Play will begin the week of Aug. 12. Click here to download a registration form and information sheet. 

Watauga County Parks and Recreation offers co-ed volleyball for residents 18 years of age and older. Two leagues are offered (recreational and competitive) and team registration will be accepted through Sept. 6. The registration fee is $250 per team. Games are played on evenings Monday through Thursday at Old Cove Creek Gym. Co-ed teams must have equal gender ratio or more women than men on the court at all times. Click here to download a registration form and information sheet. 

Watauga county also offers adult and youth swim lessons. 

For youth, levels I-IV are offered during the fall sessions. Classes are limited to 10 students each. Registration for lessons will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis until classes are full. Click here for swim lesson registration and for class dates. For more information on swim lessons or swim complex schedule, call 828-264-0270.

Two levels of adult swim lessons are offered – beginner and intermediate. The beginner class focuses on breath control, floating front and back, streamline position, freestyle and backstroke. The intermediate class focuses on stroke refinement, technique and fitness swimming. Those wishing to register for the intermediate class must be able to swim 50 meters without stopping to be eligible for this level. Adult classes will meet Monday through Thursday, Aug 5-15 from 6:15-7 p.m. Classes are limited to 5 students each. Registration will be accepted on a first come first served basis until classes are full. Click here to download a registration form and information sheet. 

In Ballet Basics for Children, join experienced instructor Shannon Hatley for a 10 week children’s ballet class. The class will focus on the fundamentals and basics of ballet. The classes will begin in early September and will be held at the Optimist Clubhouse in Boone. At the end of the 10 weeks, the students will perform a ballet recital for family and friends. The registration fee of $75 per child includes weekly instruction and a trophy. There will be an extra fee required of $25 to $35 for recital costumes. For more information on class dates contact Watauga County Parks and Recreation office at 828-265-9511.