Summer Starts with Teen Bash

Mackle Park hosted their annual summer teens bash on May 29. This high-energy event is for all middle school and high school kids from sixth to 12th grade. The park grounds were filled with large inflatable games. Teens could try mechanical bull riding, which simulates the challenge of staying on a moving bull, or go bungee jumping, where they leap on a harnessed trampoline. Battle Beam lets teens compete by balancing and knocking each other off a padded beam. For grass play, American football was set up, offering a chance for friendly games and for the staff to get to know some possible campers for this summer season. All the staff were present, helping the kids with hot dogs and directing them to where the next fun activity was stationed. The new camp counselors and returning camp counselors mingled with the teens and helped them decorate their hot dogs with their choices of toppings. Some counselors were playing football with the teens and keeping a lookout to ensure they were playing safely. This event brings out many students from Marco and Naples, and wherever the word travels, to enjoy and kick off the next couple of months for their summer break from school.  

Every single teen had a smile on their faces, and the laughter from all the kids and staff watching everyone have fun echoed in the pavilion. Parents got to have time to watch their kids have fun without breaking a hole in their pockets because all the festivities were covered by Mackle Parks for this specific event. Speaking with counselors and staff, it was evident how much they're looking forward to this upcoming summer camp they host every year, with it only being days away, Mackle Park's camp starts its first day on Monday, June 1st. Teen Bash gives a bit of a sneak peek at what some weeks of Parks and Recreation put together for the kids attending camp this summer.  Samantha Malloy, Manager of Parks, Culture, and Recreation, said, “We are so ready for summer.” Teen bash is something the teens always enjoy, saying “goodbye” to the school year and “hello” to their summer vacations.