9/4/26

Tamworth Recreation Department – Rec Report

As we turn the corner from summer into fall, it is a good time to look back at what was a busy and successful summer for Tamworth Recreation—and to look ahead at what is coming up this fall.

The Fourth of July celebration was a great success. Family Day and the parade brought out a wonderful crowd, and congratulations to all of our parade float winners! A big thank you as well to everyone who participated in the games, races, and other activities throughout the day. Lot of community organizations participated to help the success. And, of course, the fireworks on July 5th were touted by many as some of the best around. It was a great weekend of celebrating together as a community. 

Our summer swim programs were once again incredibly popular. This summer, we provided 439 opportunities for kids to swim through our White Lake and Bearcamp Pond programs. That works out to approximately 26 kids swimming three days a week at White Lake and another 8–9 kids swimming four days a week at Bearcamp Pond throughout the summer. These programs continue to fill extremely quickly when registration opens, which is a great indication of how valuable these opportunities are to our community.

Our shoulder week camps were also a great success. These programs give kids something fun and engaging to do during those weeks outside of the traditional summer camp schedule, and they would not be possible without the help of so many community organizations. A huge thank you to all of the organizations that helped make those weeks memorable for the kids in our community. It really does take a community to put these programs together.

The Friday Field Trips have also continued to draw strong numbers. This summer we traveled from Gray, Maine, to Woodstock, New Hampshire, and plenty of places in between. These trips have become a great way for kids to get out, explore, and experience places they may not otherwise get to visit.

One thing I don't get to do nearly enough is give a big thank you to our summer staff.

Our swim staff provide strong instruction while also making the water a fun and positive place for kids to be. Our summer camp and trip staff always seem to know where they need to be and somehow manage to maintain a positive environment even when there are 30 kids running around in every direction. It is not always an easy job, and they do it really well.

I won't name names, but if you find out that someone worked with the Recreation Department this summer, give them a big thank you. They played a huge role in making the summer programs successful.

Fall Programs

Fall Soccer is underway, and we have some big groups in K–1 and 2–3, with 16 kids registered in each age group. It has been more of a challenge to field a 4–6 grade team this fall. I am working with K.A. Brett School Athletics as we try to reach the minimum number of players needed to fill each position and keep the team going.

We have quite a schedule ahead, with 10 games on the calendar, finishing the season with a tournament. It should be a fun fall of soccer, and I am looking forward to seeing these teams continue to develop.

For our youngest participants, I am continuing Frolic in the Field, the program that started this spring. This program is designed for ages 2–5 and will continue through October on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. at the Rec Park. It is a simple opportunity for young kids to get outside, play, move, and have some fun together. 

We also have a few special events coming up...

Raptor Watch

On September 10 and 11, come out to the Recreation Park on Durrell Road for a Raptor Watch. We will watch the skies and try to locate migrating hawks, specifically the Broad-winged Hawk, which migrates through this area in great numbers at this time of year.

Bring your binoculars and a chair and join us anytime between 9:00 a.m. and noon. You never know what might fly overhead!

Tamworth Vlasic Pickleball Tournament

On Saturday, September 12, I will be hosting the 2nd Annual Tamworth Vlasic, our annual pickleball tournament. Sign up to participate or come check it out if you've been curious about pickleball and want to see what it is all about. The tournament will be held at the tennis courts near the school.

Regular pickleball continues on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and beginning September 26, I will be teaching pickleball each Saturday from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. through October. This is a great opportunity for first-timers, people looking to work on their skills, or anyone who would simply like to play at a lighter level.

There is no need to sign up for regular pickleball, but please register for the other programs and events.

Tamwich Bike Ride

On Sunday, September 13, the Recreation Park on Durrell Road will host the Tamwich Bike Ride, a gravel bike ride through the Tamworth area. More information about the ride is available, but if you have questions, feel free to reach out. Keep a lookout that Sunday for the riders!

Around the Rec Park

There are also a few changes and improvements happening at the Recreation Park.

There is now a trail around the Recreation Park, which follows the field areas and continues down into the woods and along the stream. It is another little way to explore and enjoy the park, and I hope people will take advantage of it.

I also recently had the Remick Park and Recreation Park playgrounds assessed. Overall, they received a pretty good review. Some of the equipment and areas are aging, but they remain structurally sound. There are some maintenance items needed around the perimeter of both playground areas, so you may see Rick or me doing some upkeep and repairs in the coming weeks.

Looking Ahead

As I look at the Recreation Department right now, I feel like we have a pretty sound foundation of core programming. Soccer, pickleball, swimming, camps, and our other regular programs are finding their place, and participation continues to be encouraging.

That doesn't mean there isn't more to do. I will continue looking for new, old, and different ways to reach people in our community and provide opportunities to move, play, and connect.

As always, thank you for your continued support of Tamworth Recreation. Whether you participate in a program, volunteer, help coach, attend an event, bring your kids to the park, or simply spread the word about what is happening, it all makes a difference.

You can find all current programs and registration information at TamworthRec.RecDesk.com.

I hope to see you out there this fall!

I would like to thank these organizations for partnering with the Rec Dept in some way this year, sorry if I left someone off.... In no particular order: Tamworth Outing Club, Wonalancet Outdoor Club, Cook Memorial Library, The History Center, Tamworth Police Dept, Tamworth Fire and Rescue, The KA Brett School, Barnstormers Theatre, Bearcamp Trackers, Chocorua Lake Conservancy, Tamworth Nurses, Tamworth Maintenance Dept, Tamworth Highway Dept, Tamworth Transfer Station, Bearcamp Bikes, Union Hall, Tamworth Conservation Commission, Carroll County Sherriff, Arts Council of Tamworth, AK Tennis, The Bearcamp Center for Sustainable Community, Girl Scouts.... and Eldridge's Pop Shoppe and the Tamworth Bakery for keeping me sugared and caffeinated. 

6/12

Tamworth Recreation Department – Parks and Rec Director Jeremy Phillips

Summer is officially underway, and there is a lot happening through the Recreation Department and throughout our community.

One exciting development is the continued growth of the Tamworth Community Calendar. The calendar can now be found directly on the Town Website under the Recreation Department section. With so many organizations participating, it has become a great resource for finding programs, events, and activities happening all over town. Whether you're looking for recreation opportunities, community events, or educational programs, be sure to check it out regularly.https://tamworthnh.gov/1215/Parks-Recreation 

Another recent change is the implementation of RecDesk, our new registration software. We are now approaching the first program offerings that were registered entirely through the new system. Overall, I have heard positive feedback from participants, and any issues that have come up have been simple to address on my end. If you need assistance navigating the system, creating an account, or registering for a program, please don't hesitate to call. I'm happy to help.https://tamworthrec.recdesk.com/Community/Home 

Summer program registrations remain open, and we encourage everyone to take a look at the wide variety of offerings available. There are plenty of opportunities for youth, as well as adult programs including swim and pickleball. Registration is also open for Fall Soccer for grades K–6.

Our spring sports season was another successful one.

K–2 T-Ball was a tremendous success. Participation numbers were fantastic, and the enthusiasm from players and families was incredible. Looking ahead, the plan will be to split this age group into K–1 T-Ball and 2–3 Baseball to better meet the needs of our growing program.

Coed Softball focused heavily on developing fundamental skills. The original vision was a more informal, sandlot-style season, but we were able to schedule a game, and it was clear how much the players had learned. Their improvement throughout the season was impressive, and the game was a lot of fun to watch.

Spring Soccer continues to be one of our most popular offerings, with teams at the K–1, 2–3, and 4–6 grade levels. Our 4–6 grade team played two games against Sandwich this spring and showed tremendous progress. Several new players made significant strides during the season, and we look forward to continuing that development this fall.

Looking ahead, the Fourth of July celebration is right around the corner. Here's hoping for good weather! The Parade and Family Day will take place on July 4th, followed by Fireworks on July 5th at the KA Brett School. We hope to see everyone out celebrating with family, friends, and neighbors.

As always, thank you for your continued support of Tamworth Recreation. We look forward to seeing you at a program, event, field, court, trail, or celebration this summer.

3/17

Tamworth Recreation Department – Parks and Rec Director Jeremy Phillips

Basketball Updates
Our 4th–6th grade travel basketball team had a great season, wrapping things up with the Carroll County Tournament held at the Conway Recreation Department. The team showed tremendous growth, teamwork, and effort throughout the season—well done to all involved.

We are also currently in the middle of our Tiger Cubs basketball season, where our youngest players are enjoying learning the game in a fun and supportive environment.

Adult & Community Programming
Pickleball continues to go strong for adults. We encourage anyone interested to join our beginner session from 12:00–2:00 in the KA Brett Gym—no equipment needed, we’ve got everything you need to get started.

Our Winter Survival Series was a big hit. Participants built quinzhees (snow huts) and learned how to safely build fires with our 2nd–3rd graders. Don’t worry—we all survived!

We also partnered with TCNA to offer Belly Dancing, which has seen great turnout and has been a lot of fun for participants.

In collaboration with WODC, we hosted a tracking program in Wonalancet where kids explored the outdoors, discovered tracks from moose and snowshoe hare, and even practiced moving like animals.

Outdoor Highlights
Our Full Moon Snowshoe event was extremely well attended and took place on a beautiful evening—thank you to everyone who joined us.

We also offered cross-country skiing at the Rec Field, with about a mile of groomed, flat trails. With melting conditions, we wouldn’t recommend heading out now, but it’s definitely something to look forward to next winter.

What’s Coming Up
Spring is right around the corner, and signups are open for spring sports. Additional programs will be released as field conditions improve.

The Egg Hunt is coming up on April 4th, and we look forward to another fun community event.

We Can Be Heroes - Sign up now for our Roll Playing Game for 4-6th graders

Summer planning is well underway:

• Summer Camp Weeks: June 22–26 and August 17–21

• Friday Trips: July 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7 & 14

• Swim Program: Information coming soon

All summer program registrations will open in early April, so keep an eye out.

Community Calendar
The Tamworth Community Calendar is now up and running! We encourage everyone to check it out to stay informed about local events. If your organization is interested in contributing, please reach out—we’re happy to help you get set up to add your own programs.

This past week, we kicked off our very first Open Gym sessions, and they were a hit! Our participants, ages 4-8, had a blast running, playing, and enjoying some free time to move. Adult basketball players hit the court for some friendly competition and a great workout. If you missed out, don’t worry—we’re doing it again this Saturday from 10:00-11:45 AM. Whether you're looking for a place for your kids to burn off some energy or you want to join a game of hoops, we’d love to see you there!

Right after Open Gym, we shift gears to pickleball! From 12:00-2:00 PM, beginners can come learn the game in a welcoming and supportive environment. If you’re already an experienced player, our Intermediate-Advanced Pickleball sessions are still happening at their regular times. Pickleball is a fantastic way to stay active, meet new people, and have fun—so grab a paddle and join us!

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to start the LEGO Legends afterschool program for K-8th grade students at Cook Memorial Library next week. This exciting program will feature weekly LEGO challenges, creative free building, and plenty of fun! 

Stay tuned for more updates on all things recreation in Tamworth, and we hope to see you at the gym or on the court this weekend!

This past week, we wrapped up a fantastic cross-country ski program at the Rec Field. Thanks to great participation and plenty of snow, skiers of all ages had the chance to develop their skills and enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, the cold winds forced us to cancel the quinzhee hut program, but we’ll look forward to bringing it back in the future when conditions cooperate.

Our youth basketball season is coming to a close. Players showed incredible growth, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout. We’ll be celebrating their hard work and dedication soon—great job to all our athletes and coaches!

Meanwhile, pickleball continues to thrive, with strong turnout and a new schedule starting next week—be sure to check the Rec calendar for details. Also, mark your calendars for March 8, when Open Gym begins for both kids and adult basketball. 

Looking ahead, we’ll be announcing spring sports sign-ups next week along with a couple of new adult programs, so stay tuned! Behind the scenes, we’re already working on an exciting summer schedule, and we can’t wait to share more in the coming months.

Hello! I am Jeremy Phillips, Rec Director for Tamworth. I have lived in Tamworth for a number of years and was commuting to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. I have a background in Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Studies. I'm looking forward to continuing the great programming that has been implemented in the past as well as adding some new flare.

See you around!