Rec camp, town pool, and much more summer fun from Waterbury Recreation

June 5, 2024  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

JULY 28 UPDATE: Kickball for a Cause originally scheduled for Aug. 24 has been canceled.

The Waterbury town pool opens June 24. File photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Sure summertime in Waterbury means rec camp and swim lessons, but Waterbury Recreation also has a variety of programs and events on the calendar for local residents of all ages. 

Everyone can use the pool with a membership. There’s also tennis lessons and a 5K running group getting organized. Special events include a visit from Dinoman and a day for the dogs before the pool closes in August. 

As always, visit the Waterbury Recreation website for all of the details and spots to register. For more information, email or call Recreation Director Katarina Lisaius at KLisaius@waterburyvt.com or 802-244-7174. 

Summer Swim Lessons

Waterbury Recreation offers swim lessons for children ages 6 months to 12 years old teaching everything from being comfortable in the water, the basics of swimming, and different swim strokes. 

Fees: $100 for residents, $140 for non-residents for 2-week sessions, or for every Saturday of the summer. 

*If you purchase a family pool membership, swim lessons are discounted by 50%

Location: Waterbury public pool, 25 Butler St. 

Dates: June 24 – Aug. 16

Pool Membership

The pool will be open on June 24! Memberships are available for individuals, families, seniors, and students. There’s also a discounted swim team membership. In lieu of a membership, the single-day fee is $5. 

Fees: $46-$172.50 depending on membership type; single day is $5

Location: Waterbury public pool 

Dates: June 24 – Aug. 16

Waterbury Rapids Swim Team 

Waterbury Rapids Swim Team is organizing for the summer season. The swim team begins June 24 and ends Aug. 1. The team practices at the Waterbury public pool Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5-7:15 p.m., depending on age group. Swim meets take place on Thursday evenings, 4:30-8 p.m., with the exception of July 2 to better accommodate Independence Day plans. There are programs for ages 10 and under as well as 11 and up. This year Waterbury Rapids and the Recreation Department have partnered for a more seamless registration. Sign up online here. For questions, contact waterburyrapids@gmail.com.

Weekly 5K Running Club

A weekly, casual running club to gather together, motivate each other, and enjoy our public parks. We'll gather at a different park each month and run a pre-mapped 5K around town. May was Dac Rowe; June is Anderson Park; July is Hope Davey; August is the Ice Center Area Park, and September is Rusty Parker.
Cost: Free!

Location: Different park each month 

Dates: Thursdays at 5 p.m. through September

Red Cross Lifeguard Course

Training to become a certified lifeguard is a rewarding and valuable experience. In this course, you will learn and practice essential skills. Lifeguard training is useful - not only to become certified and be able to work as a lifeguard, but also as an essential skill in life. 

Cost: Recertification $250 resident/$275 non-resident. Full Course $350 resident/$375 non-resident

Location: Waterbury Public Pool, 25 Butler Street

Dates: June 14 – June 18

Waterbury Recreation Summer Camp

Waterbury Recreation is a licensed-exempted recreational program for children in grades K-8. We focus on a variety of fun, enriching, and engaging activities such as sports, group games, field trips and more. We are outside as much as the weather allows, and have fun indoor activities during poor weather. Summer Camp operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 24 – August 16. 

This summer, Waterbury Rec is offering themed camps, swim lessons for all campers, and has many visitors scheduled to come to camp. 

There are a limited number of 8-week spots remaining in the Kindergarten Camp, Nature Exploration Camp, and the Counselor-In-Training program. All other camps have limited one-week session availability. 

Cost for 8 weeks: $1,000 residents / $1,250 non-residents

Cost for a single week: $250 residents / $300 non-residents

Location: Multiple 

Dates: 8 weeks running June 24 – Aug. 16. No camp on July 4.  

Visit from Dinoman! 

Dinoman comes to Waterbury to share a dinosaur-themed performance. The performance brings audience members through a timeline-o-time of dinosaur facts. Recommended for elementary-aged kiddos. The event is offered free as part of the Waterbury Recreation budget; donations are welcome.

Cost: Free

Location: Anderson Park, 27 Butler Street

Date: 10 a.m. on July 3. There is no rain date. The event would be canceled should weather not cooperate.

Tennis in the Park

Led by an approved USTA Net Generation tennis coach, the program will focus on developing the skills to serve, rally, and play - so it’s perfect for beginners and first-time players. This program uses modified tennis balls, age-appropriate rackets, court sizes, and the latest fun and engaging activities that help players successfully learn and play the game quicker! All players in their first session receive and keep a new tennis racket!

Minimum class size is 7 people.
Cost: Youth - $70 resident/$90 non-resident. Adult - $80 resident/$100 non-resident

Location: Anderson Park, 27 Butler Street, Waterbury VT

Dates: July 10 – August 18

Community Pool Party

On July 19, the Waterbury Recreation Department is hosting a community pool party. There will be a discounted pool entry fee for parties of multiples of two. There will be grilled food for sale and the pool snack bar will be open. Come join in for a fun-filled evening. 

Cost: Discounted pool entrance – Two for $5 (two for the price of 1); food/drinks for purchase

Location: Waterbury public pool

Date: 5 to 7 p.m. on July 19 (rain date July 26)

Doggy Days of Summer

2024 brings the return of Doggy Days of Summer! On the last pool day of the season, bring your dog to cool off and enjoy the summer sun in the waves of the Waterbury public pool. Dogs and owners have a $20 fee for the paw-some event. 

Cost: $20 for owner and dog

Location: Waterbury public pool

Date: Aug. 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Kickball for a Cause Tournament

On Saturday, Aug. 24, a one-day kickball tournament will benefit the Waterbury Recreation Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. Teams compete for the championship trophy and year-long bragging rights. 

All proceeds help support the scholarship fund. Waterbury Recreation Summer Camp strives to support every camper attending camp. We have a small scholarship fund that we are looking to grow to support more Waterbury kids. 

Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child

Location: Dac Rowe Fields, N. Main Street

Date: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 24. Detailed schedule closer to the event will have brackets and times.