Highland Lakes

Social distancing among children required

We welcome Orlando Gomez to our staff as Athletics Director who will be assisted by Kerri Culhane. They are joining our staff during very difficult and concerning times, with news headlines as this article is written indicating an uptick in corona virus cases in New Jersey, the reversal of certain relaxations, and the potential for further restrictions.

Based on the reduced volume of registrations and permissions slips received, combined with the prohibitions against sports activities recently lifted, we understand and share with parents the concerns we all have about the ongoing public health emergency and the safety of our children. We have determined that the Club’s athletics activities for children this summer must be scaled back due to the requirement for social distancing and the requirement that equipment must not be shared.

It is also clear that softball competition among teams is not possible, and that no equipment is to be shared by youngsters. Parents: please make sure your child comes to tennis or softball with their own racket, baseball glove, batting helmet, and bat. When not actively at play, we are asking parents to help ensure social distancing among the children, and to practice social distancing among themselves.

We have determined that the best course to pursue is to delay the commencement of athletics activities until Monday, July 13, while continuing to encourage parents to register their children so that the number of children participating in activities may be properly estimated. This delay provides time for parents to consider the Club’s athletics programs for their children this summer, and to complete the registration forms. During the week of July 6, schedules will be developed based on enrollments using the registration forms, and meeting times and days will be posted on the Club’s website and in the Newsette of July 11.

Note: it may be necessary to alternate weeks of a particular program if enrollments are so high that social distancing cannot be maintained. Not only must children participating in activities maintain their distance from others who are not part of their household, parents and guardians must do the same while watching their children from the sidelines.

Registration forms are available on the Club’s website at https://hlcc.org/oldsite/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Events-Activities-and-Athletics-Permission-and-Registration-Form-Final-2020.05.12.pdf

Below are the summer clinics with all days and times tentative:

Softball / T-Ball
Competitions will be avoided. Instead, clinics will take place, focusing on the basics of the sport. We will work on proper hitting techniques as well as defense and base running. Each clinic session will end with a discussion of the importance of teamwork and how crucial it is in order to build championship character on the field of play.

 – Boys Farm Team ages 4-5 Beach 1 ballfield – Mondays, 9 am

 – Girls Farm Team ages 4-5 Beach 1 ballfield – Thursdays, 9 am

 – Boys Mosquito League ages 6-8 Beach 1 ballfield – Tuesdays, 9 am

 – Girls Gem League ages 6-8 Beach 1 ballfield – Fridays, 10 am

 – Boys Grasshopper League ages 9-11 Beach 1 ballfield – Thursdays, 6 pm

 – Girls Butterfly league ages 9-11 Beach 1 ballfield – Tuesdays, 6 pm

 – Boys Little League ages 12-16 Field 2 – Canistear Park Ballfield – Fridays, 6 pm

Boys and Girls Basketball Ages 8-14 Beach 1 courts – Mondays, 5 pm
The focus of the basketball clinics will be on conducting drills that will concentrate on the introduction of the game. Drills will include proper footwork on defense, dribbling techniques, as well as learning some offensive positioning. Clinics will end having a question and answer session on the strategies on the days’ lessons.

Boys and Girls Soccer Ages 5-8 and Ages 9-12 Beach 1 ballfield – Fridays, 9 am
The objective of the soccer clinic is to establish small groups of players who will rotate among defined skill stations placed around the field during a reasonable amount of time. The stations ill rotate during the course of the summer clinics so that the children would have a chance to maximize and address as many of the basic skills as possible.

Tennis Beach 1 Tennis Courts
Youth summer tennis program for ages 5 and up. Offers fun, exercise, and youth interaction through tennis. Includes one-on-one and group learning. Skills clinic and game play are included in every session.
Mondays: 9 am ages 11-12                 Mondays, 10 am ages 9-10
Wednesdays, 9 am ages 7-8              Wednesdays, 10 am ages 5-6