For parents and kids itching to get ahead of the game, the powers that be at Saint Paul Parks and Recreation have announced that registration for fall sports programs is now officially open. Summer may be just heating up, but the city's eye is already on cooler days filled with team sports and healthy competition. Available to the youthful contingency in Saint Paul, the lineup includes free soccer for those aged 9 and older, flag football that also boasts no charge for the 9+ brigade, and lacrosse, which is open to all age brackets at no cost.
There's a catch for the tiny tots, however. Kids under the age of 9 - categorized as 4U, 6U, and 8U in rec sports parlance - will have to pony up some fees to play. Thrifty parents, or guardians, can snag an Early Bird Discount, but that requires a quick draw on the registration form within the first five days of the month. It's spend now or spend more later, so wise up and sign up is the message being broadcast.
If you're thinking of letting this simmer on the back burner, think again. Registration is only open until June 30, or, and this is a less flexible deadline, until each program is full to the brim with eager young athletes. For those looking to gather more intel or dive straight into the signup process, the details are laid out in full at Saint Paul Parks and Recreation's social media. "Registration will remain open though June 30 (*or until full)." So for those marking their calendars, it's now or potentially never.
The eagerness to enroll kids in these activities isn't just about keeping them occupied - it's also about the continued emphasis on community engagement, physical fitness, and teamwork that these programs foster. While the lazy days of summer can offer a temporary reprieve from structured activity, the truth is: these programs fill up faster than a kiddie pool on a hot July afternoon. So for those procrastinators out there, it'd be smart to brush off that sense of complacency and get moving on these offers.
