The Kershaw County Aquatic Center will open for the season May 21; registration for aquatic center programs will also be accepted at this time. The pool will be open on a half-day schedule May 21-June 5, shifting to a full-day schedule June 6. The aquatic center will be closed Memorial Day and July 4.  

Registration for aquatic programs and season passes is also accepted at the Rec Department weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An individual season pass is $55; a family pass is $115, with a $5 charge for each immediate member above the five-member limit. Guest passes are $3 per person, and season pass holders are required to accompany guests at all times. Only three guest passes for each individual pass will be issued and six guest passes will be permitted per family season pass.

Group swim lessons for children will be $55 for eight sessions; private swim lessons are $50 for four lessons.

Adult lap swim will be offered at 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday. The cost is $20 per month for 30 minutes or $35 for one hour.

Water aerobics will begin June 6, meeting at 7:55 a.m. Monday through Thursday. The cost is $45 per month.

Area daycare centers may reserve time for their groups at $2 per child. A group rental for private use of up to 50 swimmers is $75 for two hours. Additional fees for larger groups apply.

Swim team registration

Registration for Kershaw County Recreation Department swim teams in underway with a deadline of May 13 to sign up.

A parent meeting and the first day of practice will be held May 23.

Pee-wee swim team participants must be between ages 4 and 6 and demonstrate the ability to swim 12.5 yards independently in the deep end of the pool. A minimum of three practices per week will be required, with a minimum of four swim meets during the season.

County swim team members must be between the ages of 7 and 18 and must demonstrate the ability to swim 25 yards independently. Team members must attend a minimum of three practices per week and must participate in a minimum of four swim meets during the season.

The first day of practice will be May 23 as follows: returning swimmers – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and new swimmers – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Stroke improvement will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays. This schedule will apply May 24-June 3 except for the exception of May 30, when the pool will be closed for Memorial Day.

Daily practice – Monday through Thursday – will begin June 6 as follows: morning practice -- 9 to 9:55 a.m.; pee wee – 3:30 to 4 p.m.; and regular – 4 to 5 p.m. Stroke improvement will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Fridays.

The cost is $70 per team member. A late fee will apply after the May 13 registration deadline. No registration will be accepted after May 20.

For more information, contact the Rec Department.

Summer Junior Tennis

Calling all junior tennis players. Girls and boys ages 8 to 16 can join the Summer Junior Tennis Program through May 27.

The program, for beginner to intermediate skill levels, will focus on basic tennis rules, on-court play and skill development.

Players meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each Monday and Thursday  in June.

The registration fee is $20. For more information, contact the Rec Department.

Camden baseball camp

Boys and girls ages 8 to 13 will learn the fundamentals of baseball or improve their skills at this baseball camp.

The camp will be from 8 a.m. to noon May 30-June 3 at Legion Park behind Camden High School.

Daily training sessions will include hitting, base running, sliding and all aspects of defense. Campers will also receive one-on-one instruction.

Camp director is Camden High School coach Denny Beckley. High school baseball players will assist.

The cost is $60; pre-registration is required by May 25.

Line dance steps

The chance to learn the Electric Slide and other popular steps is here. And with the addition of morning classes, there’s a session to fit almost any schedule.

Line dance is a great stress reducer and emotional release as well as good exercise, providing much the same benefits as low-impact aerobics. Increase energy, improve strength and muscle tone. Age is no factor. And you can build your stamina while having fun. Come with a friend or spouse or come alone; you don’t need a partner for line dance.

Join the morning or evening sessions of line dance classes, all held on Mondays. Morning classes begin at 9:30 a.m. for beginners and 10:30 a.m. for improvers and intermediates. Night classes for beginners are from 6 to 7 p.m. Intermediate classes are from 7 to 8 p.m. The classes are held at the Recreation Department building.

The cost is $15 a month or $4 per class. Instructor for line dance is Ann Segars, licensed by BMI-ASCAP, National Teachers of Line Dance. Pre-registration is required; call the Rec Department office for more information.

Zumba

For anyone who hates to exercise, Zumba will feel more like a Salsa party than a workout. Zumba has a fast, energetic workout that is fun and addictive. You get lost in the music and dance and don’t realize you’re getting such a great workout!  This is a great remedy for anyone looking for a fat-burning pick-me-up with a positive energy blast that will leave you feeling happy and energized. 

Zumba is not difficult and anyone can, and should, experience it. It’s a Latin-inspired cardio dance fitness class that incorporates many different dance styles and international music rhythms to provide one amazing high calorie burn workout. No dance skills are required to participate in the class. Our classes are created to apply for all fitness levels, whether you are just starting out in finding a healthier life-style or you are already extremely active.

Zumba targets the glutes, legs, arms and abs, all while burning calories through an interval workout of fast and slow movements.

The class will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a new session beginning May 2  Class fees are $10 for one class or $25 for once a week per session or $40 for twice a week per session. 

The class is instructed by Jennifer Craft. Pre-registration is required at the Recreation Department office with a minimum of 10 enrolled in the session. Call 425-6010 for more information.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics classes are offered by the Kershaw County Recreation Department and Wateree Gymnastics of Camden.

Classes are divided by age and offered each Wednesday. Topics include gym safety, mounts and dismounts, over, under and through, cartwheels, nutrition, strength, balance and coordination and working as a team.

The cost for the classes, held at the Recreation Department building, is $25 per month. Pre-registration is required; call the Rec Department office for more information.

Tonetics

Want to get in shape without all the running, jumping and bouncing? Try Tonetics -- a deep-muscle exercise class involving walking, stretching, bar usage and more.

The purpose is to tone and lose inches, while working all major muscle groups to achieve an all-over muscle fitness.

The class meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Recreation Department building. The five-week course is offered at a cost of $20.

The instructor is Pam Boheler. Pre-registration is required; call the Rec Department office for more information.

Ballroom dance

Learn to glide across the dance floor with ballroom dancing classes..

The class, for youth and adults, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Old Armory on DeKalb Street. The cost is $10 per person and $15 per couple for the four-week session. Instructors will be Al and Kay Roberson. Pre-registration is required; call the Rec Department office for more information.

Tae-Kwon-Do

Get a good workout while learning self defense methods with beginning Tae-Kwon-Do classes.

The classes are conducted each Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. for ages 6 to adults at the old armory. Children will learn self-confidence and self-discipline and adults will master self-defense while getting the ultimate workout. Instructor is Marvin Nelson of the Tae-Kwon-Do Academy in Lugoff.

The fee per month is $20 a month. Classes are held at the Recreation Department building. Pre-registration is required; call the Rec Department office for more information.

 (For further information, call the Recreation Department at 425-6009 or 425-6010 or visit www.kershaw.sc.gov and click on departments and services.)