RECESS AT THE REC

Dressed in T-shirts and shorts or sweats, they run up and down the basketball court chasing balls or trying to make a two-point shot.

They aren't nearly tall enough to reach the rims or try any fancy tricks like the college athletes playing for Southeast Missouri State University, but these youngsters have just as much fun during the game -- except they never attend.

Several season ticketholders and Cape Girardeau parents are sending their children to Recess at the Rec, a program offered at the Student Recreation Center during home basketball games.

Activities begin a half hour before game time and mix both sports and crafts, games and free play to include anything from playing kickball, building forts or climbing the rock wall. There are always snacks and a craft based on a theme for the night.

While learning about the "great outdoors," the children went fishing with magnetic poles, played hide and seek with a tent and went rock climbing on a recent Saturday night.

Hunter Teegarden, 6, likes coming to Recess because of the wall climbing -- it's his favorite activity.

"He has a great time," said his mother, Cindy Teegarden. "He can't wait to go."

Hunter would get bored with watching an entire game, but the Recess activities get him "hot and sweaty. He comes home tired," his mother said.

First year of program

About a dozen children attend regularly on weekends, with about half that number attending weeknight games. Most of the children are between 6 and 10, though children as young as 4 and as old as 12 are eligible to attend

It is the first year the program has been offered. "We decided to do it for the children who don't want to go to the games. We don't discourage parents from taking them to the games, but some children just don't enjoy the games," said Julie Spretz, program coordinator.

Originally, the idea for a recreation program was to accommodate university faculty and staff, but more community residents have participated, she said.

"There's a real need for this in the community," Spretz said. Other universities have similar programs, so the idea isn't new.

And the Student Rec Center is an ideal place for the program because it is connected to the Show Me Center so parents are close by, and there is ample space for activities, she said.

While college students walk on treadmills or ride stationary bicycles, the children run around in an open gym while they wait for everyone to arrive. About 15 minutes later, they head off for the first game of the night: a scavenger hunt.

"They are big fans of badminton," Spretz said. "And they like the climbing wall."

Seth Stevens, 8, said he's come to Recess for nearly every home game. "It's different every time," he said. "I'd just stay home if I didn't come. I don't like to watch the game."

WANT MORE?

Recess is offered to any child ages 4 to 12 whose parents are attending a Southeast basketball game.

Sessions cost $5 each time if paid in advance or $7 at the door.

For more information, call Julie Spretz at 986-7391.