Benton Parks & Rec
January Rising Stars
Description: A 4-week program where kids meet once per week to be introduced to different sports. Participants gain experience and skill development in a variety of sports and participant families get to see what sports may interest their children more. We offer expanded programs during the year for certain sports. In January we cover Blastball, Volleyball, Track, and Disc Golf.
Dates: January
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 3–5
Description: Another weekly program over four weeks. In February we cover Soccer, Bowling, Basketball, and Football.
Dates: February
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 3–5
Blastball
Description: A co-ed introductory t-ball league designed to help kids experience their first time on a field with other players. All equipment is provided. Only a soft bat and soft ball are used, so helmets and gloves are not required. This season is a 5-week, one game per week schedule with two weeks of preseason practice. No standings or scores are kept.
Dates: March–April, or September
Location: Tyndall Park Softball Fields
Ages: 3–5
Lil Putters
Description: A four-week, weekly clinic that introduces and teaches young children the fundamentals of golf. Each week we review golfing stance, grip, club type, ball approach, and parts of a club. We use putters, wedges, and drivers to review putting, chipping, and long drive swings.
Dates: June and July
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 4–7
Little Olympians
Description: A weekly clinic that introduces and teaches toddlers to the sport of Track & Field. Each week we review starting stances, race components, and plyometric exercises. Throughout the clinic, we teach them sprinting, javelin throws, broad jump, long jump, and hurdles, and we finish with an exciting obstacle course race!
Dates: June and July
Location: Benton Athletic Complex with the Benton School District
Ages: 3–5
Lil Spikerz
Description: A four-week, weekly clinic that introduces and teaches toddlers the basics of Volleyball. Throughout the clinic, participants are taught bumping, setting, and serving. To preserve play and success, beach balls and dodgeballs are utilized along with volleyballs.
Dates: October
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 3–5
Youth Softball
Description: Offering two spring league options: Benton Youth Softball League and the Saline County Softball League. The Benton Youth Softball League is a draft-only league that plays all games in Benton and includes Allstar opportunities. The Saline Couty Softball League allows team registration and plays different towns at different ball parks with some home games in Benton [4 weeks in the fall]. All age divisions play two games per week, for a total of 8 games. No scores or standings are recorded to ensure this league focuses on player development. We allow team registration, draft, and free agent assistance to help all girls find a place to play!
Dates: March–May, or September
Location: Riverside Park Softball Fields, Tyndall Park Softball Fields, Other Saline County Ball Parks
Ages: 4–16
Speed & Explosion
Description: Providing six weekly sessions of specific training designed to help improve your child’s speed, explosiveness, and athletic ability. Taught by Personal Trainer Carlos Bellamy with Bell & Me Fitness, your child is poised to run faster and jump higher!
Dates: April–May or September–November
Location: River Center Group Exercise Room
Ages: 6–15
Future Spikerz
Description: An offseason volleyball program implemented to help younger girls have more opportunities to develop skills and abilities to begin entering gameplay for the winter league.
Dates: April–May
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 5–7
Youth Sand Volleyball
Description: Designed to provide training and skill development for league volleyball, but in a more unique and fun environment at our Sand Volleyball Courts. This is a 4-week, twice weekly clinic to work on setting, bumping, and serving. Gameplay is also provided.
Dates: June or July
Location: Riverside Park Sand Volleyball Courts
Ages: 5th–9th Graders
Youth Track & Field
Description: During this program, based on age, participants learn various running, throwing, and jumping events such as Sprinting, Relays, Distance, Discus, Shot Put, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Hurdles, and much more. At the end of the program, participants are divided into teams to compete in an officially timed Track Meet. The program closes with a celebrational Awards Banquet to encourage the kids’ efforts all summer long!
Dates: June–August
Location: Benton Athletic Complex with the Benton School District
Ages: 5–16
Youth Pickleball
Description: Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. We offer a twice weekly, 6-week Youth Pickleball Clinic. Participants will learn the various rules and gameplay of the sport, as they are trained on the many paddle strokes leading into gameplay.
Dates: June–July
Location: Tyndall Park Pickleball Courts, River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 9–16
Youth Wrestling Camp
Description: A one-week camp to help families gain insight to the exciting sport of youth wrestling. Here, families can experience their child learning basic wrestling moves and competing in matches. The camp leads into the greater Youth Wrestling Purple Cobras Club that occurs in the Winter.
Dates: July
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 6–14
Youth Volleyball Clinics
Description: Camps to help girls tune up their volleyball skills and abilities. With partners such as Hendrix University Volleyball Team and Arkansas Select Volleyball, our clinics offer top notch information and training to help girls reach their full potential before we enter the greater Youth Volleyball Leagues towards the winter.
Dates: August
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 1st–9th Graders
Youth Volleyball Leagues
Description: Offering three different volleyball league opportunities: Clinics only for 1st Grade Players, Recreation League for 2nd–9th Grade (draft only), and Competitive League for 4th–7th Grade (free agent and team registration). Both leagues are 6-week leagues with two games per week, including an End-of-Season Tournament.
Dates: October–November
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 1st–9th Graders
Youth Wrestling
Description: Our wrestling club starts practices in November, and the program ends with the State Tournament the first weekend in March. Registration covers the participant’s wrestling singlet and USA AR Wrestling Membership. Saturday tournament opportunities are available as well as options; each entry fee to tournaments are an additional fee and registration to the participant.
Dates: November–March
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 6–14
Jiu Jitsu
Description: Classes are taught by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor Michael Hunter, who comes to us from Pure Land Jiu Jitsu. Since 2019, Michael, with a Sandan-3rd Degree Rank in Jiu Jitsu, has helped hundreds of individuals achieve their martial arts or self-defense goals. He provides multiple packages of classes that cover Beginner or Advanced Training, Competition Training, and Advanced Techniques.
Dates: Year-Round
Location: River Center Group Exercise Room
Ages: All Ages
Rhythmic & Dance Classes
Description: Taught by Instructor Aleksandra Gerusova, our classes meet twice weekly each calendar month. Aleksandra comes to us with 20+ years of experience from Russia and holds two degrees in teaching dance.
Dates: Year-Round
Location: River Center Group Exercise Room
Ages: 3–12
Benton Sharks
Description: Come see why we were named the 2018 Sports Program of the Year by the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association. Once your child begins swimming on a team, they will see the benefits of the sport that you would have never realized before. We want to spread the message and make sure all parents know just how great the sport of swimming can be.
Dates: May–July
Location: River Center Natatorium
Ages: 4–18
School of Swim
Description: We strongly believe that all children should learn the lifesaving skills of swimming in a comfortable environment. Our semiprivate swim lesson program is designed to teach safety first. We teach the proper stroke technique second. We offer many different levels of lessons for swimmers of all abilities. We help swimmers learn the basics and get them ready for swim team or just to enjoy the pool with their family and friends. We offer 4 levels of development that start with Mommy and Me classes and eventually teach all four proper strokes. Private and group lessons available.
Dates: All year. Lessons during the summer months run for 4 weeks and during the winter months for 6 weeks.
Exact times vary.
Location: River Center Natatorium
Ages: 6 months to 18
Outdoor Adventurers
Description: In association with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Outdoor Skills Patch Program, our participants receive a calendar with over a dozen outdoor activities that occur throughout the year. These activities include Archery, Kayaking, Fishing, Education & Activity Courses, and much more. For many of the activities participants complete, they can earn a Patch to commemorate their newly learned skill and knowledge. Adventurers are provided a Benton Parks Ranger Vest to display patches.
Dates: March–November
Location: Multiple Parks
Ages: 9–15
Youth Fishing Camps
Description: Two 1-week fishing camps in association with the Fishing in the Natural State Curriculum provided by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Each night, participants learn Arkansas waters, fish, habitats, and more. Participants learn different parts to a fishing pole, and how to rig a pole, make their own lure, and practice casting. On the last night, families meet us for an afternoon of fishing at Sunset Lake. Benton Park supplies all needed equipment.
Dates: March
Location: Tyndall Park Gene Moss Building, Sunset Lake
Ages: 8–16
Youth Archery Lessons
Description: Taught by certified local school district Instructors, our Archery Lessons are once a week for four weeks. We provide Beginner and Advanced lessons following along with the NASP Curricula. Participants get to practice shooting at 3D targets on the last week. We offer multiple months of lesson opportunities.
Dates: April, May, June, September, October
Location: Benton Archery Complex
Ages: 9–18
Youth Kayaking Camps
Description: Provided by Certified ACA Instructors Michael & Tonya Sacomani with Saline River Canoe, our Kayaking Camps can help any level of paddler succeed and feel safer on the water. These one-day camps last 6-7 hours from morning until early afternoon, held locally on the Saline River. Multiple levels of courses (such as Intro to Essentials 1 or 2) are provided.
Dates: May–July
Location: Lyle Park
Ages: 9–16
Outdoor Education Courses & Activities
Description: In partnership with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and our Outdoor Adventurers program, Benton Parks hosts a variety of outdoor recreation and education courses. These courses may include Hunter’s Ed, Boater’s Ed, Game-Calling, Watchable Wildlife, Conservation Leadership, Intro to Trapping, and more.
Dates: June–November
Location: Multiple Parks
Ages: All Ages, Varies per Course
Wheelchair Basketball
Description: Our Wheelchair Basketball group hosts two 8-week sessions in the Winter and Summer. This group meets once weekly to work on skills, drills, and games. All ages and abilities are welcome; you do not have to be a chair user to participate. As the schedule allows, the Wheelchair Basketball program practices and plays year-round in the River Center and always welcomes new players!
Dates: January–March or June–July
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 12+
Miracle League
Description: Miracle League offers three different divisions: Beginner League (Ages 3–6), Buddy League (Ages 7+), and Independent League (Ages 16+). This is a 6-week Program [4 Weeks in the Fall] with all teams scheduled one game per week on either Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays. Adults may play in either Buddy or Independent League. Buddy League strives to provide one Buddy per athlete to assist them during the game, and Independent League strives to allow athletes to play independently to the best of their ability with limited Buddies on the field.
Dates: March–April or September
Location: Tyndall Park Inclusive Field
Ages: 3+
Adaptive Sports Camp
Description: A 4 to6-week clinic opportunity to help participants engage and play in a variety of sports. Sports may include basketball, track, soccer, and bowling.
Dates: June, July
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 4+
Unified Volleyball
Description: To encourage inclusiveness in sports, Unified Volleyball strives to bring nontraditional and traditional athletes together to play Volleyball Games. The program includes two weeks of practices that lead up to a 4-week, once per week game schedule.
Dates: October
Location: River Center Gymnasium
Ages: 8+
Tennis Lessons
Description: Taught by local Certified Pro Instructor Brandon Kiker, Benton Parks offers private and group lessons for kids and adults of all ability levels. Amongst private and group tennis lessons, Brandon also provides Tennis for Tots, Junior Team Tennis, Adaptive Tennis, and more!
Dates: Year-Round
Location: Tyndall Park Tennis Courts
Ages: All Ages
Swimming Without Limits
The (SWOL) program is a special part of the Benton Sharks Team. The group is composed of atypical kids who wish to be included in typical sports. Swimming Without Limits emphasizes inclusiveness, learning water skills, and having fun while building confidence and relationships with others. Parents and swimmers in this program have cultivated beautiful friendships and gained life skills they carry forward for years to come.
1800 CITIZENS DRIVE • BENTON • (501)776-5970 • BentonAR.org
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