Summer bowling program for kids; great activity to beat the heat

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt editor
MacDill AFB, Fla --  Summer is for kids and recreation, but in Florida, there are times when outdoor activities seem more like work than fun. Enter a challenging, physical sport that is practiced in air conditioned comfort, with cool drinks and food just a few steps away -- bowling. 

A special summer program just for kids is running now at the MacDill Lanes, offering bowling at reduced rates until Aug. 22. For just $1 between 1 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, kids can bowl per line, with $1.50 shoe rentals. The offer is for kids ages 8 to 17. Younger children should be accompanied by an adult supervisor. 

"The special offer is based on lanes available, but generally there isn't a problem getting a lane," said Steve Sealock, acting assistant manager at MacDill Lanes. 

"Participation has been "fair" so far, but seems to be picking up," said Mr. Sealock. "There was an effort to recruit enough kids to for a youth summer league, but not enough 12- to 17-year-olds signed up to meet the minimum," he said. 

"They do it for fun," said Mr. Sealock. "When it's hot like this, it tends to help bring them in a little bit; it's a cool, refreshing choice during the summer heat." 

For beginners who need to get a feel for the game, each lane has pneumatically controlled bumpers that can be raised to keep balls from falling into the gutter. An advantage is that they can be quickly lowered for an adult or older child when it is their turn to roll. 

Bowling often is viewed by youngsters as something of an older person's sport, but that's until they try it, said Mr. Sealock.
"Once they get out there and do it, they really like it and see how much fun it can be," he said. 

For more information about youth bowling, call the lanes at 828-4005.