Newtown Parks & Recreation’s sports camps are continuing this summer, with precautions in place due to the pandemic.

At the Skyhawks Mini Hawk camp, early on the morning of July 16, campers were playing a game indoors at Hawley Elementary School under the guidance of camp instructors Alicia Fernandez and Jack Moulder. The “Mr Fox Game” was essentially tag, but instructors used pool noodles to touch the young players from a distance. The campers later went outside to play baseball, soccer, and basketball.

Later in the day, the back fields at Newtown High School teemed with players practicing their softball and baseball skills in the Thoesen Baseball and Softball camps.

“It’s just good to get out, and the kids are having fun,” said Ian Thoesen, who runs the camps and is the varsity baseball coach at NHS. Matt Paz, who is the NHS varsity assistant coach with Thoesen, also coaches at the camps. High school athletes participate, too, helping the younger students, Thoesen shared.

Thoesen said the camps were making sure to follow guidelines to maintain a safe atmosphere. As he spoke, players practiced their pitches and catching skills behind him, while others played a game on a nearby field.