Lovell Rec, BOCES serve the community in many ways

The Lovell Recreation District and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) are providing activities and education programs for anyone who wants to stay active or learn educational skills. 

BOCES works with youth and adults who want to advance in their education. Their office is open to anyone who wants to reach their education goals and for high school students earning scholarships.

“Our main goal is to offer education opportunities for our community,” said BOCES coordinator Danielle Weber. “We have scholarships for seniors who are graduating from Lovell High School. Our office offers four $500 scholarships to students who will be attending Northwest College, which will be awarded in April.”

According to Weber, students can apply for scholarships online. She also said second-year students can also apply for scholarships. 

“We also offer CNA scholarships (Certified Nursing Assistant),” Weber said. “Keep in mind these scholarships are applied for Northwest College and information is online.”

Weber said BOCES also offers adult programs such as adult book clubs. According to Weber, the adult book club meets once a month, and each member talks about the book they have read.

 “We have our adult book club, which runs through BOCES funds and uses the public library,” Weber said. “The adults read each month, and a book list will come out in July which is set for the whole year. It is for free, and all you do is sign up at the library and get a book.”

BOCES also has an innovation mobile trailer workshop where students and adults can learn a new skill and trade for the workforce. Weber said the workshop is sponsored by the University of Wyoming.

“We are kind of a pilot program for the 28-foot enclosed trailer,” Weber said. “Inside the trailer is a lot of equipment and tools such as a glow forge laser cutter with six 3D printers along with two larger 3D printers and a computer numerical control (CNC) machine.” Weber said the mobile workshop has different types of equipment and machines that students can use. She said anyone can go to the BOCES website to see what classes and equipment are available.

“Our enclosed trailer is heated, and it has wi-fi with laptops and iPads students can use,” Weber said.  “The only cost which might incur for students is some supplies, but most of the supplies are provided on the trailer. Otherwise, it is all free.”

Weber said before taking a class, students need to take an online course once they get enrolled. She said this will ensure students will know and understand the safe handling of the equipment and machines.

“Student must take an online course training,” Weber said. “This will teach students how to use all the equipment.”

   The Lovell Recreation District offers fun community activities for both adults and youth. There are many activities to be found on their website or calendar. 

“The Lovell Recreation District is having a men’s basketball league starting Tuesday, Jan. 21,” said Lovell Recreation District director Kristine Henley. “Teams can sign up for $100 and they play every Tuesday, and the league games continue through March. All the teams will be playing either at the MJ gym on Shoshone Avenue or Lovell High School. There will be tournaments, and the winners will win the buy-in depending on how many teams sign up.”

 According to Henley, there will also be sign-ups for the youth basketball league, which will start at the end of February. 

“The youth basketball league is for grades third through sixth,” Henley said. “Our youth league will go on for six to eight weeks. You must register online, and all games depend on the gym availability because the youth league shares with the school district and our league must schedule around high school and middle school games.”

Henley said gymnastics is another youth program the Lovell Recreation District will be having. According to the Lovell Rec website, classes are 45 minutes long for boys and girls ages 4 and up with a fee of $30 a month. 

“The gymnastics classes are once a week and go on until April, and anyone can register at any time,” Henley said. “Some of the kids have joined since September, and other kids have just joined us. Our registration for gymnastics is currently closed, but the Recreation District does have a dance program that just started up, and we just ordered the costumes. The registration for the dance program is also closed, but registrations will re-open in August.”

Another upcoming program of Lovell Rec is adult and youth cornhole, which will take place in March. If you are interested in participating in any recreation activities or looking to advance your education and job skills, visit the Lovell Recreation District - BOCES website at https://lovellrecandboces.com/contact-us/.