Minding Your Business- Brewster Recreation Department

The Brewster Recreation Department’s mission statement sums up their organization perfectly: “The Brewster Recreation Department strives to meet the diverse recreational, cultural, athletic and leisure time interests of our residents by providing exceptional programs and services in a safe and welcoming environment on a year-round basis.”

Brewster Rec is the go-to institution for all things fun in town and has something for everyone. The team that keeps the programs running includes department director Michael Gradone, assistant director Andy Havens, department assistant Christine Bates and sports coordinator Will Jaques. The rec is set up within the school system at Eddy Elementary, which makes running the after school programming a smooth operation.

“We have a program almost every day after school,” Gradone said. “We do most of it here at Eddy for grades three to five, but we do shoot over to Stoneybrook occasionally. We have a lot of support from town management, too and other departments. We all work together. Brewster is a great place to work!”

After-school offerings are a lifesaver for families, and the rec has a vast array of offerings during the year with spring programs like yoga, crochet crew, art lab, pickleball, archery, and track and field. 

“We have a great after-school program called ‘Wheel Good Time’,” Gradone said. “The kids bring their bikes, scooters, roller blades, or really anything with wheels and they come to the Sea Camps property to cruise around. It’s a lot of fun.”

In addition to after-school programming, Brewster Rec runs popular youth sports programs as well with the winter Lower Cape recreational basketball league for kids in grades three to six, a spring soccer clinic and practice style program with scrimmages for kids ages three to 14, a travel softball league for kids in grades two to six, and tot T-ball for younger kids. 

There is plenty of fun to be had for adults, too, when it comes to local recreation. Family birding walks and “Birding Around Brewster” are two programs that are wildly popular and often sell out fast.

“Now in its fifth seasonal session, Birding Around Brewster has been a fun way to connect locals with the outdoors and with each other,” Brewster Recreation’s department assistant Christine Bates said. “Each week we visit a new conservation area; the variety of locations allows us to see species that utilize different habitats. Offering these sessions in spring and fall means that migration is in full swing, so the birds we see are always changing. Although Birding Around Brewster is a program designed for adults, I'm looking forward to offering our first Family Bird Walk on April 11.”

“We are very lucky to have Christine on board, especially with her experience coming to us from Mass Audubon,” Gradone said.

Other popular adult offerings include fly-fishing clinics, pickleball, tennis, table tennis, morning walking and pick-up basketball. 

“These programs are super important for our town,” Gradone said. “We want people to be active and healthy. I think we realized during COVID very quickly how people need the opportunity to go outside and enjoy open space, especially for senior groups. Things like tennis and pickleball provide a social outlet, too, where it’s not only great exercise but they get to enjoy getting together. It’s a big aspect of our adult programs.”

Brewster Rec is gearing up for another spring season full of events around town.  Their annual Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for April 4 on the front lawn at Ocean Edge Resort (ages 10 and under). The event kicks off promptly at 9 a.m. rain or shine and is free to participants. Be sure to bring your own Easter basket!

The annual Brewster in Bloom 5K Run happens May 2 at 10 a.m., rain or shine. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised will benefit the Brewster Recreation Bob Redd Memorial Youth of the Year scholarship. 

On May 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. the Brewster Bike Fest will be happening at the Sea Camps property. This event will include many bike-related events and activities including bike safety tips, equipment suggestions, and a bike clinic where riders learn skills and precautions to use while riding a bike. The day will also include a fun bike rodeo course and a bike expo with various vendors where riders can learn about local companies and services. This is a free event, and snacks and drinks will be provided for everyone. Just show up with a helmet and a bike to enjoy the fun!

Brewster Rec offers online registration, making signing up a breeze for residents, and there is also information at brewsterma.myrec.com/info/default.aspx on scholarships, summer employment opportunities and ways to become involved with volunteering. Be sure to check their website for registration and information on all of their events and activities!

Details:

Brewster Recreation Department

brewsterma.myrec.com

508-896-9430

Office Hours: Monday through Friday,  8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.