MASSENA -- Massena Recreation Commission annual summer playground and beach programs are underway, featuring a variety of activities and other events for children through Aug. 9.

Organized playground programs are available at Jefferson, Madison and Nightengale elementary schools, and at Alcoa Field. Field trips and trips to the Massena Town Beach are also planned. The beach is on state Route 131, about a half mile west of the Massena Intake.

The program is drop-in. Adults can drop off and pick up their children any time at the designated areas.

Children can register at any of the playgrounds on the first day they attend. Games and activities will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and an arts and crafts instructor will visit each playground once a week with a variety of all-ages projects. Participants must be at least 5 years old. The program will not be held on July 4 or 5.

After the playground program concludes at 11:30 a.m., buses will pick up the children and take them for a free lunch at Jefferson Elementary School. After lunch, they will be bused to the town beach. Children must be at least 7 years old to ride the bus, and they need to have a signed parent or guardian consent form.

Wednesdays are a full day at the beach, with a free lunch provided to the program participants. Buses will pick kids up at their respective playgrounds at 9 a.m. and take them directly to the town beach. There are playground facilities there. They’ll leave the beach at 3:45 p.m. and drop them back off at their playgrounds around 4 p.m.

Four Wednesdays will be “Wacky Wednesday at the Beach” with unique offerings on each day. They include slip n slide kickball July 3, frisbee golf July 10, tie dye water balloon wars July 31 and make-your-own ice cream day Aug. 7.

Fridays are for a field trip to the movies, mini-golf, a trip to Nicandri Nature Center and bowling. For those events, participants will show up to their respective playground at 9 a.m. and will be bused to the day’s field trip.

There will be a trip to the Calypso Waterpark in Canada on July 17. They leave at 8:30 a.m. and return at 7 p.m. Cost is $25 for transportation and a ticket. Spots are limited.

The Boss Frog Jumping Contest is July 18 at 9 a.m. There are divisions by age. Trophies, ribbons and prizes will be awarded.

There are pickleball and tennis games at the Alcoa Field tennis courts on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. There is no cost and equipment is provided.

There will be inline and roller skating and shinny at the arena during summer business hours.

More info: Recreation Director Mike McCabe, 315-769-3161 or mmccabe@recreation.massena.ny.us