Rodgers, Noland Aid West Arundel Swim Team

In a few weeks, Billy Rodgers will head south to start his freshman year at Salisbury University, where he plans to play men's lacrosse.

Around the same time, J.T. Noland may head west to join the football program and begin his freshman year at West Virginia Wesleyan.

But for now, in the first few days of summer, the 2011 graduates of St. Vincent Pallotti High are enjoying one last season as teammates with West Arundel in the Prince-Mont Swim League, a local circuit with weekly meets with events for ages U-8 up through 15-18.

Noland and Rodgers both had strong meets for West Arundel (1-1) on Saturday in a 315.5-253.5 win over Cheverly in a Division C event. "This year the older kids have improved a lot. We have a strong older group," Rodgers told Patch on Sunday.

Rodgers, in his last summer in the league, was first in the back in 29.97, second in the fly in 26.59 and second in the IM in 1:04.86. He was also the anchor on the 9-18 boys freestyle relay team that took first in 1:57.22.

Noland was second in the free in 59.53, third in the back in 38.48 and 10th in the fly in 38.70.

So is summer swimming much more relaxed than high school sports?

"It is really competitive. But it is not like high school swimming; there is not as many difficult events," said Noland, who can also swim for West Arundel next summer. "We have a really good team. We want to win. We won the title a few years ago and want to win it again."

Noland said Sunday he is "re-thinking" an earlier plan to play football at West Virginia Wesleyan, mainly due to the time commitment. He said practice begins Aug. 10 for football while the first day of school is Aug. 22.

Rodgers, 18, has been swimming for West Arundel since he was 4. "I have been around this pool my whole life," he said. "I just want to go out and do it right the last year."

"It is still competitive as high school," Rodgers said of the summer league. "But as far as practice it is much more relaxed. If you don't come to practice for high school you basically get kicked off the team."

He noted that in the summer, many high school swimmers have to work and cannot make practice all of the time.

Another Pallotti swimmer with West Arundel is Hunter Tessier, a rising senior who has competed in soccer, lacrosse and swimming for the Panthers.

The top 15-18 swimmer for the West Arundel girls is Kellianne Venit, a rising sophomore at Archbishop Spalding in Severn, Anne Arundel County. "She is an awesome swimmer. She swims year-round. That is why she is so good," Noland said.

Parks And Recreation {:} Several Things You Must Learn About It ...

Virginians like their theme parks. I enjoy discovering deals. Put the two together, and also you have a recipe for summer enjoyable that will not break the bank. As you will see, there’s no need to have to pay full price. But just before receiving into the discounts, here’s a brief overview of the two key theme parks in Virginia.

Let’s begin with Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Many really feel this European-themed park is much more family-friendly than its major competitor, Kings Dominion. Both have state-of-the-art roller coasters, like Busch Gardens’ “Griffon” and Kings Dominion’s new “Intimidator 305,” billed as “the tallest and fastest gravity driven roller coaster on the East Coast.”

When it comes to national parks recreation camping, there’s additional than just bringing a sleeping bag and tent to the terrific outdoors. Probably the most successful camping trips are well-planned, as it takes fairly a bit of effort to survive an evening in our national parks and forests.

It has a wider selection of stores and shows, like the new vibrant “Celtic Fyre” Irish step dance extravaganza and “Europe in the Air,” a smooth gliding, simulator ride. It’s like taking a grand tour of Europe without having the large price tag or jet lag.

You must be ready for emergency situations. What if you get lost? Would you know tips on how to survive and locate your way back or signal for help? What about encountering wild animals? Would you know what to complete when you were faced with an angry bear caught raiding your food at night?

The Fun Card costs the very same as a single-day ticket: $61.95 ages 10+, and $51.95 ages three to 9 (keep reading to learn how to get your preschooler in for free).

Road maps, trail maps, and park maps detailing the national park method of the park you’d be visiting.

Want to get the Fun Card for about $10 less? Go to Virginia Beach and stop in a single of the 3 Vacation Market places along Atlantic Avenue (one block in from the beachfront). You can obtain a one-day ticket there for about $55…plus, you will not need to pay tax. So you’ll save about $10 per ticket.

When you go to Busch Gardens, go to the Guest Services counter and upgrade your card to a Fun Card for free. Vacation Market is open 7 days a week, and has three Atlantic Avenue places in Virginia Beach: at 16th, 25th, and 31st Streets. They also provide discounts to other local attractions, like Kings Dominion.

Final management plan, Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland

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Creative management in recreation and parks

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