Recreation Programs

Find a Recreation Program or Event

Explore year‑round trips, events, and programs for all ages.
View current recreation offerings at www.priorlakemn.gov/recreation

Summer Program Registration Is Open

Residency and Registration Rates

Your residency status is based on where you pay property taxes.

Resident: You pay property taxes to the City of Prior Lake.
Non‑resident: You pay property taxes to another taxing district, such as Spring Lake Township or Credit River.

Residency determines program fees and registration eligibility.

Adult Programs and Sports Leagues

Adult League Requirements

Participants must be 18 years or older.
All players must complete an online waiver before the first game of the season.

Register

Schedules and Standings

View current league schedules and standings at
Prior Lake Parks and Recreation - QuickScores.com
(Available when leagues are in progress.)

Bean Bag League (Ages 18+)

Play at Sand Point Beach
Register as a team of two adults.
Recreational league with 9 weeks of double‑header games.
Season starts the second week of June.
Games are played at:
- 6:00 and 6:45 PM
- Tuesdays or Wednesdays, depending on your league

Pickleball Programs and Events

Intro to Pickleball Classes (Adults)

Beginner lessons offered spring and summer.
Held at Spring Lake Park pickleball courts.
Tuesday evenings.
Pre‑registration required. Space is limited.

Saturday Ladder Play (Free)

Open to all players.
Mini round‑robin format.
Held every Saturday, weather permitting.
Play times:
- 8:00 AM start
- 10:30 AM start
Registration opens each Tuesday:
- 7:00 AM for the upcoming 8:00 AM start
- 8:00 AM for the upcoming 10:30 AM start
- Register for this week's ladder play here.

Location
Spring Lake Park
5651 Skuya Drive
Prior Lake, MN 55372

Sand Volleyball Leagues (Ages 18+)

Play at Sand Point Beach.
Choose your league:
- Tuesday (Lower Level): Recreational play
- Wednesday (Upper Level): More competitive play
12‑week season, starting the third week of May (weather permitting).
Game times:
- 6:15 PM or 7:15 PM
Games are self‑officiated

Club Prior - Adults 55+

Family Programs

Join a family program or purchase discounted tickets.
These activities bring community members together and are designed for families of all ages and sizes.

Current offerings include:

Art and STEM classes
Family Intro to Pickleball
Pop‑up events like Bunny Yoga and Minnesota Starwatch

Register

Find details and sign up for Family Programs & Tickets online.

Financial Aid for Recreation Programs

Financial aid is available for qualifying Prior Lake residents with demonstrated financial need.

Funding is supported in part by a generous donation from the Prior Lake Savage Optimist Club

How Financial Aid Works

Assistance is awarded first come, first served, based on available funds.
Applications must be submitted before the program registration deadline.
Allow up to 48 hours after submitting your application for the account credit to be applied.

Eligibility and Award Limits

Available to Prior Lake residents with financial need.
Covers up to 50% of program fees, with a maximum of $250 per household per year.
Financial aid credits expire at the end of the current year.

Attendance Requirement

Participants may be withdrawn from a program and may become ineligible for future assistance due to no‑shows or excessive absences.

Refund Policy

Refunds for financial‑aid‑assisted registrations are issued only if the City cancels the program.
If applicable, the refund will equal the difference between the discounted fee paid and the prorated amount retained.

Required Documentation

Submit your application with a copy of your Educational Benefits letter from the School District.

Apply

Download a Financial Aid Application form to get started.

Junior Leader Volunteers

Junior Leader Volunteers (Ages 12–15)

Junior Leaders (JLs) assist with recreation programs for children ages 3–6 at Ponds Park.

This volunteer opportunity helps teens:

Build leadership skills
Gain community service experience
Serve as positive role models
Develop skills for future employment

Responsibilities

Junior Leaders help with:

Program check‑in and check‑out
Set‑up and clean‑up
Participating in activities
Leading activities as the summer progresses

Apply for the 2026 Program

Application window: March 3–April 5
Spots available: 12 total
Priority is given to applicants who have not participated previously.
Junior Leader Application

Selected applicants will be:

Contacted for an interview in April
Assigned one program day per week based on availability and preferences listed on the application

Program Requirements

Must be 12–15 years old
Junior Leaders must attend at least 6 of the 8 weeks of camp
Attendance at the mandatory training day is required

Mandatory Training

Thursday, June 11
10:30 AM–12:30 PM

2026 Program Schedule

June 16–18
June 23–25
No programs: June 30–July 2
July 7–9
July 14–16
July 20–22
- No camp July 24
- Thursday JLs will attend the Monday program that week
July 28–30
No programs: August 4–6
August 11–13
August 18–20

Weekly Commitment

Junior Leaders are onsite one day per week on one of the following days:

Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday (includes one Monday assignment—see schedule above)

Time options:

Morning: 8:45 AM–12:15 PM
Afternoon: 12:45–4:00 PM

Youth In House Day Camps

Day Camps

Day camps offer active, engaging experiences for children through play, teamwork, and hands‑on learning.
Camps promote healthy living, character development, and collaboration.
Each camp includes traditional camp activities plus theme‑based activities specific to that program.

About Our Staff

Great programs start with great staff.
Summer camps are led by energetic, responsible recreation leaders who enjoy working with kids.
Small camper‑to‑staff ratios allow leaders to build strong connections with campers.
Many staff members return year after year.
Our team includes professional educators, college students, and former campers.

Looking for a summer job?
Seasonal recreation positions are posted in early February:
www.priorlakemn.gov/jobs

2026 Summer Program Registration

Registration is open for summer programs.

Plan Ahead

View answers to common questions in the Summer FAQs.
Review rules, policies, and important details in the 2026 Family Handbook.

Day Camps for Ages 3–6

Camps are grouped by age and meet three days per week.

Schedule by Age

Ages 3–4: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Ages 5–6: 1:00–4:00 PM

2026 Dates

June 16–18 (Tue–Thu)
June 23–25 (Tue–Thu)
No camp June 29–July 3
July 7–9 (Tue–Thu)
July 14–16 (Tue–Thu)
July 20–22 (Mon–Wed)
July 28–30 (Tue–Thu)
No camp August 4–8
August 11–13 (Tue–Thu)
August 18–20 (Tue–Thu)

Location

Ponds Park, Shelter 1 (main shelter)

Day Camps for Ages 6–11

Led by City of Prior Lake Seasonal Youth Recreation Leaders.
Camps run Monday–Thursday and offer half‑day or full‑day options.

Half‑Day Camps

Hours

Morning: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Afternoon: 1:00–4:00 PM

Location

Ponds Park, Shelter 3

Lunch Bunch (Full‑Day Option)

Enroll in both a morning and afternoon camp to attend 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Campers enrolled in both sessions are automatically included.
Campers bring their own packed lunch.
Includes supervised free play after lunch.

2026 Half‑Day Camp Dates

June 15–18 (Mon–Thu)
June 22–25 (Mon–Thu)
No camps the week of July 4
July 6–9 (Mon–Thu)
July 13–16 (Mon–Thu)
July 27–30 (Mon–Thu)

Full‑Day Camps (Ages 6–11)

Super Soaked Summer Camp
- July 20–23 (Mon–Thu), 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Location: Sand Point Beach
ShipRec’d Adventure Camp
- August 3–7 (Mon–Fri), 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
- Location: Lakefront Park
Daytrippers Camp
- August 10–13 (Mon–Thu), 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Meet at Ponds Park

Single‑Day Programs

Reel Cool Fishing School
- Teaches fishing basics through games and hands‑on activities
- Topics include knot tying, casting, bait selection, and fish identification
- All equipment provided
- Each participant receives a fishing pole
- Scheduled in June
Muddy Buddy Run
- Obstacle‑course style event designed for fun and teamwork
- Held in August

Important Notes

Programs fill quickly.
Age requirements and class capacities are strictly enforced.

Youth Vendor Programs

Documents

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Have a new program idea?

Do you have an idea that would make a great program? Would you like to see a new program offered?

FAQs

Do you have wait lists?

In the event that a class fills, you have the option to be added to a wait list. We highly recommend that you get on your first choice wait list and also register for alternate classes (your second choice). We can always transfer you into your first choice if a spot opens.
Do you offer financial aid?

Financial aid is available for qualifying applicants with financial limitations. Complete a financial aid application and send it to us at recreation@priorlakemn.gov. Include the programs desired and amount you can afford. Once your application is received by staff, you will be contacted within 72 hours.

Financial aid for recreation programs is made possible by the generosity of the Prior Lake - Savage Optimist Club.
How do I find out if program or event is canceled due to weather?

For up-to-date weather cancelations, delays and status of Parks and Recreation programs or events, visit our weather webpage, www.priorlakemn.gov/weather

Prior Lake Parks and Recreation policy regarding air quality:

Air quality is rated by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with an air quality index (AQI) ranging from 0-500 that reflects the five major air pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The EPA has established national air quality standards for each pollutant to protect our health.

When AQI reaches 101-200, program activities will be modified reducing number and frequency of high exertion activities.

When AQI reaches 201+ recreation programs will be canceled.
How should we prepare for camp

We offer a parent handbook for our youth day camp programs so parents and campers can prepare for camp before arriving. Find our latest family handbook here.
What are the registration age limits?

Age requirements are set to optimize the overall program experience. Participants must meet the age or grade requirements for each class or may be denied entry. Age requirements are listed on each program registration page . Registrations are accepted until the class is full or until the registration deadline.
What is the photo policy?

Photographs and video are periodically taken of participants while they are in programs, at special events, in City facilities, or enjoying the parks. Please be aware that these photos may be published.
What is your cancelation and refund policy
Participant Cancelation
Once registration is complete, it is considered final.

Programs Canceled by the Recreation Department: If the recreation department cancels a program, you will receive a full refund of the amount paid.

Participant-Initiated Cancellations: If you cancel your registration before the refund deadline, you will receive a refund minus a $5 processing fee per person, per program. Refund deadlines are listed online for each program. To cancel a registration, you must contact our office, 952-447-9820.

No Refunds: Refunds will not be issued if:
- You cancel after the refund deadline
- The registration fee is $5 or less
- Refunds will not be given for days missed.
Weather Cancelations
When a program is canceled due to inclement weather, a pro-rated refund may be considered.
Who is considered a resident?
Residency is determined by taxing districts.
- Individuals who pay property taxes to the City of Prior Lake are considered residents.
- Individuals who pay property taxes to any other taxing district (e.g. Spring Lake Township, Credit River) are considered non‑residents.

More FAQs