T ahlequah is a familyfriendly town that is home to many entertainment options for kids of all ages . Nestled in the Ozark Mountains , families can wander through trails , woods , and parks . Sequoyah State Park in Hulbert is home to Three Fork Nature Center where kids can meet wounded animals that are not fit to return to the wild , including bald eagles , owls , foxes , and water mammals , including a beaver and an otter . The park is located on a peninsula that juts into Fort Gibson Lake and offers fishing and boating . Tahlequah has invested in its trails and parks . Popular parks include : Felts Park , Phoenix Park , Ross Park , Sequoyah Park , and Southridge City Park . Later this year , the City of Tahlequah is investing in a new pickleball court at Kauffman Park . Kids , who are interesed in hunting for crawfish can jump in the South Town Creek at Sequoyah Park , which is popular for kids .
Tahlequah Sports League is establishing itself as the one stop shop for organized youth sports . From basketball to baseball , TSL offers sports that are of interest to any boy or girl in town .
After-School Activities
Boys and Girls Club : After-school programs , sports and activities ; call Sharon Ballew , 918-456-7888 .
Boy Scouts of America : After-school and evening meetings , Cub Scouts , kindergarten-fifth grade , Cody Peterson , 918-453-3765 ; Scouts BSA troops for boys and girls , ages 11-18 , Doug Whisenhunt , 918-906-9964 ; Venturing , a coed program
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for ages 14-20 , Tommy Ga , 918-4263 .
Girl Scouts : After School and evening meetings , summer day camps , kindergarten-high school ; Donna Forrest , Cherokee Service Unit manager , 918-207-8115 .
Cheerleading : Cher It Up Vickie Elliott , 918-456-6163 .
Cherokee County 4-H : After-school programs and summer workshops , Heather Winn , 918-456-6163 .
Tahlequah Recreational Soccer Club : tahlequahsoccerclub . com : 918-207-2823 .
Tahlequah Stingrays Swim Team : 918-704-4960 .
Tahlequah Sports League : 918-822-1098 .
Cultural Classes
Arts Council of Tahlequah : art classes and Leadership Arts Day Camp , pandemic pending , 918-457- 7345 . www . artscounciltahlequah or email andartscounciltahlequah @ gmail . com
Cherokee Arts Center : art classes and workshops , metalsmithing , basketweaving , pottery , loom weaving , and more . Classes are taught online , or in-person two students max per session .
Cherokee National Cultural Camps : Will include classes in areas of STEM , as well as cultural activities , 918- 453-5224 , camp @ cherokee . org , or camp . cherokee . org .
Dena ’ s Art Den : Group and paint parties , Dena Coleman , 918-207-5488 .
On Stage Dance Studio : Kristene Watson , 918-855- 9406 , OnStageDanceStudio @ yahoo . com
Oklahoma Kids : State Director Kim Dawson , 918-521- 2432 .
Rhythm Innovations Dance Company : Kinsey Carter and Lauren
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Perez , 918-871-2224 .
Tahlequah Academy of Performing Arts : Lena Glakova-Huffman , 918-803- 1408 .
Mountain Movers Dance Studio : Offers ballet , jazz , pointe , tiny tots , pom , int . contemporary , advanced
contemporary , etc . 1007 Muskogee Ave ., 918-457- 6919 .
Year-Round Fun
Tahlequah History Trail : is a paved history trail that runs through downtown Tahlequah . With trees , birds , and scenic views , families can walk along a path and read about Tahlequah history on plaques that are set up throughout the downtown area .
Literacy programs : The Tahlequah Public Library offers a number of programs to enhance child literacy , including Baby Bookworms , Toddler Tales , Reading Rockstars , In BeTweeners , and Teen Zone . The library also offers Books ’ n Gab and Creative Craft Corner for kids of all ages . The TPL is located at 120 S . College Ave ., 918- 456-2581 . The Hulbert Community Library also hosts literacy events for kids , 210 S .
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Broadway , 918-772-3383 .
Martial Arts : Ramos Tae Kwon Do , 102 Fourth St ., 918- 457-0246 ; Kuk Sool Won of Tahlequah , 2051 Mahaney Ave . 918-977-3311 .
Skatehouse : Roller hockey , skate lessons , public skating , birthday parties , and holiday events , Dusty Fore , 918-456-1100 or www . skatetahlequah . com .
Thunder Bowl : 833 W . Choctaw , snack bar , air hockey , pool tables , birthday parties , 918-456-4663 .
Summer Fun
Tahlequatics : 846 W . Allen Road , 918-456-1048 .
4-H summer workshops : OSU Extension , 905 S . College , 918-456-6163 .
Movies in the Park : Norris Part , select Saturdays , see TahlequahMainStreet . com for information or call 918- 456-6163 .
Northeastern State University : Continuing Education Summer Academy for Kids , 918-444-4610 .
Sequoyah State Park : Horse stables , golf , hiking , biking trails , boating , 918- 772-2046 ; Three Forks Nature Center , 918-772-2108 .
PAGE 38 COMPILED BY BRIAN D . KING
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