Chisholm Summer Recreation Program (CSRP)
MISSION
Chisholm Summer Recreation Program provides a safe environment for children to have fun and express their creativity through adventures.
(Written by the 2024 CSRP Staff)
ABOUT CSRP
The Chisholm Summer Recreation Program (CSRP) provides a variety of social and recreational activities for youth in Chisholm and the surrounding communities. CSRP was established in 1914 (formally as Summer Playground Program) to give Chisholm area youth a unique opportunity to participate in fun, physical, adventurous, and creative activities for several weeks in the summer, guided by older teens and adults. The Chisholm Curling Club is the home base for CSRP. Youth entering grades 2 and up are eligible to participate in M-TH programming beginning in the middle of June for 7 weeks. CSRP is open from 9 AM to 4 PM and offers field trips, recreational activities, and crafts. A point system is incorporated into the program to encourage attendance and participation. Participants with the highest points are eligible to attend an incentive field trip during the last week of the program. Families must provide their own packed lunches daily. CSRP is available to both residents of Chisholm and nonresidents.
FIELD TRIPS
Participants are able to attend multiple field trips (typically 1-2 per week) at no added cost outside of bringing spending money when appropriate. Bussing is provided by ISD 695. Packing a lunch is important on field trip days in case the youth need their lunches with them to eat during the trip.
Field trips typically leave sometime in the morning after 9:30 AM and return before 3:30 PM.
Examples of past field trips: Paulucci Space Theater, Hibbing Splash Pad and Playgrounds, Mini Golf, Hiking at Redhead MTB Park, Olcott Park, Archery, Bowling, Mineview, etc.
PARTICIPATION POINTS
At CSRP, we strive to help your children attend, participate, and try new things. In doing so, we have created a point system. Points can be earned daily and are tallied weekly. At the end of the season, participants with enough points (typically the top 50-point earners) are offered participation in an Award Field Trip.
More about how to earn points: Participants are able to earn points through daily attendance and engaging in the scheduled activities: games, crafts, field trips, etc. Scores increase for youth on winning teams in sports activities. Participants can even earn points for signing up for the Summer Reading Program at Chisholm Public Library and reading in the program. Additionally, youth who are often noticed for being kind, cleaning up after themselves and/or others, and helping staff are able to earn extra points. The final field trip (usually takes place on Thursday of the final week of the program) celebrates the wrap-up of a fun, busy summer of activities. Examples of past final field trips: The Edge Waterpark, Trampoline Park (Duluth), State Parks, Splash Town, etc.
Participants are offered a lot of flexibility and choice in this program; after all, it's their summer break, which in some ways is a break from the structure of a scheduled school day. Participants get to decide which activities they want to sign up for. Each hour throughout the day offers sign-ups for programming such as bunker ball, bracelet making, volleyball, lawn games, gaga ball, etc. Participants can choose activities based on which Recreation Specialist is leading them, which activity they like the best, etc. There's even flexibility to just chill out and read a book or play board games with a friend if an organized activity isn't interesting in the moment. Field trips are also by choice and require sign-up. Participation points cannot be earned unless kids join in on the scheduled activities, though.
The daily schedule also allows for freedom. Participants entering grades 4 and up are allowed to "sign out" to go to the local convenience store or home for lunch if in walking distance. Participants are only allowed to sign out/in twice in a day. Participants entering grades 2 & 3 are chaperoned by a Recreation Specialist if they wish to go to the convenience store. If a parent/guardian does not want their child(ren) to sign out to go to the store or home, that agreement/expectation must be made with them.
Chisholm now has a Splash Pad! Thanks to the work of the Chisholm Kiwanis Club, the Splash Pad will be a weekly opportunity for participants. The Splash Pad will be incorporated into the daily schedules and be made available (weather depending) at least two days/week. Caregivers are encouraged to pack a swimsuit and towel daily, along with a participant's lunch, in case they wish to sign up for the Splash Pad as an activity.
Our grade requirements are in place because of the flexibility and freedom built into our program.
CRAFTS
Participants are invited to get creative during the CSRP program. Youth learn many different crafting options such as lanyard braiding, beading, painting, etc., and are able to participate in these crafts daily during free time. CSRP sometimes brings in local artists to lead guided crafts with youth.
REGISTRATION / 2026 DATES
Registration for CSRP opens every Spring in early to mid-April. The 2026 season "Early Bird" registration fee is $80 for the entire 7-week season if registered by June 8th. The fee increases to $95 for the entire season after June 7th. Online registration and payment. Online registration is required.
Day passes are available for $15/day. Online registration and payment for Day passes. Checks can be made out to the City of Chisholm, note CSRP Day Registration.
2026 Schedule
CSRP Staff Training Week: June 8 - 12
Week 1: June 15-18 (M-Th)
Week 2: June 22-25 (M-Th)
Week 3: June 29 - July 2 (M-W) SHORT WEEK closed on July 2nd for Floating 4th of July Holiday
Week 4: July 6-9 (M-Th)
Week 5: July 13-16 (M-Th)
Week 6: July 20-23 (M-Th)
Week 7: July 27-29 (M, T, W) SHORT WEEK closes early at 1 PM on Wed, last day party
Final Field Trip (for participants earning enough points): Thursday, July 30
PROGRAM POLICIES
1. CSRP Registration / Release of Liability Waiver and paid fees must be completed before participating.
2. Participants must sign in or out daily when entering or leaving the CSRP and include their destination. Each participant must be able to perform this task. Participants are limited to signing in and out two times a day.
3. All youth participating in field trips must be permitted to ride the bus by parents/guardians.
4. Participants must leave the program each day by 4:00 pm. If an emergency arises and parents/guardians are unable to pick-up a child by 4:00 pm, please contact the coordinators on duty. Phone number will be provided the first day and week of program.
5. Any participant damaging any property or equipment is responsible for its repairs or replacement.
6. Participants are required to wear gym shoes.
7. No gum is allowed for safety reasons.
8. CSRP is not responsible for any lost, broken, or stolen property.
9. There is zero tolerance for smoking, the use of alcohol, drugs, or weapons. Participants engaging in any high level unsafe or threatening behavior will be removed from the program.
10. Coordinators and/or Director will discuss all higher-level disciplinary behaviors with parents/guardians. CSRP functions best when parents/guardians are involved with correcting behaviors and enforcing program policies at home. Learning opportunities will be provided to correct unsatisfactory behaviors that simply need redirection. Behaviors requiring repeated redirection or discipline may result in the participant being removed from field trips, being sent home early, or removal from the program entirely.
11. We STRONGLY discourage kids from bringing their phones! If kids need to communicate with their parent/guardians, we have a Summer Rec cell phone they can use.
DROP OFF/PICK UP
Participants can be dropped off at the Chisholm Curling Club (430 1st St NW, Chisholm, MN 55719) at 9 AM. Participants are allowed to check in at 9 AM sharp. If participants are dropped off or arrive prior to 9 AM, they can wait in line outside the Chisholm Curling Club. Program policies state that pickup is required by 4 PM daily. Late pick up is not acceptable; please make arrangements for the child's pick up on time.
WHAT TO BRING
- Full water bottle
- Lunch (no refrigerator, so send an ice pack for cold items). Please Note: Meet Up and Chow Down (free lunch from the United Way is made available at Kiwanis Park, and participants have the option to sign up to walk to the park for lunch with a staff member, daily M-TH! Lunches are not available the week of July 4.
- Sunscreen for reapplication (please apply in the morning before arrival)
- Hat or eyewear for sun protection
- Swimwear, towel, sandals (daily!) - swimwear required for various field trips, but the Splash Pad can be a daily activity, weather dependent, so sending the swimwear daily is a good idea.
PARENTAL CONSENT/RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Parents/guardians are required to digitally submit consent and release of liability upon registration, which includes information about policies, permission to administer medical treatment, photo use release, and more. (Please contact Bridgit Maruska directly if you do not wish to have your child photographed for promotional purposes.)
CSRP REVIEWS
“My kids had the time of their lives yesterday. Thank you for putting on a great program this summer. I really appreciate the opportunity for my children to attend your rec program. They made friends, memories, a got to stay busy while my husband and I were working. The staff was excellent as well.” -Magan S.
"Just want to thank everyone for making Carmen's first year an amazing experience for her! Thank you so much!!! She already is looking forward to next summer. 
Thank you to all the staff and workers making it fun for her and all the hard work they all did!" -Jaime
"I’ll keep my eye out for registration information because the two boys definitely want to go!" -Caroline
"This is an amazing program for our kids! Keep up the great work!" -Kristin S.
SCHOLARSHIPS/PAYMENTS
The City of Chisholm offers scholarships for families who may need a little financial help in getting their kids to the program. The City of Chisholm makes every effort to provide access to CSRP for all youth. See scholarship guidelines and application below for more information.
Payments made online have the option of 1/2 down made at the time of registration, and the remainder of the balance paid at a second date. This option helps families on a budget complete full payment.
Registration fees are nonrefundable.
CONTACT
REGISTRATION ↓
2026 Registration opens April 14, 2026