By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
In response to demand, Sitka Parks & Recreation opened registration Monday for its first summer programs covering age groups from 18 months to advanced skill levels.
Summer Tumblers, a trampoline and tumbling gymnastics program from parent-tot through high school, will run from June 5 through 30, with other sessions to be announced.
Preschool in Motion runs June 5-16, and June 19-30, for ages three and four.
Both programs are offered by Trisha Bessert, the former owner and instructor for the Sitka Gymnastics Academy.
“There’s a lot of excitement,” city recreation specialist Andrew Roseman said. He noted some 60 emails had been received from parents interested in the gymnastics program for their kids.
Bessert said she’s not surprised that people are eager to get started.
“It’s the sport of all sports, a great developmental sport even for those who don’t end up competing in it,” Bessert said. “The skills you develop will apply to many other sports.”
Bessert grew up in Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in clinical laboratory science. She was a self-starter in gymnastics, teaching herself on her home trampoline and playground bar such skills as back handsprings, and front and back tucks.
She said she was lucky enough to be in a school phys ed program that offered gymnastics starting in elementary school. She began competing in meets in eighth grade, and found she enjoyed that part as well.
“I loved competing and taking classes, but I really loved teaching my teammates a new skill,” she said.
Bessert, 36, moved to Sitka in 2013 to work in the SEARHC lab, but soon after decided to offer gymnastics classes at the Hames Center in 2014, building the program to 250 students. After outgrowing the space, she opened the Academy on Smith Street in 2016, with kids taking classes and competing around the nation.
During 2020, the pandemic forced a hiatus of gymnastics and other indoor programs. The Academy briefly reopened then closed when CARES ACT funding became uncertain. Bessert stayed in town and today is the recreation program coordinator for Mt. Edgecumbe High School.
She’s eager to get started with gymnastics teaching again for the community, and offer programs for a wide variety of ages through the city Parks & Rec program.
The Tongass Tumblers has an extensive list of course offerings for a number of grade levels, starting with parent-tot sessions on up to advanced for older school-age students.
Most classes are once a week, with some offered twice a week.
Bessert described Preschool in Motion as a “fun, recreational movement-based program,” aimed at building body awareness and confidence through fine- and gross-motor activities. Indoor and outdoor activities will include gymnastics, crafts, gross-motor learning games, sensory activities and activities to build fine-motor skills.
Some of the classes are already full but others are still open. Sign-ups are on the city website under Sitka Parks & Recreation.
Registration will be open soon for other summer programs, including a singing class for those 18 months old through high school and adults, offered by Hannah Cummiskey; a summer running club for grades five to eight, offered by Sitka High cross country running team alum Addie Poulson; and an aviation camp offered by Jack Davis, a Mt. Edgecumbe High School teacher.
