CALUMET CITY | Whenever Gene Popa hears there's nothing for children and teens to do in Calumet City, he gets frustrated.

Whether it's a soccer league, volleyball, karate or swimming at Finneran Pool, the Calumet City Memorial Park District offers so much, said Popa, the district's community supervisor.

"There's always something for every age group from 6 months old to senior citizens," he said. "There's no reason someone can't find something to do with the park district this summer, even if it's a movie or event or taking a trip with us."

So far, more than 200 children have enrolled in the park district's day camp this summer, Popa said, adding the soccer program also has great attendance.

But the park district would always like more children to register for programs, especially swim lessons.

"I'd say for safety's sake, I'd love to see every single swim lesson filled," Popa said. "Even if they don't like to swim, someone may be in a situation in the water and need to know."

Increased participation has come in some areas, Popa said. He cited the soccer program and the day camp as examples.

"It's good to see," he said. "Our special events seem to be drawing more participants and families together, instead of families dropping kids off, they are coming along with them.

"It's nice see things are turning around."

Lisa Burns, 34, grew up in park district programs, and over the years has enrolled her 10-year-old son in everything from preschool and basketball to swimming, soccer, flag football, parades and kite-flying.

"He wants to go back all the time," the Calumet City resident said. "He loves it. If he's not active, he's going stir-crazy."

Burns said many parents may fail to sign up their children for anything during the summer.

"(The park district) is extremely overlooked," she said, adding that with a childhood spike in obesity, park district programs across the suburbs are more important than ever.

"I think most of these kids sit around and play video games and watch TV and do nothing else," she said.

Popa agreed, and said park programs offer a safe, supervised place for children and teens to play.

"After nine months of school, kids want to do whatever they want to do, but kids respond well to a structured environment and are much less likely to get into mischief," he said.