Published in the February 18, 2016 edition.

By MARK SARDELLA

WAKEFIELD – New England Patriots star wide receiver and kickoff returner Danny Amendola will be conducting a two-day youth football camp in Wakefield this summer.

Recreation Director Dan McGrath confirmed at last night’s Recreation Commission meeting that Amendola will be in Wakefield for the camp on the weekend of July 23 and 24. The camp will use Landrigan Field and Beasley Field at Wakefield Memorial High School. McGrath said that he expects the camp to be open to boys and girls in grades 1-8.

McGrath noted that the camp will be run by sports marketing firm “ProCamps.” The Recreation Department’s involvement will be limited to handling the permitting and rental of the fields for each day. He said that ProCamps will pay the Recreation Department for the use of the fields and the school on July 23 and 24.

While the dates are definite, McGrath said that the exact times for the camp have not yet been set. Once those kinds of details are firmed up, ProCamps will publicize the camp locally in the Daily Item, McGrath said. Kids will be able to register directly through ProCamps.

McGrath also told the Recreation Commission that the NBA star Pat Connaughton of the Portland Trailblazers will hold a week-long basketball camp in Wakefield this summer. The dates have not been announced, but McGrath said that the Recreation Department will have direct involvement with that camp.

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McGrath also updated the commission on plans to bring back last summer’s highly successful “Movies by the Lake” program in collaboration with Wakefield Community Access Television (WCAT).

He said that a Facebook blast had been posted asking the public to weigh in on movie titles they would like to see offered. McGrath told the commission that potential sponsors for this summer’s movie nights are already coming forward. He said that he would like to expand the program to offer more movies. He would also like to see individual sponsors have a say in the movies selected, perhaps films with themes that tie into their product or service.

Sponsors pay for the movie rights as well as the screen and sound system rental, McGrath said. Movie rights last year were in the range of $500 per film, he added, and he anticipates that the rates will be higher this year.

Last summer, movies were offered on Thursday nights. McGrath said that he might suggest doing Friday nights this summer. He also said that he has a food truck lined up for this summer’s movies.

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In other business, McGrath said that he has not heard back from a representative of North Boston Sports Dogs Training Group, which was interested in offering some dog training programs. There was some discussion of which field would be most suitable if the program does move forward.

McGrath also provided an update on programming, including February school vacation programs like basketball, floor hockey and a cooking program.