Despite a delay caused by a teachers' strike, Hermitage Parks and Recreation Commission summer programs are set to begin Monday.

"We just moved everything back a week," said Ed Chess, city Parks and Recreation director. "Normally we would have a six week-long session. This year it will run five weeks."

Summer program scheduling was changed after an extra week was added to the school year to make up for time lost to a seven-day strike by the Hermitage Education Association in March.

About 350 Hermitage children participate in summer programs, according to Chess. Many of those running the programs -- which include arts and crafts, music lessons, cheerleading, girls volleyball, wrestling, tennis and golf lessons -- are Hermitage teachers.

Some new offerings include youth bowling leagues at Buzzy's Ten Pin Alley, Hermitage, for children 4 through high school age, and Start Smart, a class that gets 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds ready for T-ball and softball.

"Kids work with their parents," said Chess, who will be leading the class. "If there's some structure to teaching kids, they can go away with some basic skills. We want their parents to be able to go away with some drills and teach them the right way to start."

The summer program is only open to Hermitage residents. Children can register during the first week of the session, though Chess encourages early registration, so the commission knows how many kids will be in each class.

There is a fee for some classes, others are free. The city and the school district pay for programs. There will be no classes the week of Fourth of July because school buildings used for programs will be closed during the holiday week, Chess said.

The Hermitage Parks and Recreation Commission also sponsors a summer concert series. The first concert is the Fred Boles Quartet at 6:30 p.m. June 26 at the gazebo area of Rodney White Olympic Park.