Winter/Spring/Summer 2018 Recreation Programs
Additional Links
Spring/Summer Brochure (Full Version)
** For specific information on the Summer Playground Program, please follow the 2018 Summer Playground Program link above (under Parks and Recreation)!
Winter/Spring/Summer Brochure Programs:
SAFE SITTER® BABYSITTING COURSE
WHO: Boys and girls 11-15 years old
WHEN: Session I: Monday, April 23
Session II: Thursday, August 10
Session III: Tuesday, August 15
TIME: 9:00am-2:30pm
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge FEE: $60/participant (Min. for class= 4; Max. # in class = 8)
Safe Sitter® teaches young teens everything they need to know to be safe when they're home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting. Participants will learn life-saving skills such as how to rescue someone who's choking, basic first aid, how to handle situations that may occur, how to prevent injuries, how to seek help when serious issues arise and helpful information like what to do if there is severe weather.
Students will need to remain on site for the entire time so each participant will need to bring the following items to class: a lunch, drink, snack, notebook and a pen/pencil.
WHO: Children 5-12 years of age
WHEN: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, July 23-August 2
TIME: 9-9:45am or 10-10:45am
WHERE: Van Buren Central Park, Canton Street
FEE: $40.00/participant, plus one can of tennis balls (Minimum # for class to run = 3; Max in class = 8)
Beginner tennis lessons for children 6-14 years of age. 6– 45 minute sessions will be taught at the Van Buren Park tennis courts. Little or no tennis experience is necessary. Junior size rackets will be provided for those who need them. Class will not be held if it is raining. We will not make up classes if only one day is missed. If two or more classes are missed, they will be rescheduled for a different day.
TO REGISTER: Advanced registration is a must. Please use the program registration form.
DOG OBEDIENCE - BEGINNER CLASS
WHO: Dogs (at least 4 mos. old) and their handler (at least 14 years old)
WHAT: A beginner dog obedience class
WHEN: Mondays, July 9-August 13
TIME: 6:45pm-7:30pm
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge
FEE: Beginner - $55.00/participant (Min. in class = 3, Max. in class = 8)
Beginner: This class will cover basic obedience training, so handlers can have fun with their dogs! Includes: heeling, stand, come, sit-stay and down-stay.
NOTE: Those registered need to bring proof of Rabies, DHL and Parvo inoculations to first class. You will also need to bring a six-foot lead and training collar to class (beginners) and a 10 foot lead to the advanced class. Please bring treats for reinforcements.
DOG TRAINING - BASIC MANNERS AND SOCIAL SKILLSCLASS
WHO: Dogs (at least 4 mos. old) and their handler (at least 14 years old)
WHAT: A continuation of basic dog obedience
WHEN: Mondays, July 9-August 13
TIME: 7:45pm-8:30pm
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge
FEE: $60.00/participant (Min. in class = 3, Max. in class =5)
This class covers body language, leash manners, setting boundaries, correcting unwanted behavior and defining socialization.
Training collar and 6' leash are required. No flexi leads or choke collars allowed. All dogs must have current vaccines. Handlers should bring soft chewy treats.
Evaluations to ensure dogs have basic obedience skills, which are needed for the class, will be done the first night of class.
NOTE: Those registered need to bring proof of Rabies, DHL and Parvo inoculations to first class.
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
BOATER SAFETY COURSES - 1 DAY CLASSES
WHO: Ages 10 and up
WHAT: A course in boater safety
WHEN:
Session I: Sunday, March 4
Session II: Sunday, March 18
Session III: Saturday, March 31
Session IV: Saturday, April 21
Session V: Saturday, May 12
Session VI: Saturday, June 2
Session VII: Saturday, June 23
TIME: 9:00am. - 5:30pm
WHERE: Van Buren Town Hall
FEE: $35.00 per participant (covers materials and certificates)
(Min. for class = 20; Max. for class= 30)
The Boating Safety Course is a comprehensive, one day, training class focusing on the importance of safety on the water. It presents an opportunity to learn from U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary certified instructors. The course is specifically designed for New York State Boaters and tailored to local boating waters for the safe operation of boats and personal watercraft.
This course satisfies the boater education requirements for ALL STATES.
Instructors that have extensive knowledge and experience with local boating, are certified by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, New York State Parks, and the National Safe Boating Council will provide professional instruction and answer your boating questions.
The number of students in each class is limited. Advance registration is required.
Participants must pass the exam to receive their certification.
GIRLS K-2 BASKETBALL PROGRAM
WHO: Girls ages K-2
WHEN: Fridays, April 6 - May 11 (except April 27)
TIME: 6:00-6:45pm
WHERE: Elden Elementary School
FEE: $30.00/participant (Min for class = 7; Max. for class = 20)
The Little Ladies Basketball skills camp is for girls in grades pre-k to grade 2. The Little Ladies Basketball skills camp is intended to teach the basic fundamentals of the game of basketball. Participants will learn how to dribble, pass, catch, shoot, and move while playing both offense and defense. Participants will also gain general knowledge including game rules.
T-shirts will also be given out around the third week of class. Please make sure to indicate the child’s t-shirt size on the registration form.
START SMART SOCCER
WHO: Kids 3-5 plus a parent
WHEN: Thursdays, July 5-August 9
TIME: 6:30-7:30pm
WHERE: Van Buren Central Park, near tennis courts
FEE: $45.00/participant (Min. for class = 6; Max. for class = 12)
Start Smart Soccer is a developmentally appropriate introductory soccer program for children (ages 3-5). It is a parent/guardian participation program for young children who have never played soccer. Get in the game and sign up for Start Smart™ Soccer today. Start Smart™ Soccer teaches children, ages 3 to 5, the basic motor skills necessary to play organized soccer while they work one-on-one and spend quality time with their parents. The program focuses on teaching children, and their parents, skills in dribbling, kicking, passing and trapping, and running/agility without the threat of competition or the fear of getting hurt.
Held once a week for six weeks; each week the exercises become increasingly more difficult as the class progresses and the children show improvement.
Start Smart programs prepare your child for organized sports in a FUN non-threatening environment. Each program is age specific. Equipment is also designed for each age specific group. Equipment is included in the signup fee. Parent participation is required at every session for each program.
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK
YOGA SERIES
WHO: Anyone 16 and up
WHEN: Tuesdays, July 10-August 14
or Thursdays, July 12-August 16
TIME: 7:00-8:15pm.
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge
FEE: $60.00/participant (Min. for class = 10; Max. for class = 20)
Do you want to relieve stress, aches and pains, or simply sleep and feel better? Then, this 6 week Yoga series is for you. This is a multi-level class which combines the wisdom of yoga with the science of exercise for an amazingly transformational experience. It is taught in the traditional Hatha Yoga style which links the mind, body and breath to each movement.
Each class is led using detailed instruction to encourage anatomical alignment. Variations and modifications of the postures are woven into each class in order to ensure the highest level of participation and enjoyment for each student.
**Yoga mat needed. Outdoor class, but in case of inclement weather the class will be moved indoors.
TO REGISTER: Please use the program registration form. Please indicate which night you are registering for.
Wednesday, July 11: MAKE YOUR OWN PIGGY BANK
WHO: Kids 4 and older
TIME: 6:30-7:00pm
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge
FEE: $6.00
(Min. for class= 3; Max. # in class = 8)
Have fun and paint your own ceramic 4" bank with top coin slot and rubber stopper on the bottom. Participants will be able to choose from an elephant, a fish, a pig or a turtle.
Wednesday, July 18 : MOSAIC TILE COASTERS AND MOSAIC TILE PICTURE FRAMES
WHO: Kids 9 and older
TIME: 6:30am-7:45pm
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge
FEE: $15.00
(Min. for class= 3; Max. # in class = 5)
Participants will create four - 4” mosaic tiles using air –drying indoor cement. While we are waiting for the coasters to set, we will make a mosaic tile picture frame. Kids will enjoy painting these wooden frames with non-toxic metallic paint and arranging colorful polished porcelain tiles as accents.
Wednesday & Thursday, August 8 & 9 : MOSAIC 8” STEPPING STONE
WHO: Kids 9 and older
TIME: 6:30-7:45pm
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge
FEE: $15.00
(Min. for class= 3; Max. # in class = 5)
Discover just how fun making stained glass stepping stones really is! Create stepping stones using the innovative mosaic indirect method which requires no gluing or grouting.
This is a two day project. Participants will set the mold the first day and lay the stones into a pattern. The following day we will do any touch up work with paint.
TO REGISTER: Please use the program registration form. Please indicate which class you are signing up for.
The Town of Van Buren Parks and Recreation Department offers recreation programs for all ages! These change seasonally; all are listed in the Parks and Recreation Department program brochures. These are published 3 times per year (December, April and September) and distributed to schools in the Baldwinsville School District (now done electronically – email blasted through the school district), the banks in the Baldwinsville area, the Baldwinsville Public Library, and the Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce. They can also be found at the Van Buren Town Hall, and at the Parks and Recreation Office.
REGISTRATION PROCEDURE FOR PROGRAMS
Please do not wait to register for a program! There is a point – usually 5 business days prior to start date – when we need to make a decision whether to cancel a program due to lack of participation. Invariably, we get many telephone inquiries on a program after we’ve cancelled it!
Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and are accepted:
- Until the business day prior to the program start date,
- By a specified registration deadline (will be listed with the program, if applicable), OR
- Until the program fills to capacity!
Fill out a registration form (one per person). These can either be downloaded from this website, or found in the Recreation Departments program brochures. Mail the form(s) with payment to the Parks and Recreation Department, or stop by during office hours (8:30am.-4:00pm., Monday-Friday).
Payment is accepted in the form of cash or check only – we do not accept credit cards! Please do not send cash through the mail. Completed registration form and payment must be received by this office prior to participation in a program.
** Due to budgetary and time constraints, you will NOT be sent a confirmation of your registration, OR be contacted by telephone! You will ONLY be contacted if we are unable to fit you into the program requested, or in the event of a program cancellation. So, if you do not hear from us, simply report to the program the first day it meets. You are certainly welcome to contact this office to check on any registrations.
SUGGESTIONS
Most of the activities listed in our brochure are the result of interest on the part of an individual or group of people. If you would like our department to expand on any existing programs or create new ones, we would welcome your suggestions! Either mail or email your ideas, call us, or visit the Parks & Recreation office during business hours. We’d love to hear from you!