FALL 2020 PROGRAMS
** We do require masks for ALL CLASSES, just in case a class needs to be held indoors and social distancing is not possible.
Fall Programs:
SAFE SITTER® BABYSITTING COURSE
WHO: Boys and girls 11-15 years old
WHEN (Choose one):
Saturday, September 5
Friday, October 9
TIME: 8:00am-1:00pm
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge
FEE: $50/participant (Town of Van Buren Residents); $55/participant (Non-Residents)
(Min. for class= 3; Max. # in class = 5)
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.
A mask must be brought to class. We will try to hold the class outdoors, if the class is held inside a mask must be worn, no exceptions. We will give the students plenty of breaks for them to take their masks off, if needed.
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, September 21-October 26
TIME: 6:45pm-7:30pm
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge
FEE: Beginner - $50.00/participant (Town of Van Buren Residents) ; $55.00/participant (Non-Residents) (Min. in class = 3, Max. in class = 5)
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.
PUMPKIN DECORATING
WHO: Children ages 12 & Under
WHEN: Saturday, October 17
TIME: 9:15am– 10:00am
WHERE: Van Buren Park, main entrance (Pavilion B); in case of inclement weather we will use the Park lodge (Connors Rd)
FEE: $8.00 per child (must be pre-registered by Monday, October 12)
(min. # of participants =5; max. # of participants = 10)
** Pre-registration is requested to make sure we have enough pumpkins for everyone!
Kids will hand pick their own pumpkin and decorate them with paints, feathers, glitter, etc.
** This event will happen rain or shine.
Registrations for this program need to be in by Monday, October 12th.
In these classes you will learn about using different piping tips to frost and, in some cases, stuff 12 cupcakes . Cupcakes, frosting, sprinkles and all of the tools you need to decorate with will be provided for you to use in the classes (cupcakes and frosting will be premade ahead of time so we can limit the contact between participants and the instructor). Containers will also be provided for kids to take their cupcakes home in.
CUPCAKE DECORATING - M&M'S STUFFED
WHO: Ages 10 and up
WHEN: Saturday, November 7
TIME: 9:00-10:15am
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge (Connors Road Entrance)
FEE: $11.00/participant - Town of Van Buren Residents
$13.00/participant - Non-Residents
(Min. for class = 3; Max. for class=5)
CUPCAKE DECORATING - COOKIES AND CREAM
WHO: Ages 8 and up
WHEN: Saturday, November 7
TIME: 1:00-1:15pm.
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge (Connors Road Entrance)
FEE: $12.00/participant - Town of Van Buren Residents
$14.00/participant - Non-Residents
(Min. for class = 3; Max. for class= 5)
DECORATE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS PLATE
WHO: 3 year olds and up
WHEN: Saturday, December 12
TIME: 3:00-3:30pm
WHERE: Van Buren Park Lodge (Connors Road)
FEE: $10.00/child (Min. # of kids=3; Max # of kids=5)
Do your kids leave cookies for Santa? Kids can decorate their own holiday plate, for Santa this year - they are fun to do and will be a real keepsake. Or give as a special gift for that special person on your holiday list. After decorating the plate, kids will finish by decorating some of their own cookies to take home.
MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS/DECORATIONS
WHO: Children ages 5 and up (younger children may sign up but only if accompanied by an adult!)
WHEN: Saturday, December 14
TIME: 8:30am-11:00am
WHERE: Van Buren Town Hall
FEE: $21.00/child - Residents
$24.00/child - Non-residents
(Min. # of kids=3; Max # of kids=5)
Kids will create between 4 - 8 Christmas keepsakes right before the holiday season.
We will be watching Christmas movies as we are making our crafts.
Please make sure your children come dressed in old clothes.
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, the banks in the Baldwinsville area and the Baldwinsville Public Library. 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, check or credit cards (with a minimal fee)! 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!