Winter Break Camps, holiday events + |
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December 11, 2020
As the Skokie Park District operates in Phase 4, Tier 3 of the
Restore Illinois Plan, the following are reminders and news updates for this week.
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Sign up for a Winter Break Camp!
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Varsity Hockey Camp at the Skatium
Ages: 7-13
Improve your hockey skills over the holidays with more than ten hours of on-ice instruction per week. Recreational time and hockey lectures included daily. Ten percent discounted rate for all 2020-21 Skatium team players. Few spots remain. COVID-19 requirements apply.
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Winter Break Sports Camp at Weber
Ages: 6-12
On Monday through Wednesday mornings over winter break, the Hot Shots Sports staff at the Weber Leisure Center will teach kids NERF, soccer, volleyball, tennis, and pickleball skills.
Kids will develop motor skills and grow socially and emotionally through teamwork and sportsmanship. Bring a snack and come ready to play. The extended afternoon option will be run by Weber Leisure Center staff.
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School’s Out Fun at Oakton
Ages: 5-11
Children will participate in all-day activities at the Oakton Community Center including games, crafts, outdoor play and local field trips to Skokie parks and playgrounds. Lunch is included each day.
Mondays through Thursdays over winter break. Register now as space is limited.
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Winter Break Camp at Emily Oaks
Ages: 6-7
Each day your child will play outside, exploring where these different animals live and discover how they survive in the winter time. Activities include games, hiking, related craft projects, outdoor exploration, puzzles and stories.
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Diary of an EcoRestoration volunteer
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With the next EcoRestoration Day volunteering opportunity coming up next weekend, check out the journal of volunteer Raphael Maranon, earlier this year.
"I came across EcoRestoration when I was looking for an organization that enhances the resilience of our community as part of my service and sustainability class. At first, I was just looking for something to fulfill my class requirements. I had no idea that I would enjoy volunteering for EcoRestoration so much.
EcoRestoration work includes collecting and planting seeds, removing invasive species, and learning about the native plants of Illinois. On my first day, I learned how to repot a tree –– something I had not learned in my 19 years of living. I repotted oak trees and also made seed starter pots.
That day, my supervisor Genevieve, talked to me about the importance of preserving the native plants of Illinois. She said that EcoRestoration works to keep invasive species at a manageable population. She explained that since these species have no natural predators, they can monopolize most resources, outcompeting native plants and ultimately destroying the natural ecosystem.
EcoRestoration relies on volunteers to maintain and build a more resilient ecosystem in Skokie. One volunteer alone can make a huge difference. Since I started volunteering for EcoRestoration, their harvest of native seeds has more than tripled, helping native species in Skokie to bounce back."
Volunteer Here!
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Contest: Holiday Ham Basketball Shot
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Children ages 6-13 and an accompanying adult (18+) are invited to show off their basketball shooting skills in the Skokie Park District inaugural Holiday Ham Basketball Shot!
This timed event will have your pair taking turns shooting shots from spots around the basketball court. The winner of each age division will receive a frozen ham to enjoy or donate for the upcoming holiday. An adult 18+ must be present to participate.
December 23, 9–11:45 a.m.
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Join the Barking Breakfast Club
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Does your new puppy need to burn energy and make new friends? Join us for a brisk walk around Oakton Park followed by on-leash play and socialization with other puppies, while the humans enjoy provided donuts (please feel free to bring your own coffee or hot chocolate).
Puppies will need to stay on-leash at the park and are required to have their first set of immunization shots. Each registered puppy will receive a dog toy, a natural treat, and be entered into a raffle to win a year membership to Pooch Park.
Fee: $5 per puppy
Ages: Dogs: 1 year or younger / Humans: 18+ (one human per dog per state regulations)
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North Pole Express in a Box |
Take a voyage to the North Pole from the comfort of your home!
This box will transport you to a winter wonderland, with each box containing materials needed to create an edible treat and three crafts, along with three activity books and three packets of hot chocolate. You will be notified when your box is ready and a time will be scheduled for you to pick it up.
Deadline to purchase is Friday, December 18 at 5 p.m.
Fee: $35.
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Tree Decorating & Tree Walk
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Spread joy this holiday season by decorating a holiday tree at Oakton Park! We provide the trees. You bring the decorations and lights. A distinguished panel of judges will award the most festive tree with a $25 Skokie Park District gift card! Deadline to register for decorating is today, Friday, December 11 at 5 p.m.
December 16-20
Trees will be decorated.
December 21-29
Take a free stroll through Oakton Park's decorated trees!
Two options are available. Decorate your own 4 ft. tree, or decorate half of a 4 ft. tree.
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Take the HoliFit Challenge! |
The holiday season looks different this year but that doesn't mean you can't squeeze in a little fitness each day. Every business day, December 14–22, we will post a short fitness challenge on our Facebook page to be completed that day.
Email club manager Jennie Bever a picture of you completing the challenge of the day and you will be entered in a raffle to win that day's prize. Those who complete all seven challenges will be entered in a raffle for an Amazon gift card.
Stay strong and Happy HoliFit!
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Recycled Skokie playground lands in Zambia |
If you find yourself in Lusaka –– the capital and largest city in Zambia –– and you happen to wander past a park playground that looks familiar, you may have actually seen it before. The playground equipment pictured here was removed from the Skokie Park District's Winnebago Park in 2017 by Kids Around the World, and with the help of Every Orphans Hope, was donated to the Southern-Central African city of 3.3 million.
For the past several years, as the Skokie Park District has renovated their 1990s playgrounds, much of the old equipment has been recycled through Kids Around the World. The organization works to change the lives of children in places overseas affected by war, poverty, disease and natural disasters, harvesting commercial grade playgrounds from parks, schools, and churches, and then refurbishing each one for re-installation around the world.
Recycled Skokie playground structures have been donated thus far from Devonshire, Sequoya, Oakton, Emerson, McNally and Winnebago Parks.
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Winter Programs are here!
Resident registration begins on Tuesday, December 15
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The Skokie Park District's 102-page Winter Program Guide now lives online and features almost daily updated classes and events!
From Noon Years Eve to Winter Chilly Fest to Trivia Nights, the guide includes registration links to every class.
Take a look today and plan all of your winter fun!
Click on the winter guide cover to view it.
Due to COVID-19, all programs and events listed are subject to change or cancellation.
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December Holiday Events Calendar
In addition, check out a second online piece, featuring a new roster of nothing but December Holiday Happenings, including outdoor events, one-day workshops and winter break camps.
Click on the calendar to view it.
Due to COVID-19, all programs and events listed are subject to change or cancellation.
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Sports Park is open through winter
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To use the golf range, buy a range debit card and swing away from any one of the park's heated stations, featuring an automatic tee-up system! Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To play mini-golf (Traveler's Quest) call (847) 674-1500, ext. 3100 to make a same day reservation, weather permitting.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed: During inclement weather
Sports Park batting cages are closed for the season.
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