ActivitE-News

March 2024

Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve Walk 

📍 Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve

📅 Sat., Ma. 30, Apr. 13, Apr. 27, May 11

🕣 8:30 a.m.

🧑‍🦱 All Ages

⏳ No Registration required

💲Free for all ages

Meet at the trailhead of the Preserve at the intersection of Jubal Early Dr., Handley Ave., and Meadow Branch Ave. for a 2-hour walk focusing on bird migration and wildflowers. Wear comfortable clothing and bring water, binoculars, and a camera if you have them. Winchester Parks and Recreation and the Northern Shenandoah Valley Audubon Society cosponsor this free activity. Call 540-303-3983 for more info.

PB&J Club

📍 Rec Center Gym

📅 Wed, Mar. 13 

🕣 9:00-11:30 a.m.

🧑‍🦱 Ages 1-5

💲RDF $4, Fee $5

Play, Bounce and Jump to refine motor skills and have fun with a gym full of toddler-appropriate play equipment. This is a parent supervised activity.

Atlantic City Trip

📍 Depart from Rec Center

📅 Sat., Apr 13

🕣 Depart at 5:00 a.m.

⏳ Register by Mar. 10

🧑‍🦱 All Ages

💲$120/person or $450 for 4 people



Join us for a community day trip to the Jersey Shore. The charter bus will depart from the Rec Center at 5 a.m. and will return around midnight. Once in Atlantic City, passengers will be dropped off at the Resorts Casino Hotel to explore the city on their own. Cost includes transportation only. Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

YOUTH LEAGUES

Are you ready to pass, set, hit? Sign up for this great league and you can do all three! This league will help new players learn the fundamentals of volleyball and allow experienced players to continue improving their skills. Sessions are one hour in length. Team times will vary.

** FREE Registration for City of Winchester Residents! (Must have 22601 as home zip code).

ADULT LEAGUES

Kickball

📍 Eagles Field, Jim Barnett Park

📅 Tuesdays, Apr. 2 – May 21

🕕 6 – 9 p.m.

🧑‍🦱 Ages: 18+

⏳ Register by: March 28

💲RDF $130, Fee $140 per team

This co-ed league is played like the elementary school game you remember - the one with the big red playground ball. It's an easy game that is open to all skill levels. Even YOU can be a kickball superstar!

Ultimate Frisbee

📍 Preston Field, Jim Barnett Park

📅 Wednesdays, Apr. 3 – May 22

🕕 6 – 9 p.m.

🧑‍🦱 Ages: 18+

⏳ Register by: March 26

💲RDF $16, Fee $18 per individual

Combining the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football, a game of Ultimate is played by two seven-player squads with a high-tech plastic disc on a field similar to football. The object of the game is to score by catching a pass in the opponent’s end zone. Teams of 7 participants minimum, 14 participants maximum per team.  

La Ronda Spanish Class

📍 Rec Center

📅 Mondays, Apr. 1–Apr. 29 (no class 4/22)

🕦 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

⏳ Register by: Mar. 28

🧑‍🦱 Ages 4-12

💲 RDF: $45, Fee: $50

Spanish classes for children that are 4 to 12 years old. In this fun class, children will have the opportunity to explore the world of Spanish language and culture.

Easter Cookie Kit

📍 Pickup at Rec Center

📅 Mar. 28 starting at noon

🧑‍🦱 All Ages

⏳ Register by: Mar. 20

💲RDF $30, Fee $35

Take-home kits include 1 dozen cookies, icing, an instruction card, and a demo video.

St. Patrick's Day

Cookie Kit

📍 Pickup at Rec Center

📅 Mar. 15 starting at noon

🧑‍🦱 All Ages

⏳ Register by: Mar. 7

💲RDF $30, Fee $35

Take-home kits include 1 dozen cookies, icing, an instruction card, and a demo video.

How to Sew with

a Sewing Machine

📍 Rec Center, Arts and Crafts Room

📅 Apr. 16 – May 23

🕦 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

⏳ Register by: Apr. 8

🧑‍🦱 Ages 8-12 (Tuesdays), 13+ (Thursdays)

💲 Fee: $160

If you've ever wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine but don't know where to start, this is the class for you! We'll cover what fabrics to choose and how to cut them, sewing terms and safety, how to thread and sew on your machine properly, and more. You'll have your first project to take home within a few classes! We will have sewing machines available, or you can bring your own. Taught by former teacher Julie Napear, owner of customkidsclothes.biz and Julie Napear Photography.

Note: as the instructor is immunocompromised, she will have medical-grade masks on hand and requests they be worn during class for the safety and kindness of all involved. Please do not come to class if you are sick--make-ups can be scheduled. 

Hawaiian Dance

and Culture

📍 Rec Center, Community Activity Room

📅 Wednesdays, Mar. 6 – Apr. 10

🕦 5 – 6 p.m.

⏳ Register by: Mar. 4

🧑‍🦱 Ages 6-12 

💲 Fee: $150

📍 Rec Center, Community Activity Room

📅 Wednesdays, Mar. 6 – Apr. 10

🕦 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 7 – 8:30 p.m.

⏳ Register by: Mar. 4

🧑‍🦱 Ages 13+ 

💲 Fee: $225

Learn about the history, culture, language, and dance techniques of the indigenous people of Hawaii through the poetry in motion called HULA. Male and female are welcome with and without the ability to do footwork; the story is in the hands!

Group Piano

📍 Rec Center

📅 Mondays, Apr. 8–May 20

🕒 4:00–4:30 p.m. (4-5), 4:30–5:30 p.m.(6-14)

⏳ Register by: Mar. 28

🧑‍🦱 Ages: 4-5, 6–14

💲 Fee: $175

Using a combination of traditional methodologies and modern techniques, students will learn to read, compose and perform modern music pieces. Students will learn to read treble and bass clef, play triads in major and minor keys, play a variety of scales and learn how to improvise and compose. Our curriculum is modified to fit the ability of individual students and classes. 

Group Guitar

📍 Rec Center

📅 Mondays, Apr. 8–May 20

🕒 5:30–6:30 p.m. 

⏳ Register by: Mar. 28

🧑‍🦱 Ages: 9-14

💲 Fee: $175

Our team-developed guitar curriculum focuses on the individual needs of each student. The techniques learned in this course will enable the students to perform with rock bands, school bands, guitar ensembles and to compose original music. This course can accommodate all levels of guitar students as each student receives an individual education plan at the beginning of the session. 

Group Ukulele

📍 Rec Center

📅 Thursdays, Apr. 4–May 23

🕒 3:00–3:30 p.m. (3-4), 3:30–4:30 p.m.(5-14)

⏳ Register by: Apr. 1

🧑‍🦱 Ages: 3–4, 5–14

💲 Fee: $200

Ukulele is the new educational standard used by young students as a gateway into guitar and other stringed instruments. Using a variety of pop and folk songs, students will learn chords, fingerpicking and rhythm techniques that they may use to perform pieces or accompany themselves singing. Students may transition to guitar instruction after the initial session or continue studying more advanced techniques on Ukulele. 

Let's Put on a Show

📍 Rec Center

📅 Thursdays, Apr. 4–May 23

🕒 4:30–5:30 p.m. 

⏳ Register by: Apr. 1

🧑‍🦱 Ages: 6-14

💲 Fee: $200

This class is designed to give students an introduction into musical theater. Students will explore all aspects of artistry and craftsmanship of Theater and learn what it takes to put a show together. Teachers will give them a theme in which the students will create the storyline and dialogue. Teachers will bring in music and choreography to complement that storyline. In addition to the story, students will help in the development of props and set design. Students are not only the actors and singers but collaborators in creating live theatre. 

Mini Mighty Maestros

📍 Rec Center

📅 Mondays, Apr. 8–May 20

🕒 3:30–4:00 p.m.

⏳ Register by: Mar. 28

🧑‍🦱 Ages 5-14

💲 Fee: $175

Students will sing, dance, and perform instrumental accompaniments to traditional and modern children’s songs ranging from the music of popular modern hits to multicultural world music in a variety of languages. Critical listening skills will be taught through exposure to classical and modern orchestral pieces, where students will identify song form, instruments, dynamics, and articulation used by composers to create artistic and emotionally impactful pieces. Beginner-level music theory, including note and rhythm reading, will be taught through a series of fun games and group activities. The students will also be able to explore music through technology and start exploring the use of Garage Band and recording devices.

Parent & Me:

Mini Mighty Maestros

📍 Rec Center

📅 Thursdays, Apr. 4–May 23

🕒 10:00–10:30 a.m. (18-24 mos), 10:30-11:00 a.m. (2-4)

⏳ Register by: Apr. 1

🧑‍🦱 Ages: 18-24 months, 2-4

💲 Fee: $160

Students will sing, dance and perform instrumental accompaniments to traditional and modern children’s songs ranging from the music of popular modern hits, to multicultural world music in a variety of languages. Critical listening skills will be taught through exposure to classical and modern orchestral pieces, where students will identify song form, instruments, dynamics and articulation used by composers to create artistic and emotionally impactful pieces. 

Register for Winter Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons University is a child-centered, progressive swim lesson program. Each level teaches a specific set of skills that each child will need to master before moving to the next level:

• Parent & Tot - under age 3
• Swim 101/102/103* - Beginner
• Swim 201/202/203* - Swim Strokes
• Swim 301/302/303* - Advanced Swim Strokes
• Swim 401/402/403* - Lifesaving Swim Strokes
• Adult Swim Lessons - Have you wanted to learn how to swim or to just work on the basics? If so, adult swim lessons are for you! This new program creates a fun environment for adult beginners who want to learn how to swim. Ages: 15+.
• Private Lessons

*Classes ending in 01 = Children ages 3-5; Classes ending in 02 = Children ages 6-8; Classes ending in 03 = Children ages 9-14