Parks & Recreation

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Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Open 24/7 at www.GranbyRec.com for program registration.

Telephone: 860-653-8947

Website: www.GranbyRec.com. Accepting MasterCard/Visa/Discover for payments. Register for programs at any time of the day or night, find out right away if a program still has space available, check your account to see what activities your family members are signed up for, and print out a year end receipt for tax purposes.

Program/Trip Registration: All programs/trips are based on a first come basis and space availability and require advance registration; payment must accompany registration. Please register early to avoid disappointment.

Scholarships: Program scholarship information is available upon request. All inquiries are kept in the strictest confidence; apply early.

Event Planning: Have your next family or other private event at Salmon Brook Park or Holcomb Farm. The SB Park House is a beautiful facility that can accommodate up to 99 people, featuring a gas fireplace and central air conditioning. The North Barn Pavilion at Holcomb Farm is built to look like a barn but this gorgeous new building has all of the modern amenities to make your event for up to 125 people a day to remember. Dates fill fast so call or visit the website for more information.

Summer Employment: The Granby Recreation Dept. has employment opportunities at SBP for concession staff for the spring and summer, lifeguards and day camp counselors for the summer. Get an application at www.Granbyrec.com and apply by March 23.

Summer Camp: Registration is open for all of our summer 2018 programs. Please visit the website for the latest information and online registration including day camp, youth sport and enrichment camps.

Twilight Eggstravaganza

Jack, the Spring Bunny, will be visiting Salmon Brook Park on Thursday, March 29 as local organizations put together an egg-citing evening for children ages 2–11 to participate in egg hunts, face painting, bounce house activities, and get a picture with the Spring Bunny. This event is sponsored by the Granby Recreation Department, Granby Early Childhood Council, and Bounce About of Canton. The event is free. The SBP Concession Stand will be open with burgers, hotdogs, snacks, and drinks for sale throughout the evening. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. An egg hunt for 1–2 year olds is at 6 p.m., an egg hunt for children 3–5 at about 6:45 p.m., and a Flashlight Egg Hunt for children 6–11 after it gets dark, about 7:45 p.m. All children participating in the hunts should bring their own basket or sack to collect the hidden eggs, and those in the Flashlight Egg Hunt will need to bring their own flashlight.

Trips

Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles: Monday, April 16 for the annual Patriot’s Day Game at Fenway Park. This is always a significant home game with the Boston Marathon being run through the city during the game and lots of pre-game holiday pageantry and ceremonies. Seating is in Right Field Box 89 (under the retired numbers). The bus will leave Granby Town Hall at 7:15 a.m. for the 11:05 a.m. start, and we should be home around 4:30 p.m. Limited seats, don’t wait to sign up. Tickets can only be reserved with full payment. $115pp.

Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees: Friday, June 29 as two of baseball’s biggest rivals meet in Yankee Stadium. We expect to have seats in section 233B (straightaway left field, second level) for this 7:05 p.m. game. Bus departs Town Hall at 2:45 p.m. Limited seats, don’t wait to sign up. Tickets can only be reserved with full payment. $125pp.

Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays: Sunday, July 15 as the Red Sox take on their AL East Rivals at Fenway Park. Seating in Right Field Box 87 (under the retired numbers). Bus departs Town Hall at 10:30 a.m. for the 1:35 p.m. start. Limited seats, don’t wait to sign up. Tickets can only be reserved with full payment. $119pp.

Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Monday, Aug. 20, bring your family on an exciting trip to the world famous Bronx Zoo. With award-winning, cutting-edge exhibits featuring over 4,000 animals, there is no other zoo in the world that offers the diversity, superb viewing and world-renowned expertise that assures a rewarding experience and the knowledge that visitors can make a difference in the world around them. Whether you’re nose-to-nose with Western Lowland Gorillas in their famous Congo Gorilla Forest, spotting Snow Leopards in their naturalistic Himalayan Highlands Habitat, or experiencing almost an acre of an indoor Asian rain forest, you’re always within roaring distance of the world’s most amazing wildlife. In the end, you’ll know that your admission fees went to a conservation organization that has more expert researchers in the field than any other. The deluxe motor coach will leave Town Hall at 7 a.m. and leave the Bronx Zoo at 4:30 p.m. The Total Experience Deluxe package includes zoo shuttles, Wild Asia Monorail, Bug Carousel, Children’s Zoo, the new 4-D Theater, and the Congo Gorilla Forest. Cost is $65pp.

NYC On Your Own: These days in the city are on your own to enjoy the Big Apple. See Chinatown, Little Italy, Central Park, a museum, the zoo, a Broadway show or shop—use your imagination. The usual drop off points in the City are The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Plaza Hotel and Rockefeller Center. Pickup is 7 p.m. in front of Stage Coach Tavern, 7th Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets. Trip dates: May 5 and Oct. 6 for $46pp, Dec. 1 for $48pp.

Youth Activities

Indoor Field Hockey League, grades 9–12: March 1–15, 7:30–9:30 p.m. Four teams will be created to play 6v6, modified indoor rules. Each night there will be four 25-minute games, each team is guaranteed two games; maximum 8 players on each team. $55pp, at GMHS.

Preseason Conditioning and Fitness Camp, grades 7–12: March 12–16; 2:30-4:30 p.m. This program is for those looking to get in shape (or help stay in shape) for the start of their spring sport season. This non-sport specific camp is fitness-based and will incorporate drills to enhance endurance, footwork and agility, full body strength training, core based exercises, balance and flexibility. There will be some long and short distance endurance runs as well as aerobic and Pilates classes. Many core strength exercises will be incorporated throughout the work out each day. All levels of fitness are welcome. You will need an exercise mat, water bottle, hand held weights (approx. 5-8 lbs.), and good footwear (cross training and/or running shoes). Sessions held in the Community gym; if weather permits, we will also go outside. Instructor, Terri Ziemnicki, is a National Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Training and Connecticut Certified High School Coach for over 30 years. $80pp, at GMHS.

Super Soccer Saturdays, ages 3–5: Soccer Shots is a high-energy program introducing children to fundamental soccer principles, such as using feet, dribbling and the basic rules of the game. Through fun games, songs and positive reinforcement, children will begin to experience the joy of playing soccer and being active. April 21–May 26 at Ahrens Park. $95pp. 9–9:50 a.m., 10–10:50 a.m., or 11–11:50 a.m.

Afterschool Programs at Kelly Lane, grades K–2

F.A.S.T. Super Sports: 3:20–4:20 p.m. This program offers a variety of sports such as soccer, basketball, flag football and kick ball, and includes proper stretching and warm-up games as well as learning the basic skills of each sport. Each day will end with a high energy game with the sport played that day. $110pp.

Soccer Shots: Wednesdays, April 18–June 6, 3:20–4:20 p.m. Kids learn the fundamentals of soccer while focusing on individual skill, fitness and sportsmanship. Children will be challenged through fun games and team interaction, and introduced to competition in a developmentally appropriate manner. $100pp.

Afterschool Programs at Wells Rd, grades 3–5

F.A.S.T. Super Sports: 3:20–4:20 p.m. This program offers a variety of sports such as soccer, basketball, flag football and kick ball, and includes proper stretching and warm-up games as well as learning the basic skills of each sport. Each day will end with a high energy game with the sport played that day. $110pp.

Kids Yoga and Mindfulness: Wednesdays, April 18–June 6, 3:20–4:20 p.m. Bring your yoga mat or towel and have some fun while learning beginner yoga poses and meditative breath work through age-appropriate instruction. Please dress in comfortable clothing that allows moving freely, and bring a water bottle. $100pp.

All Ages

Combination Safe Boating / Personal Watercraft Course: March 6–9, 6–9 p.m. Upon completing this 8-hour Safe Boating / Personal Watercraft Class and passing the exam (which is given during the last class), the participant will have satisfied the DEEP’s requirements and will be able to apply for their Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO). The cost to apply for the certificate is $50 and is not included in this class fee. A Safe Boating Certificate/Personal Watercraft Class (SBC/CPWO) is required by individuals 10 years of age and older to operate any recreational vessel registered in Connecticut except a personal watercraft (“Jet Ski” type vessel) on Connecticut’s waters. $25pp, at SBP.

WAVE I Women’s Self-Defense Program: Comprehensive program that deals with real life scenarios and situations. The program teaches participants the proper way to deal with threatening and dangerous situations that may arise at any given time of day or night, both inside and outside the home or work. It is a no-frills class that teaches practical techniques that have been proven effective. Techniques will include escape and defense from the many types of attacks a woman may be faced with. Participants will be taught the correct way to use the weapons they possess, i.e. hands, feet, knees, and elbows.
A portion of the class will allow participants to practice in a controlled but realistic setting when they get to defend against an attacker dressed in a fully padded tactical suit that helps protect the attacker as well as the students from injury, but allows the student to use full contact force that helps them realize and feel their full potential of power they possess. Ages 14 and over, Tuesday, March 13, 6:30–8:30 p.m. $25pp, at SBP. Ages 11 to 13, Thursday, March 15, 6:30–8:30 p.m. $20pp, at SBP.

Yoga for All, ages 18 and up: Tuesdays, Feb. 13–March 27, 8:15-9:15 a.m. at Holcomb Farm Workshop. Mixed level yoga class begins with a gentle warm-up, builds to an invigorating flow and ends with deep stretch and peaceful relaxation. Perfect to help gain flexibility, balance and strength. $65pp.

Holcomb Farm Spring Marketplace Event: Sunday, April 29, 12–4 p.m. (Vendors can begin to set up at 9 a.m.) Are you a crafter or a local home business and looking for an opportunity to showcase and sell your items? Sign up and join us for the first Spring Marketplace. This event will give shoppers a way to get a quick jump on their Mother’s Day and Father’s Day shopping and purchase beautiful, one-of-a kind, handmade treasures for gift giving. This event will be held at Holcomb Farm’s North Barn Pavilion.

Spring Cookie Decorating, ages 5 to adult: Sunday, March 25, 1:30–3 p.m. Learn how to beautifully decorate spring-themed cookies with your friends. Decorate sugar cookies shaped like baskets, eggs, butterflies, bunnies and flowers. Includes instruction, cookies, icing and candies/sprinkles. Participants will take home their drying cookies in a bakery box. $27pp, SBP.

April Vacation Camps, April 9–13

Art-Ventures: grades K–5, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. $39/day, at SBP

Monday: Alien Art-vasion Young art-stronauts shoot for the stars in this outer space art-venture. Sculpt wacky aliens with Model Magic clay and build UFOs for them to fly around in. Learn about symmetry while creating alien drawings based on the letters of your name. Then get a little messy concocting glittery galaxy play dough.

Tuesday: Electric Zebras and Neon Tote Bags. Explore pattern and color while painting electrifying zebras on canvases and create wild neon geometric designs on canvas tote bags using a special resist technique and fabric ink. Then make a rainbow mandala with a variety of vibrant embellishments.

Wednesday: Wicked Wild and Wonderful Art. In this totally unique art-venture, use oil pastels to draw hilarious self-portraits while imagining yourselves as Minions (from the movie Minions). Create colorful clay tiles with terrific texture using unexpected tools such as seashells and pasta. Explore the art of decoupage while designing and decorating large paper mache letters.

Thursday: Zany Zoo Animal Art-ventures. Color ceramic bunny banks with special paint markers and design stained glass animals with wiggly eyes. Then create animal clip bookmarks using watercolor paints and draw some surprisingly ferocious fish!

Friday: Boo! Goofy Monsters and Haunted Houses. In this totally awesome and eerie art program, art-venturers construct haunted houses with spider webs, spooky trees, gravestones, creepy crawly creatures, and more. Then paint colorful ceramic monster planters, and sculpt silly clay skeletons.

F.A.S.T. Athletics: 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. for $155pp or 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. for $225pp, at Wells Road.

Super Sports will offer a variety of sports each day such as: soccer, basketball, flag football, dodge ball, and kick ball, and includes proper stretching and warm-up games as well as learning the basic skills of each sport. Each day will end with a high-energy game with the sport played that day. Please remember to have your child wear sneakers, bring a water bottle and snack. Bring a lunch if staying for the full day.

Chess Wizards: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. for $190pp, or 9 a.m.–3 p.m. for $305pp, at Holcomb Farms Workshop.

Join us for tons of challenging chess lessons, exciting games and cool prizes. You’ll improve your chess skills, meet new friends and work out your most powerful muscle—your brain. This camp will include fun team chess games (like bughouse), recess time (of course), snacks, tournaments and puzzles. Each camper receives a Chess Wizards T-Shirt, trophy and puzzle folder.