Parks & Recreation

Print More

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. The online registration system and website allow you to 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 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. Holcomb Farm’s North Barn Pavilion is built to look like a barn but this gorgeous new building has modern amenities to make your event for up to 125 people a day to remember. Dates fill fast so call for more information or visit the web site for pictures and rental info.

Summer Camp

Please visit the website for the latest information and registration for all Summer 2018 programs including youth sport and enrichment camps.

SBP Day Camp: A summer day camp committed to serving your child’s needs. The program fills each day with active games, lots of silliness, special events, sports, arts and crafts, teamwork, crazy contests and we even sprinkle in a little adventure once in a while. Salmon Brook Park has a playground, soccer fields, baseball fields, outdoor basketball hoops, picnic pavilions and tennis courts. Your child will have the opportunity to swim daily in the pond, use our kayaks and paddleboards, go on exciting field trips, and see spectacular entertainers. All children are grouped by age/grade and activities are age-appropriate. Camp is scheduled in one-week sessions to better meet your family’s needs. The camp hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Need to get to work early or extend your child’s time at SBP? Check out the Extended Day Program run by David Olechna, the Mission Adventure Camp Director.

All of our staff is first aid and CPR certified. They are all carefully selected to ensure that your child will have a fun and safe summer at Salmon Brook Park. Sue Olechna, the Camp Director, is an experienced educator and mother of five. Sue treats each camper as a special individual and she is ready to answer your questions all summer long. Campers are asked to bring a lunch, snack and water bottle to camp each day, as well as sunscreen and bug spray. Note: All campers must purchase an individual ($35) or family ($80) membership to Salmon Brook Park in order to register for camp.

Help us better plan for your camper: We love to see as many smiling faces each week as possible, but late sign ups make it difficult for the staff to plan activities, to make sure we have enough supplies for crafts projects and special events, and to adequately plan for tickets and transportation for field trips. Please register your child at least one week before the session starts. Starting this summer there will be a $15 per camper late fee for registrations less than 5 weekdays remaining before the start date. For example, for the session that begins on June 25, the late period begins on Monday, June 18 and the late fee would be charged for registrations received on and after June 18.

Please visit the website for weekly themes, session dates and fees and to register.

Mission: Adventure, a Camp for Teens and Tweens: The area’s most popular day camp for students in grades 6–9. Mission: Adventure will have campers kayaking down the Farmington River, playing paintball with their friends in the setting of a western boomtown, playing underwater Frisbee while wearing a scuba tank on their back and so much more! Each two-week session of camp has at least six off-site field trips to a variety of locations. New this summer, one-week sessions will also be offered. On days where campers will be at the park all day they will be participating in scavenger hunts, team building activities, sports, swimming and more.  Note: All campers must purchase an individual ($35) or family ($80) membership to Salmon Brook Park in order to register for camp.

Season’s Pass to Six-Flags:  Register for two or more full two-week sessions of Mission: Adventure Camp or two or more one-week sessions that have a Six Flags Trip and get a free 2018 Seasons Pass to Six Flags. The pass is for the registered camper only and must be brought to camp on the Six Flags trip days during the child’s camp sessions. Passes are available for pickup in early April.

Please visit the website for field trips, session dates and fees and to register.

Early Summer Programs

Summer Cookie Decorating: Sunday, June 24, 1:30–3 p.m. at SBP. Learn how to decorate adorable summer-themed cookies—think watermelon slices, dragonflies, butterflies, flip flops, flowers, ladybugs, honeycombs, bees, etc. Instruction, cookies, icing and decorating candies/sprinkles will be provided. All participants will take home their drying cookies in a bakery box. $27pp

Build with Me Using LEGO®: Children ages 4 and 5 are accompanied by an adult family member. This program encourages communication and collaboration between children and family/community with an introduction to using LEGO Education early childhood materials. Your child will have the opportunity to work with and bring home evidence-based lab sheets to share with family to continue the learning process outside of camp. June 25–29, 9 –11 a.m. Holcomb Farm Workshop. $125/child

Building Up S.T.E.A.M. Using LEGO®: Children ages 5 and 6 work independently and cooperatively as they begin to explore simple machines using LEGO Education early childhood materials. Your child will have the opportunity to work with and bring home evidence-based lab sheets to share with family to continue the learning process outside of camp. June 25–29, 12–3 p.m. Holcomb Farm Workshop. $150pp

Band Camp: This program consists of specialized music instruction designed to provide students in grades 5–12 with a positive, encouraging musical experience during the summer when they can work in a more relaxed environment than during the school year. The goal of the program is to help students develop musical and technical skills by playing in a band setting. Band Camp is designed for students with at least one year of experience on their instrument and is not for beginners. Students will perform an informal concert on the Friday of each week. There is a band camp materials fee of $10 for the summer (includes t-shirt). Please contact Sarah Warner (warners@granby.k12.ct.us) with any questions. Week 1 is July 9–13. Week 2 is July 16–20. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. $80pp/week.

Performing Arts Camp: This exciting, fun and highly charged program is for ages 6–12. Mornings will consist of exciting acting and dance classes, including creative theater games, concentration exercises, voice and speech work and structured improvisation to improve performance, as well as high energy jazz dance and movement. The afternoons will consist of rehearsals that will culminate with a performance for family and friends on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Program takes place at the East Granby Farms Rec Complex at 76 North Main Street in East Granby. Please pack a lunch and a snack. July 2, 3, 5 and 6 (no July 4), 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. $196pp.

Splish Splash Art Blast: This inspiring week of art-ventures for ages 5–12 sparks creativity, engagement, exploration and individual expression. Learn about the fascinating underwater world of seahorses, sea turtles and other wonderful creatures while exploring original art forms and techniques. Design beach hats, sunglasses, and t-shirts. Discover the art of mosaics while creating seashell boxes. Sculpt shimmery coral and goofy clay octopuses. Paint ceramic fish banks, and design ocean creature stuffed animals. Experience painting, printmaking, stained glass, ceramics, collage, mosaics, fabric art and working with clay. Lots of surprises round out these totally cool Splish Splash art-ventures. Bring an oversized old t-shirt to use as a smock, a nut-free snack and a drink each day. July 9–13, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., Holcomb Farm Workshop. $165pp

Chris Corkum Baseball Camp: The Chris Corkum Baseball Program for ages 7–12 is geared to emphasize skill development. The children are carefully guided through selected skill activities and drills culminating in team play. Each child’s strengths and weaknesses are evaluated so growth is an on-going process. Lecture and demonstrations by qualified instructors enhance this process to its fullest. Videotaping is used where appropriate. Program includes: individual and small group instruction in fielding, throwing, hitting, pitching, base running, physical conditioning and game strategy, with discussion of rules and regulations. June 25–28, 8 a.m.–12 p.m., Salmon Brook Park. $135pp

Bears Girls Basketball Camp: Cedar Crest College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kristin Karat and her staff lead this popular instructional camp for girls in grades 1–9. This camp will concentrate on fundamentals and individual and team development as well as help foster self-confidence in a fun atmosphere. Curriculum includes conditioning, drills, stations, plus team and individual competitions that will help players improve their ball handling, shooting, defense and rebounding. Participants should wear appropriate gym clothes and sneakers and bring a ball and a water bottle. All campers will receive a camp t-shirt. June 25–29, 8:30–11:30 a.m. GMHS. $120pp

Bears Boys Basketball Camp: Head Coach Wally Hansen led his team to the 2013 Class S State Championship. Now he and his staff of varsity basketball players are ready to help boys in grades 1–4  learn what it takes to be successful on the court. This camp will concentrate on fundamentals and individual and team development as well as foster self-confidence in a fun atmosphere. Conditioning, drills, stations, team and individual competitions will stress the fundamentals of ball handling, shooting, defense and rebounding. Awards ceremony at last session will recognize contest and championship winners. All campers will receive a t-shirt. July 9–12, 8–11 a.m. GMHS. $120pp

Summer Youth Tennis: Granby Rec’s youth tennis lessons are geared to the beginner and intermediate youth player. Youth tennis lessons are instructed by Kevin Imbt, GMHS Tennis team Coach. Participants should bring an appropriately sized racquet, lots of water, towel and sneakers. Lessons are held Monday through Thursday, with Friday used to make up lessons cancelled due to heavy rain, etc. Lessons are held at the SBP Tennis Courts. Visit website for dates, times and fees.

Skyhawks Sports Camps

Mini Hawks Camp: This multi-sport program was developed to give children ages 4–7 a positive first step into athletics. The essentials of baseball, basketball and soccer are taught in a safe, structured environment with lots of encouragement and a big focus on fun. Our Mini-Hawk games and activities were designed to allow campers to explore balance, movement, hand/eye coordination, and skill development at their own pace. Skyhawks staff are trained to handle the specific needs of young athletes. Session 1 is June 25–29, Session 2 is July 23–27. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Ahrens Park. $125pp/session

Tiny Hawks Camp: The essentials of soccer and basketball are introduced in a fun and safe environment with lots of encouragement. Children ages 3 and 4 will learn balance, body movement, hand/eye coordination, and skill development through a series of sport-specific games tailored to their attention spans. Staff members are trained to handle the specific needs of these young athletes. Session 1 is June 25–29, Session 2 is July 23–27. 12:15–1 p.m. Ahrens Park. $75pp/session

Flag Football Camp: Skyhawks Flag Football is the perfect program for athletes ages 7–12 who want a complete introduction to America’s Game or for those who simply want to brush up on their skills in preparation for league play. Through our skill of the day activities, campers will learn skills on both sides of the ball including the core components of passing, catching, and de-flagging or defensive positioning – all presented in a fun and positive environment. Skyhawks Flag Football is recommended for beginning to intermediate athletes. The week ends with the Skyhawks Super Bowl, giving participants a chance to showcase their skills on the gridiron! Included with fee is t-shirt, football and player evaluation. July 16–19, 6–8 p.m. Ahrens Park. $89pp

Trips

Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles: Join us on Thursday, May 17 for this makeup game at Boston’s Fenway Park, rescheduled from April 16. Seating is in Right Field Box 89 (under the retired numbers). The bus will leave Granby Town Hall at 3 p.m. (for 7:10 p.m. game start) and we should be home around midnight. Seats are limited, don’t delay. Tickets can only be reserved with full payment. $115pp.

Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees: Join us on Friday, June 29, as two of baseball 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. Departure is 2:45 p.m. from the Granby Town Hall. Seats are limited, don’t delay. Tickets can only be reserved with full payment. Cost is $125pp.

Bronx Zoo: On Monday, Aug. 20, you and your family can enjoy an exciting trip to the world famous Bronx Zoo with its 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 Granby 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. $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. The usual drop off points are The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Plaza Hotel and Rockefeller Center. Pick up is 7 p.m. in front of Stage Coach Tavern, 7th Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets. Saturday, May 5 or Saturday, Oct. 6 for $46pp. Saturday, Dec. 1 for $48pp.