Director of Recreation and Leisure Services: Kristine Vincent, CPRP
Recreation Supervisor: Daphne Shinder
Program Supervisor: Terri Ziemnicki
Telephone: 860-653-8947
Website: GranbyRec.com Open 24/7 for program registration
Salmon Brook Park Day Camp and Mission Adventure
Register by May 1 and save $10/child/week.
A summer day camp program for ages 6–14, committed to serving your child’s needs. This traditional day camp fills each day with active games, special events, sports, arts and crafts, teamwork, group interaction and the wonders of nature. Salmon Brook Park has a playground, soccer fields, baseball fields, outdoor basketball hoops and picnic pavilions, and tennis courts. Your child will have the opportunity to swim in Salmon Brook Park Pond, plus exciting special events, and see spectacular entertainers. All children are grouped by age/grade and all activities are age-appropriate.
Many new summer programs have been added so visit the website for a complete listing—with more to come.
Children’s Programs
April Vacation Granby Bears Youth Basketball Clinic
Monday, April 12–Wednesday, April 14, at Salmon Brook Park. Grade K-4 is 9–11 a.m. Grade 5-8 is 12–2 p.m. Led by Granby Memorial girls’ varsity basketball coach, Mike D’Angelo. This co-ed skills clinic will work with the kids on ball handling, passing, shooting and incorporate skills games. It is a great way to spend time with friends during spring break and get some outdoor exercise. Each participant should bring their own basketball and water bottle. All state COVID guidelines will be followed so please bring a mask. Fee: $40
April Vacation Modeling and Fashion Camp with Photo Shoot
Monday, April 12–Friday, April 16, 9 a.m. –12 p.m., at Holcomb Farm North Barn Pavilion. John Casablancas Modeling and Fashion Camp provides girls and boys ages 5–11 years with a wonderful experience of learning the tips of looking like a model, developing their etiquette skills for a setting, feeling good about themselves by strengthening their confidence inside and out and tapping into their fashion talents. Each day consists of fun filled activities: Makeover Monday (hair and makeup application), T Shirt Design Tuesday (campers design and model their own t shirts), Wanna Be Famous Wednesday (red carpet speaking exercises), Time to Say Cheese Thursday (photos with our professional photographer). Campers will do their hair and make up for their Fashion Show for the families to enjoy their accomplishments on Fashion Show Friday. Fee: $152
April Vacation Kids Craft Days with Miss Deb
Monday, April 12–Friday, April 16, 1–3 p.m., at Salmon Brook Park. Come join us for some crafting fun—register for one, two, three, four or all five days! Each day features a different craft: Whip up a Whimsical Windsock, Dream up a Dream Catcher, Tie up a Fun Lap Tie Pillow, Wacky Weft/Weave, For the Birds Birdfeeder and Granby Rocks. All materials will be provided. Masks will be worn at all times and social distancing guidelines will be followed. Fee: $25 per day or $118 for the week
Home Alone Safety for Kids
Friday, April 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Salmon Brook Park Gathering Room. Home Alone Safety for Kids is a class for boys and girls ages 8–13 who may be left home alone. This interactive two-hour course will cover safety concerns parents have when their children are by themselves. Students will learn to be more aware of the potential dangers that they could face when they are alone. Each student will receive a workbook that covers house key safety, indoor and outdoor (including kitchen) safety, gun safety, fires and gas leaks. We will also review first aid kit essentials and phone, door and internet safety. The class size is limited to 12 students to allow optimal opportunities for participation, so be sure to register early. Fee: $40
After School Fit and Fun Running Club
Tuesdays, April 20–May 25, 4–5 p.m., at Salmon Brook Park. This after school fitness and running program is a chance for any third–fifth graders to be active, improve their fitness and learn the basics of running. This popular club has been running for the past two years and the kids have such a fun time! Now with COVID having everyone cooped up indoors, here is a great opportunity to have your child be outside with their friends. Through games, drills and other activities, your child will be prepared to finish their first race or take steps towards improving their running ability. Students will be introduced to the basics of running with Coach Rob Lowe, a seasoned coach who will design a fun and engaging program to teach your child to love being active. The program cost includes a t-shirt. Please make sure your child is prepared to run outdoors (including proper clothing, shoes and a water bottle). Fee: $80
Soccer Shots
April Vacation Soccer Shots Free Fun Day: Grades 2–5, Wednesday, April 14, 5–6 p.m. It’s an Open House! Come have fun with Soccer Shots and meet our coaches and team. The perfect way to check out Soccer Shots even if you have not enrolled in the spring season starting April 21. All are welcome, we’ll score some goals, play fun games, and just have fun. This is free, but you must register your child. Equipment is provided.
After School Program: Grades K–5, Tuesdays, April 20–June 8, 3:30-4:30 p.m. This is the soccer program we usually run after school at Kelly Lane and Wells Road Schools; however, we will be holding these programs at Salmon Brook Park this spring. Kids in grades K-2 will be in one group and grades 3-5 will be in another group. Register by grade. Kids will learn the fundamentals of soccer while focusing on individual skill, fitness and sportsmanship. Children will be challenged through fun games and team interaction. Children will also be introduced to competition in a developmentally appropriate manner. Please have your child wear sneakers or cleats and bring a water bottle. Due to the pandemic, each child needs to also bring their own ball size 3 (grades K-2) and size 4 (grades 3-5). Fee: $115
Super Soccer Shots Classic Program: Ages 3 and 4, Sundays, April 18–May 23, 9, 10 or 11 a.m., at Salmon Brook Park and Ahrens Park. Soccer Shots Classic is designed for 3 and 4 year-old children as an introduction to soccer, utilizing creative and imaginative games to focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. We also highlight a positive character trait each session such as respect, teamwork and appreciation. All COVID guidelines will be followed. Masks are to be worn. Fee: $100
Adult Programs
Gentle Yoga Flow with Rachel Little
Drop In on Saturdays, 10–11 a.m., or Wednesdays 6–7 p.m. A yoga practice in the park appropriate for all levels of experience. A yoga experience incorporating breath, balance, flexibility, focus and fun. Rachel will lead the group through movements and yoga postures both standing and down on the mat that build strength, balance and mobility, while encouraging relaxation and release. Bring a yoga mat, blanket/towel and water. Optional items: yoga blocks and strap. All fitness levels welcome. Come be a part of this fun class and great workout. Due to state health guidelines during the pandemic, the class limit is 10 people and social distancing will be in place. Held at the Salmon Brook Park Gathering Room. Fee: $15 per class
Yoga for Strength with Laura Fetzer/Seger
Drop in on Mondays, 8–9 a.m. Develop strength and flexibility with this more challenging dynamic flow, integrating movement and breath with sun salutations, twists, back bends and core strengthening with an emphasis on proper alignment. Combine this with the cultivation of inner peace and the mindfulness of breath awareness. A complete practice for sure. Modifications always offered. Listening to your body always encouraged. Held at the Salmon Brook Park Gathering Room. Fee: $15 per class
Mixed Level Spanish Class for Adults
Tuesdays, April 6–May 25, 4–5 p.m., at Salmon Brook Park Gathering Room. You will be able to progress from a beginner level: knowing a few words and phrases, to then be able to hold a basic survival situation type conversation (ordering food, asking for bus information, getting a hotel room price, etc.) Next, reaching a beginner mid-level: knowing how to introduce yourself and ask and answer questions (“What is your name?”, “How are you?”, “Where are you from?”). You will then be ready to handle more detailed situations such as ordering a meal, getting and asking for directions. Lastly, to an advanced beginner level: knowing how to have a basic conversation, such as making hotel reservations, and understand what is said if it is said slowly and repeated a few times. This is a combined beginner-intermediate class—those new to speaking Spanish are welcome. Learn the cultures, custom and traditions of the Spanish speaking world. Fee: $110
Pawsitive Steps Dog Training
Beginners Class
Mondays, April 26–June 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Salmon Brook Park Gathering Room. Join well-known certified dog trainer Kim Michalewicz for this great introductory seven-week course to learn how to effectively communicate with your best friend. Learn to socialize your dogs to a variety of situations. Learn about normal canine behavior and how-to problem solve to help your dog fit into our human world. Appropriate household behavior, handler attention, basic obedience and coming when called will be covered. Fee: $170
Pawsitive Steps Dog Training
Intermediate Classes
Sundays, April 11–May 23, 4–5 p.m., at Salmon Brook Park Gathering Room. This seven-week course is open to puppies and dogs that know the basic obedience commands like sit, down, touch, come and walking nicely on leash. This class is geared to take your dog to the next level of training. You will take the behaviors your dog knows and work on them using a variety of distractions, increased distance and duration. We will slowly increase the criteria each dog is able to succeed at. We will also be working on getting your dogs to work for us without a treat on our bodies. There will also be some games incorporated into the class that use the basic skills your dog knows. Prerequisite: Dogs and puppies must have a solid knowledge of the basic skills such as sit, down, walking nicely on a leash and recall. Fee: $170
Plan your Party or Special Event
Have your next family or other private event at Salmon Brook Park or the Holcomb Farm. The Salmon Brook Park House is a beautiful facility that can accommodate up to 99 people, featuring a gas fireplace and central air. The North Barn Pavilion at the 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. Call to get more information or visit GranbyRec.com for pictures and rental info.