Kristine Vincent, CPRP, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services
Daphne Shinder, Recreation Supervisor
Terri Ziemnicki, Recreation Supervisor
Jamie Savva, Special Events Coordinator
Telephone: 860-653-8947
Website: GranbyRec.com
Preschool Programs
Granby Nature Preschool at the Holcomb Farm: Granby Nature Preschool is a farm and nature preschool for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds based at Holcomb Farm in West Granby. We are a five-day program with visits or visitors to/from local farms and nature trails. Rolling enrollment for new students including children who turn 3 after school begins. New students will start at the first of every month. We will pro-rate on a monthly basis. For questions, please contact Director Amanda Hochschartner, M.Ed at info@granbynaturepreschool.com Register at GranbyRec.com
Jumpbunch “Little Jumpers”: Fridays, Sept. 22–Oct. 27, 9:30–10 a.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. These classes, for ages 18 months to 3 years, are 30 minutes of structured fun. Classes open and close with obstacle courses and creatively scripted songs using ribbon wands, stretch bands, scarves, rhythm sticks, bubbles and maracas. After our opening activities classes feature a different sport or fitness activity each week. Sports may include lacrosse, paddle sports, field hockey, t-ball, basketball, soccer, football, track and field, golf, etc. Please have your child wear athletic clothes, sneakers and bring a water bottle. Caregiver must remain with their child.
Youth Programs
SafeSitter Babysitting Class: Saturday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. This class is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Please bring a lunch; refrigeration is available. This class does not include a certificate for CPR, but CPR will be taught.
McArdle School of Irish Dance: Tuesdays, Sept. 19–Nov. 14, 5–6 p.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. Exciting new program for ages 5–16! Come learn traditional and contemporary Irish step dancing, ceili dancing and group figures. Irish dance is lively, quick and very fun. Classes are taught by Jack McArdle T.C.R.G. Please wear comfortable street shoes that tie and street clothes allowing feet and knees to be seen.
Fall Sports
Fall Youth Soccer: Register now for the recreational fall soccer league. The league’s primary objective is for the players to develop skills, learn good sportsmanship and above all, have fun.
Soccer Shots Mini-Toddlers: Sundays, Sept. 10–Oct. 29, 8:15–8:45 a.m. at Salmon Brook Park. Designed for 2-year-olds, this high-energy weekly program introduces young children to fundamental soccer principles such as using your feet, dribbling and the basic rules of the game. No equipment is necessary. This program runs for 7 weeks.
Super Soccer Shots Classic Program: Sundays, Sept. 10–Oct. 29, 9–9:45 a.m. or 10–10:45 a.m. at Salmon Brook Park. The program is designed for children age 3–5 as an introduction to soccer. Soccer Shots Classic utilizes creative and imaginative games to focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. Soccer balls are provided during this 7-week program.
MPower Youth Sports: Wednesdays, Sept. 13–Oct. 25, 5–6 p.m. at Salmon Brook Park, near the band shell. The MPower Youth Running Festival 5K is on Nov. 12—MPower Youth Running, for ages 6–14, will prepare them for it. Modeled after popular Couch-to-5K plans, MPower’s training program is designed for all levels of runners: from beginners to experienced racers. Race registration is not included in the program fee. All participants must complete a waiver and bring to the first class.
After School Programs
After School Childcare at Kelly and Wells: Monday through Friday, 3:30–5:30 p.m. Granby Parks and Recreation offers after school care to be held at Kelly Lane School for children in grades K-5. Kelly Lane students will be dismissed from their classrooms after school and brought directly to the cafeteria and Wells Road students will be bussed over to Kelly Lane School. The director of the program is Melissa Young, current Media Teaching Assistant at Kelly Lane School. During the two hours of after care, your child will be kept busy with many fun games, crafts and gym time.
After School Art Class at Wells Road: Mondays, Sept. 18–Nov. 20, 3:20–4:20 p.m. Join Wells Road art teacher Mrs. Lankford for eight weeks of creating and building with clay, paint, printmaking, fiber arts and more. Students will continue to build on the drawing, painting and sculpting skills they have from art class during the school day. All supplies are included. The class will be held in Room 26 (Art Room) at Wells Rd School.
After School Fall Field Hockey Clinic: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 26–Oct. 19, 3:40-4:40 p.m. Join the fun while learning the game of field hockey. No experience necessary. Develop fundamental skills with drills and scrimmages designed to teach stick handling, passing, receiving, dribbling and basic game play. The program will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, and coached by Mrs. Laflamme. This program will be held outside at Wells Road School but will go in the gym if there is inclement weather.
After School Fit and Fun Running Club: Tuesdays, Sept. 19–Nov. 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m. This 8-week fitness and running program is a chance for any 3rd, 4th and 5th graders to be active, improve their fitness and learn the basics of running. Please make sure your child is prepared to run outdoors wearing proper clothing, sneakers and has a water bottle. This program will be held outside on the grounds of the Wells Road School and/or inside in the gym.
Food Explorers: Fall Desserts: Tuesdays, Sept. 26–Nov. 17, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Join Food Explorers at Wells Road School for some delicious fall desserts. All recipes are nut free.
After School Mondays PE Games with Mr. Migneault: Mondays, Sept. 18–Nov. 20, 3:40–4:40 p.m. Students will be active and have fun participating in the PE activities you would find in a Wells Road PE Class. This program runs for 8 weeks.
After School Tchouk Ball with Mr. Migneault @ Wells Rd: Thursdays, Sept. 21–Nov. 9, 3:40–4:40 p.m. Teams of 6-8 players try to move the ball close to the net and score points by bouncing the ball off the net so it hits the ground.
After School Mondays PE Games with Mr. Norton: Mondays, Sept. 18–Nov. 20, 3:30–4:30 p.m. PE activities and many other fun games will promote the development of individual skills while instilling team work and confidence. All equipment will be provided. Child needs to bring their own water bottle. and please wear sneakers and comfortable clothes to play in. This program runs after school at Kelly Lane for 8 weeks.
After School Tuesdays Rock Wall Program with Mr. Norton: Tuesdays, Sept. 19–Nov. 14, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Essential skills, techniques and important safety information will be taught during this program at Kelly Lane. All of these challenges and skills will be presented in a fun and positive environment.
After School Mad Science: Kelly Lane: Wednesdays, Oct. 18–Dec. 20, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Wells Road: Thursdays, Oct. 19–Dec. 21, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Theme: Crazy Chemworks. Learn about the tools scientists use in their laboratories, as well as atoms, molecules and reactions, acids and bases, fluorescence and phosphorescence.
After School Art-ventures for Kids @ Kelly Lane: Fridays, Oct. 20–Jan. 5, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Just for Fun Art-ventures lead children on an imaginary tour through the world’s greatest art museums, inspiring creativity through exposure to the FUN-damentals of artist’s tools, techniques, and art forms, many inspired by the masters.
Spread Your Wings and Roar ART-ventures @ Wells Road School: Wednesdays, Oct. 18–Dec. 20, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Design stuffed Teddy bears, create owl paintings on canvas and sculpt clay peacocks with zany feathers. We’ll also pop into the zoo food court and visit the photo booth. Art-explorers experience painting, drawing, sculpting, fabric design, decoupage, collage and more.
Food Explorers: Brunch Club and Holiday Desserts: Thursdays, Oct. 26–Nov. 16, 4–6 p.m. at Holcomb Farm. Each week children in grades 3–6 will create a recipe from our new Brunch Club menu along with a holiday-themed dessert recipe. That means two recipes each class!
Adult Programs
Wiffleball Adult Program: Sundays, Sept. 10–Oct. 22, 3–5 p.m. at Salmon Brook Park. Wiffleball is a variation of the sport of baseball and a popular backyard game. Granby Recreation is offering this new program for the fall to anyone 18 years and older. Equipment will be provided; just bring your energy.
Basketball Fall Adult Rec Program: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 19–Dec. 21, 7–9 p.m. at the high school community gym. Granby residents have two options to pay: $75 for the entire session (includes both nights) or pay a $5 drop-in fee per night. Non-resident drop-in fee will be $10 per night.
Pickleball: Adult Evenings Beginner/Intermediate Program with Kim: Days and times vary, visit GranbyRec.com for more information. This program is for anyone new to this fun sport and/or who has played but is really looking to fine tune their skills. Paddles and balls are provided, but you can also bring your own equipment. Please bring your own water bottle.
Pawsitive Steps Dog Training Beginner and Intermediate Classes: Beginner Classes: Thursdays, Sept. 7–Nov. 2, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. Intermediate Classes: Mondays, Sept. 11–Oct. 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. Join well-known certified dog trainer Kim Michalewicz to learn how to effectively communicate with your best friend. Time will be spent learning to socialize your dogs to a variety of situations. Open to all dogs. There is no prerequisite for this class. Please contact Kim with any questions. 860-614-6625 or kim_michalewicz@hotmail.com
Scrapbooking Fall Weekend/Crafting Event: Friday, Sept. 29, 1–9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. at Holcomb Farm North Barn Pavilion. If you sign up for both days you save $5, the cost is $60 and you may leave your supplies set up overnight in our secure facility. Please feel free to bring your own food and beverage. You may contact Cheryl Bliss at blister123@cox.net if you have any questions. She will also have demonstrations and crafting items for sale.
TAZ Fitness Challenge: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8–8:55 a.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. Join Terri Ziemnicki for this high energy, low impact fitness class which includes a full body cardiovascular, interval and strength training workout. All fitness levels welcome. Please bring your weights, exercise mat and water bottle. Session is 16 classes for only $30.
TAZ Low Impact Fitness Class: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9–9:55 a.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. Join Terri Ziemnicki for this easy-to-follow low impact class including cardiovascular and strength training exercises set to fun and motivating music. Balance and stretching exercises are incorporated in each workout. Please bring your weights, exercise mat and water bottle. Session is 16 classes for only $30.