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 for more information and to register for all programs.
Preschool Programs
Granby Nature Preschool: This farm and nature preschool for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds is based at Holcomb Farm in West Granby. Offering a 5-day program for morning, afternoon or full day, except Fridays which are half day, with visits to or visitors from local farms and nature trails. Some part of every day is spent outdoors except in extreme weather. Offers rolling enrollment for new students including children who turn 3 after school begins.
Jumpbunch Little Jumpers (18 months to 3 years): Fridays, 9:30–10 a.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. Classes open and close with obstacle courses and creatively scripted songs using ribbon wands, stretch bands, scarves, rhythm sticks, bubbles and maracas and feature a different sport or fitness activity each week. Please have your child wear athletic clothes, sneakers and bring a water bottle. Caregiver must remain with their child.
Youth Programs
Basketball, grades K–8: Both local play and travel teams available. See website for details and to register.
Soccer: Recreational and travel soccer league registration is open. See website for details and to register.
SafeSitter Babysitting Class, grades 6–8: Saturday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. Designed to prepare students to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The instructor-led class is filled with fun games, role-playing exercises and practice of rescue skills like choking rescue and CPR. 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, ages 5–16: Tuesdays, 5–6 p.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. Learn traditional and contemporary Irish Step Dancing, ceili dancing, and group figures. Classes are taught by Jack McArdle T.C.R.G. who has over 35 years of experience. Please wear comfortable street shoes that tie and street clothes allowing feet and knees to be seen.
After School Programs
After School Childcare at Kelly and Wells: Monday–Friday, 3:30–5:30 p.m. 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. The program director is Melissa Young, current media teaching assistant at Kelly Lane School.
After School Art Class at Wells Road: Mondays, thru Nov. 20, 3:20–4:20 p.m. Each week, kids will learn about a different artist or type of art and use that as inspiration for their own artworks. All supplies are included.
After School Fall Field Hockey Clinic at Wells Road: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:40–4:40 p.m. Develop fundamental skills with drills and scrimmages designed to teach stick handling, passing, receiving, dribbling and basic game play. Coached by Mrs. Laflamme. Held outside, but will go in the gym for inclement weather.
After School Fit and Fun Running Club at Wells Road: Tuesdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m. This is a chance for any 3rd–5th graders to 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 school and/or inside in the gym.
Food Explorers, Fall Desserts at Wells Road: Tuesdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Each week make a new recipe focused on fall flavors and ingredients. All recipes are nut free.
After School Mondays PE Games with Mr. Migneault: Mondays, 3:40–4:40 p.m. at Wells Road. Students will be active and have fun participating in the games and activities you would find in a Wells Road PE Class.
After School Tchouk Ball with Mr. Migneault: Thursdays, 3:40–4:40 p.m. at Wells Road. Tchouk Ball is a fast paced, moving and passing game with teams and two rebound nets. Teams of 6-8 players try and 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, 3:30–4:30 p.m. at Kelly Lane. Students will be active and have fun participating in such PE activities as capture the flag, climbing wall, tag games, floor hockey, kickball and basketball. All equipment will be provided. Child needs to bring own water bottle. Please wear sneakers and comfortable clothes to play in.
After School Tuesdays Rock Wall Program with Mr. Norton: Tuesdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m. at Kelly Lane. The essential skills, techniques, and important safety information will be taught. Students will learn various ways to climb a rock wall while improving their muscular strength, endurance and balance.
After School Mad Science: Wednesdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m. at Kelly Lane and Thursdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m. at Wells Road. Learn about the tools scientists use in their laboratories, as well as atoms, molecules and reactions, acids and bases, fluorescence and phosphorescence. Continue the science at home with fun labware take-homes and experiments.
After School Art-ventures for Kids: Fridays, Oct. 20–Jan 5, 3:30–4:30 p.m. at Kelly Lane. Children take 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. But don’t just admire these great works- decorate your home with masterpieces of your own!
Spread Your Wings and Roar ART-ventures: Wednesdays, Oct. 18–Dec. 20 at 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Wells Road. This art-rageous program is truly like a trip to the zoo. Art-explorers experience painting, drawing, sculpting, fabric design, decoupage, collage, and more, bringing home exciting handmade souvenirs each week.
Food Explorers, Brunch Club and Holiday Desserts (Grades 3-6): Thursdays, Oct. 26–Nov. 16, 4–6 p.m. at Holcomb Farm. Each week children will create a recipe from our new Brunch Club menu along with a holiday-themed dessert recipe. This class will provide dinner and a snack. All recipes are nut free but do contain eggs and/or dairy.
Adult Programs
Basketball, Fall Adult Rec Program: Tuesdays and Thursdays, thru Dec. 21, 7–9 p.m. at the high school community gym. Granby residents can pay $75 for the entire session (includes both nights) or pay a $5 drop-in fee per night. Non-residents drop-in fee is $10 per night.
Pickleball: Adult Evenings Beginner/Intermediate Program: Instructor Kim Chamberlain will teach all of the skills and game rules during a 6-week program, and set up games each week with rotating partners. Paddles and balls are provided, but you can also bring your own equipment. Please bring your own water bottle. See website for dates and times.
Pawsitive Steps Dog Training: Beginner classes on Thursdays, Intermediate classes on Mondays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Gathering Room at Salmon Brook Park. Join certified dog trainer Kim Michalewicz for this introductory 7-week course to learn how to effectively communicate with your best friend. Open to all dogs. Please contact Kim with any questions, 860-614-6625 or kim_michalewicz@hotmail.com
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. Please bring your weights, exercise mat and water bottle.
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 to fun and motivating music. Balance and stretching exercises are incorporated in each workout. Please bring your weights, exercise mat and water bottle.
Special Events
Howl-O-Ween Dog Festival: Oct. 7 and 8, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Salmon Brook Park. Food trucks, crafters, vendors, music, dog contests, kid’s activities and trick-or-treating.
Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Party: Oct. 29, 1:30–3 p.m. at Salmon Brook Park. Free entry. Please pre-register your trunk.