BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department offers the following programs this fall. If more information is needed, or if any special needs are required, call 802-254-5808, or stop by the Recreation & Parks Department office at the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St.
Baton twirling classes
• Baton twirling classes will be held at the Gibson-Aiken Center on Thursdays, beginning on Oct. 20, for eight weeks, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost of the eightweek program is $55 for residents and $70 for non-residents.
Baton twirling is great for improving hand-eye coordination, self confidence, rhythm, teamwork and ambidexterity. Classes are open to girls and boys ages 3 and up. All students are invited to participate in performances such as local parades and shows. Class instructors are Lynda Lawrence, who is the director of the Brattleboro Area Baton Twirlers, and assistant instructor Alison Cornellier.
Open Gym and Game Room
• The Open Gym and Game Room will begin Oct. 17 and last through April 28, 2012. The weekly schedule is as follows: Monday: 3-5 p.m. for grades K-6, Tuesday: 2:45-5 p.m. for grades 7-12, Wednesday: 3-5 p.m. for grades K-6, Thursday: 2:45-5 p.m. for grades 7-12, Friday: 3-5 p.m. for grades K-6, Saturday: 1-4 p.m. for grades 7-12 and adults. When there is no school, Open Gym is from 1:30-5 p.m. for all ages.
This is a free, supervised program and a great way to spend time after school. Come and play with your children, or leave them in the care of the Recreation & Parks staff. The gym is closed Sundays and some holidays.
Open Gym is for recreation basketball, so sneakers must be worn on the gym floor. The Game Room is open for bumper pool, foosball, ping pong, and air hockey. Other activities during Open Gym include a homework and snack area, arts and crafts, board games, Chess, Legos, and books.
Fitness bootcamp
• Another session of Brattleboro Bootcamp begins on Oct. 17. Brattleboro Bootcamp is a community-based, high energy workout and wellness program that specializes in rapid fat loss, muscle toning, sports improvement, stress management, and a food plan for life.
All fitness levels are welcome. Each training will be taught by local fitness expert Trisha Selbach, CPT. Fitbody online nutrition/ coaching with Lisa Dumont, BSc. CPT.
The program will be offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:15-7:15 a.m. at the Gibson-Aiken Center for ages 17 and up. This session will go for 13 weeks. The cost is $297 for residents (unlimited sessions) and $317 for non-residents. A drop-in session costs $15.
Chess Club
• The Chess Club will meet in the Gibson-Aiken Center Senior Center on Wednesdays, from 6-9 p.m., beginning Oct. 19, and going until April 18, 2012.
This program is for ages 16 and up. The cost is $1 per person per night. Game boards will be provided.
Kung Fu
• Running Fist Kung Class begins Oct. 17. The program is being held at the Gibson-Aiken Center in the Blue Room on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. You may register at any time and join the class.
Sifu Lew Henderson, the instructor, has studied martial arts for 37 years, and is also a Charter Member of the American Federation of Martial Arts.
Running Fist Kung Fu is an eclectic style of Kung Fu that is taught through a series of concepts rather than a technical approach of martial arts. This approach ensures that the student can easily adapt to the variables of a given situation. The goal is to help the student develop spiritually, mentally, and physically so that he or she can readily adapt to many challenges of everyday life.
The classes are run as month-to-month lessons and are $85 per month for residents and $105 for non-residents. Classes run through the end of April 2012. For information and registration, contact Henderson at 802-365-4514 or [email protected].
Tai Chi
ChiMotion & T'ai Chi Ch'uan begins Tuesday, Oct. 18. ChiMotiton is an exercise routine based on the core body mechanics, energies and movements of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong. It's an easy, fun way to learn how to move and breathe in a natural, healthy manner while improving balance without having to learn a set of forms.
The T'ai Chi Ch'uan course begins with basic opening and stretching exercises (Qi Gong) necessary to obtain full benefit of T'ai Chi Ch'uan practice. From the preparatory exercises the class moves into the study of the Yang style long form of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. The class includes correct body alignments, balanced movements and martial applications of the forms.
ChiMotion will be offered Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m., while T'ai Chi Ch'uan will be offered Tuesdays from 6:45-7:45 p.m. Both classes take place at the Gibson-Aiken Center. The cost of each program is assessed monthly: $60.00 for residents and $80.00 for non-residents.
The instuctor, Joey Carroll, has been studying T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong for over 20 years. For more information, contact Carroll at 802-380-9170.
Adult co-ed volleyball
• Adult co-ed volleyball will be offered on Thursday evenings at the Gibson-Aiken Center, second floor gym, from 6 to 8 p.m. Mike White will provide instruction for the eight-week program. This session will begin on Oct. 20 and run Dec. 15. The cost of the session is $20 for Brattleboro residents and $40 for non-residents.
White will give guidance and instruction throughout the length of the program. The program is for all levels of players who want to gain knowledge, experience and improve on their game. Sneakers must be worn in order to participate.