BRATTLEBORO — BRATTLEBORO- The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department will offer the following programs in March and April. To register, or to learn more about the offerings, call the Recreation & Parks Office at 802-254-5808, weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 5 p.m., or visit www.brattleboro.org.
Chess class
There will be a chess class on Fridays from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St.
The class is for children in grades 1 through 6. Classes begin on March 4 and will run for eight weeks, ending on April. The cost of the eight-week program will be $25 for Brattleboro residents and $40 for non-residents.
The instructor is Eric Strickland, who will introduce basic principles of chess to participants, along with simple strategies and tactics.
Zumba for kids and adults
Zumba classes for adults 18 and up will be offered on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Wednesdays from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., at the Gibson-Aiken Center. Participants may register for one or both classes. Mary Lovett will instruct the program, which runs for eight weeks and goes from March 7 through April 27.
The cost of the session will be $75 for once a week and $125 for twice a week for Brattleboro residents and $95 for once a week or $145 for twice a week for all non-residents. Drop in fees will be $15 per visit.
Zumba is a Latin-infused cardio experience and no skills or dance experience is needed. This fun workout targets the core while sweating away the pounds.
The youth version of Zumba, “Zumbatonics,” for children ages 7 and up called will be held on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Red Room at the Gibson-Aiken Center.
The cost of Zumbatonics will be $50 for Brattleboro residents and $65 for non-residents. Jennifer Moyse, of Motion Works, will instruct the classes, which begin on Thursday, March 3 and will run through April 14.
Payment in full must be made at the time of registration in order to hold your spot for both classes.
Co-ed badminton
An adult co-ed badminton program will be offered in the Gibson-Aiken Center, second floor gym, on Thursdays from 8–10 p.m., starting March 10.
This will be an eight-week session ending April 28. This program is designed for adults (18 and older) of all abilities and is a great way to meet new people with the same interest while improving on your game. It is a freelance program with no instructor. Pick up games will be played. All levels and abilities are welcome. Participants must wear sneakers and bring your own racquet. The fee is $20 for Brattleboro residents and $40 for non-residents.
Co-ed volleyball
An adult (out of high school) co-ed volleyball program 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 March 10 and run through April 28. 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.
Youth indoor soccer
A youth indoor soccer program for children in grades K-6 begins on March 14 and runs for five weeks. This program will be held as follows: Mondays, 5-6 p.m., Grades K-2 Co-ed; Tuesdays, 5-6 p.m., Grades 3-4 Co-ed; Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m.; Grades 5-6 Co-ed.
Children will be broken up into small groups and pick-up games will be played. The focus will be on having fun. Scores will not be kept and shin guards and sneakers are required. The cost is $10 for Brattleboro residents and $25 for non-residents.
Open Gym and Game Room
The main Gibson-Aiken gymnasium is open for basketball each day, while the game room offers ping-pong, bumper pool, foosball and air hockey. There is no cost for either activity. All sessions are supervised. Times and age groups are as follows:
• Grades K-6, Mondays and Fridays, 3-5 p.m., and Wednesdays, 3-4:45 p.m.
• Grades 7-12, Tuesdays, 2:45-5 p.m., and Thursdays, 3-5 p.m.
• Adults and Grades 7-12, Saturdays, 1-4 p.m.
A special open gym time for parents and toddlers 5 and under is offered on Mondays and Thursdays, from 10-11:45 a.m., in the second floor gymnasium. Toys provided include a playhouse, blocks, floor foam puzzles, little tike bikes, slides, mats and an assortment of balls. A $1 donation per child per day is requested.