STORY TIME YOGA  Albert Einstein said, If  you want your children to be smart, tell them stories.  If you want them to be really smart, tell them more stories.  If you want your children to be brilliant, tell them even more stories.”  Story time yoga is a body-centered education program for young children. It combines the ancient practice of oral storytelling with the healing practice of Hatha yoga.  Puppets and other theatrical elements, both visually and auditorally, connect children to the stories, their imaginations and their physical bodies, when practicing poses. 

WHO:      Boys & Girls age 3 to 6  

WHEN:   Wednesdays, April 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25

                 3:00 to 4:30 pm                                   

WHERE:  Cold Spring School  

COST:      $45.00  

DEADLINE:   Saturday, April 23, 2011

SAFE SITTER Safe Sitter is a medically accurate, hands-on class that teaches you how to handle emergencies when caring for children.  You will learn what to do when a child chokes, safety for you the sitter, how to call for emergency help, babysitting business skills, basic child care skills, such as diapering & feeding, and how to entertain children and keep them safe. Parent's: In the Safe Sitter course, a great deal of information is presented in a short period of time. Parents will take all responsibility for deciding whether their own child is capable and mature enough to baby sit. All participants MUST arrive on time.

 WHO:  Boys & Girls ages 11-13

 WHEN:   Monday, April 18    9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

WHERE:  Teen Center  

COST:  $55.00 includes supplies  

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 13 

THE LITTLE CHEFS CLUB This is a food preparation program that provides hands-on cooking fun while introducing cooking vocabulary & techniques, nutrition, kitchen safety and more. There will be no ovens or stovetops used to eliminate any danger to the children. All recipes will be prepared by the children and then sent home with essential cookware.  For example cookies will be completely prepared during the program and then the dough will be rolled into wax paper for storage. The final step of baking will be done at home so that the children may share and enjoy their creations with their families and friends. 

WHO: Boys & Girls ages 5-10

WHEN: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, April 19, 20, 21

              9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

WHERE: Belchertown Recreation Dept.

COST: $60.00 which includes all materials, an apron and recipe book.

Registration deadline is Monday, April 11.

TAKE A HIKE, LITTLE TYKES  Spring is here!  This is a chance for the little ones to explore the wonders of spring.  The kids will learn about the sights, sounds and smells of the new season.  From the new green buds of trees and the happy tunes of the birds, to the smells of new skunk cabbage…the newness of spring is exciting for all.  The kids will even build their own bird’s nest!  It is a great opportunity to get the kids to stretch their legs, breathe in the fresh air, and even feel the soft earth under their feet. The miracle of spring should not be ignored. 

WHO:  BOYS & GIRLS AGES 5 – 8

WHEN:   Tuesday, April 19  9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

                 Thursday, April 21  9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

WHERE:  Quabbin Reservoir and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation area

COST:  $20.00 each session

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Saturday, April 16 

GENTLE YOGA  Hatha yoga promotes a healthy body as a catalyst of higher knowledge. Gentle hatha is a slow self-reflective practice. This class uses movement which pampers the body. Along with the comfort of a steady breath gentle yoga can reduce stress, sooth aching joints, and improve range of motion. Gentle yoga is enjoyed by individuals new to yoga, those with physical limitations and those with more experience who are interest in the subtler aspect of breath work or body alignment. The cost is $70.00. Registration deadline is Sat. April 2.

WHO:  Individuals 15 and older (parental signature required under 18)

WHEN: Wednesday Afternoon,    4:00 – 5:15 p.m.

             Apr 6 – June 1, 2011 (No class 4/20)

WHERE:   Swift River School Common Room

COST: $70.00 per session

Registration deadline: Sat. before the session begins  

YOGA  Hatha yoga is an ancient practice of movement that brings openness and vitality to the body while quieting the mind. This mixed level course will introduce basic yoga postures and theories.  Attention is given to breathing & relaxation along with instruction in traditional postures to build flexibility, strength & balance. This 8 class yoga focuses on physical movement which is challenging yet soothing. The instructor presents information-rich classes featuring anatomical mechanics of poses; yoga history, lore and philosophy; personal experience; and energy-oriented benefits of postures. You do not have to be flexible, strong, or very fit to enjoy yoga as each participant is encouraged to move at their own pace. 

WHO:  Individuals 15 and older (parental signature required under 18)

WHEN: Wednesday Evenings,    6:00 – 7:15 p.m.

             Apr 6 – June 1, 2011 (No class 4/20)

WHERE:   Swift River School Common Room

COST: $70.00 per session

Registration deadline: Sat. before the session begins  

COACH PITCH Division is a coed league for individuals currently in First and Second Grade.  This fun and instructional league is aimed at teaching the game, learning fundamentals and developing overall skills in batting, base running and fielding.  The season is approximately 7 weeks long and will begin in May.  Cost is $30.00.  Registration deadline is April 14.

T-BALL Division is a coed league for individuals currently in Kindergarten.  This is an entry level program to introduce the very basics of the sport to girls and boys with the emphasis on fun.  The season last approximately 5 weeks and will begin the end of May / beginning of June.  Cost is $25.00.  Registration deadline is May 5.  Birth Certificates not already on file at the Rec Dept. is required with payment due at time of registration. 

STINGRAYS SWIM TEAM        

Boys & Girls grades 2-12 (Kindergarten & 1^st graders will be tested for ability to join) have fun improving your swimming skills and learning new strokes with the Belchertown Stingrays. If you are not sure your ready to join the Stingrays, come and try it, the first two weeks of practice are a trial period.  Practices run Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday with times staggered according to age & ability. Participants are requested to practice 3 days per week to get the most benefit from the program. The season runs April 25 through the end of July. The cost is $175.00 per child (3^rd child same household $85.00).

ART IN THE AFTERNOON  This 4 week program is a multi-cultural, multi-media exploration in artistic expression. Emphasis is on fun and the learning process.  Each session will center around one major theme. Students go directly to the Art room after school. Students can bring a snack and will have an opportunity to eat before the program starts. This 4 week program will focus on Native American weavings, self-portrait paintings, puppet making and fabric printing.

WHO: Boys & Girls grades 1-3

WHEN: Wednesdays 3:15 – 4:30 p.m.

              May 4, 11, 18, 25 (make-up 6/1)

WHERE: Swift River Art Room

COST: $65.00 includes all materials

Registration deadline: Sat. before the session begins  

SWIM  LESSONS

Children must be at least 3 years of age and potty-trained, able to separate from parent and take instruction from another adult.

WHO:  Boys & Girls ages 3 & older  

WHEN:   Saturdays, April 30, May 7, 14, 21    

Level 1 10:15-10:45  FULL

Level 2 10:15-10:45  

Level 2 11:00-11:30  FULL

Level 1 11:00-11:30

Level 3 11:45-12:30

Level 2 11:45-12:15

WHERE:  Chestnut Hill Community Pool

COST:  Level 1/2 $30.00  Level 3/4 $35.00