Registration Open for Fall Programs at Medfield Parks and Recreation Department

While kids head back to school this week and the town recovers from Tropical Storm Irene, the is gearing up for its fall programs and released its fall brochure and started registration earlier this month.

The start of the fall programs will be Monday, Sept. 12, and the department will be offering something for everyone, from toddlers through senior citizens. The brochure is available as a PDF on our Web site at www.town.medfield.net. You can also pickup a copy of the brochure at the Pfaff Center during normal business hours.

Some of the more popular programs are the sports leagues that run during the fall. Registration is underway for Kindergarten Tee-Ball (Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. starting Sept. 15), Pre-K Soccer (Saturdays at 9 a.m. starting Sept. 10), Kinder Soccer (Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. starting Sept. 10) and Flag Football (Saturdays starting Sept. 17 for Kindergarten through sixth grade). There also is a need for volunteer coaches and coordinators for these leagues. If you are interested and did not make note of this when registering your child, e-mail Kevin Ryder at medfieldpr@comcast.net.

A couple of the early highlights include the 18th Annual Medfield Day 5K Road Race, the official road race of the Parks and Recreation Department. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Pfaff Center, with a Kids Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K Road Race at 9 a.m. Special registration forms for this race at now available at the Pfaff Center.

The other early highlight is the annual Family Halloween Party, which will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at the Pfaff Center. All of the ghoulish fun will be from 6 to 8 p.m., with games, crafts and pumpkin decorating for everyone that comes dressed in their costume. Cost is just $10 per family.

Along with these two annual special events, Parks and Recreation has numerous class offerings for you to choose from, whether for yourself or your child, or both. All classes are listed in the brochure and on-line, but here is a sampling of our offerings for this fall:

Drama Kids: The program will be broken into three classes to focus on 5 to 8 year olds, 9 to 11 year olds and middle school and high school students. All of the classes will meet on Friday afternoons over an 8-week period this fall and 10 weeks in the late fall and winter and are taught by highly trained teachers who will inspire and motivate the participants. New this year is a Kinder Kids Drama class that will meet Fridays from 1 to 1:45 p.m. for 4 and 5-year-olds.

Munch, Crunch & More: This class is designed for the child that likes to “savor” their snacks. Does your child feel like they could easily use more time?  This is the class for you. This class will allow time to leisurely read stories, do our cooking project and enjoy our treats.  Your little one will also have time to explore table top activities, board games and floor puzzles. Parents will receive a menu describing what we will be “cooking up” during the session so that you can try some of the recipes at home. Classes will meet Monday, Wednesday or Friday afternoons from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; or Thursday or Friday mornings from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Kid’s Night Out: Sound familiar? Here’s your chance to let your kids do the cooking and watch a movie while you enjoy a night out. This fall, we will serve pizza at each event, with the kids making their own desert! This special drop off program at the Pfaff Center is designed for children that are in Kindergarten through third grade. Please be sure that your child can easily transition from the activity to a quiet movie. The department will have three dates to choose from; choose one or all three: Friday, Sept. 16, Friday, Oct. 14, Friday, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16, and each will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Register now as space is limited.

Tot Gymnastics: This is an introduction to climbing, tumbling and playing with friends. Weekly activities include: warmups, stretching, songs, games, obstacle courses that change weekly and beginning tumbling skills. This is a FUN and interactive class meant for those that are already comfortable walking. This class will meet on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.

Kindergarten Enrichment Program: Looking to extend your child’s Kindergarten experience? Join Karen Bicknell (Certified Elementary Education teacher, Master’s in Reading) and Kirsty Young (Youth Fitness Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, MS in Exercise Physiology) for a morning of fun, stimulating and educational activities ranging from phonics review to counting to physical fitness. A new theme will be explored each week. This class will meet on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:50 a.m.

John Smith Soccer Academy: Develop your soccer skills in a 4 vs. 4 format with the experienced and dedicated coaches from John Smith Sports. You will work with soccer professionals, some who have been around the game for nearly 38 years, as they help you on tactical development. Different skills will be worked on each week, while ones learned previously will be reviewed. This is purely a skills class meant to help develop the soccer player as they continue his/her playing days through the town leagues, Medfield Youth Soccer and the Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS) leagues. Options range for Under-6 all the way to Under-16 for boys and girls, and these skills classes will run on Wednesdays starting Sept. 7. See the Web site for exact times.

Circuit Training: This is the perfect class for those looking to improve their overall fitness level. Anything goes in this circuit-style class designed to increase your speed, agility and muscular strength. A combination of cardio and strength conditioning exercises will be used to get your heart pumping and your muscles burning! This adult class will meet on Wednesdays from 9 to 10 a.m.

Step, Strength and Stretch: This step aerobics class gives you 30 minutes of great cardio exercise and then another 30 minutes of an energizing, complete toning workout. Class meets on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8 p.m.

Please look at the brochure for many more great activities, including karate classes for Pre-K through 12 year olds; multi sports classes for toddlers; numerous active play opportunities; Music classes for babies and toddlers; and many more adult fitness options.

Registration can be done in one of three ways: on-line with a credit card at www.town.medfield.net; with a check or cash at the Parks and Recreation office at the Pfaff Center; or by mailing a check made payable to MEDFIELD PARKS AND RECREATION and mailed to 124 North St., Medfield 02052. If you have any questions, call the office at (508) 359-2715.

 The recreation office is located inside the Pfaff Center at the corner of North and Dale Streets. To mail your registration to Parks and Recreation, send to Medfield Parks and Recreation, 124 North St., Medfield, MA 02052.