Parks and Recreaction Announce Fall Programs

Registration, for residents, will begin in person or by mail beginning September 4 however registration for Big E tickets, Tai Chi and Pilates has already begun.  Call the department to check if space or tickets are still available for those classes/event.

Fit Toddlers – For 2-3 year olds (age determined by first day of class).  Each of the classes will be a fun adventure for your toddler.  Parachute games, obstacle courses, games and much more create a playful environment for your child.  Parents are welcome to participate with the children. Classes meet Tuesdays 9:30-10:15 a.m. starting September 25 or Fridays 9:30-10:15 a.m. or 10:30-11:15 a.m. starting September 21 for 8 classes at the Berlin Community Center. Fee is $65 for residents, $75 for non residents.

Sports Jam – For 4&5 year olds (age determined by first day of class) – Develop pre-sport skills and team participation in this class created for the child with lots of energy.  Soccer, baseball, kickball, basketball and many other sport skills will be incorporated into games and activities. Classes meet Tuesdays 10:30-11:15 a.m. starting September 25 or Thursdays 10:00-10:45 a.m. starting September 20 for 8 classes at the Berlin Community Center.  Fee is $65 for residents, $75 for non residents.             

Arts Discovery – An exciting introduction to the arts, for 3-6 year olds!  Dance & movement, music & rhythm, arts & crafts and acting & stories will be part of this new program. Creative, developmentally appropriate activities centered around the “theme of the day”.  Please bring a water bottle. Arts Discovery will be held on Wednesdays starting September 26 or Thursdays starting September 27 from 1:00-2:45 p.m., at the Berlin Community Center.  Fee is $100 for residents and $110 for nonresidents. 

ABC for you and me Arts and Crafts – For ages Preschool -5 years.    Come join us for some morning fun making arts and crafts and learning the ABC’s.  Your children will enjoy a story, craft and a new letter every class. Fee is $40 for residents and $50 for non residents. Limit 8 children. Classes will meet at the Berlin Community Center on Thursdays from 9:30-10:15 a.m. starting on September 27 for 8 classes. 

Exploring Dance  – Will be held on Fridays at the Community Center. Children experience the enjoyment of ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling through creative movement during this 30 minute class. For 3-5 year olds from 3:50-4:20 p.m.  Classes start on September 21 and the fee is $50 for residents, $60 for non residents, for 8 classes. 

Karate – Little Ninja’s, ages 4-6. Tuesday’s and Thursday’s 4:45-5:30 p.m.  8 weeks, starts September 25. Fee is $99 for residents, $109 for non residents with free uniform and awards ceremony. Held at First Class Martial Arts and Fitness, 158 Mill Street, Berlin. Prior registrants not eligible to register.

Dance Beginnings  – Will be held on Friday’s at the Community Center.  Children discover and create dances while learning the elements of ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling during this 40 minute class. For 5-7 year olds from 4:20-5:00 p.m. Classes start on September 21 for 8 classes. Fee is $50 for residents, $60 for non residents. 

Karate – Beginners, ages 7-12. Monday’s 5:30-6:15 p.m. and Wednesday’s 4:45-5:30 p.m.  8 weeks, starts September 24. Fee is $99 for residents, $109 for non residents with free uniform and awards ceremony.  Held at First Class Martial Arts and Fitness, 158 Mill Street, Berlin. Prior registrants not eligible to register.

The Red Cross Babysitting course is for youths 11 years old and up will help prepare students to supervise children in the absence of parents or guardians. This course offer the youths the opportunity to develop skills in leadership and professionalism, learn how to take care of children from infants up to school age, child development, basic care, simple cooking and crafts, safety, safe play and first aid.  Students will receive a babysitting manual and a certificate (upon successfully completing the course).  Fee for residents is $55.00 and non residents $65.00.  Class will be held at the Berlin Community Center.  All classes held from 5:00-8:15 p.m.

Class 1: Tuesday September 18 and Wednesday September 26   Class 2: Wednesday October 17 and October 24   Class 3: Tuesday November 6 and November 20

Art for Two – Parent/Child art class, Halloween – Come make a craft with your kids.  For grades K-5 on Saturday October 20 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.  A Halloween themed craft will be featured. Class will be held at the Berlin Community Center.  Fee is $15 for residents and $25 for non residents (price includes cost for materials). 

Art for Two – Parent/Child art class, Fall– Come make a craft with your kids.  For grades K-5 on Saturday November 17 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.  A Fall themed craft will be featured.  Class will be held at the Berlin Community Center.  Fee is $15 for residents and $25 for non residents (price includes cost for materials). 

Art for Two – Parent/Child art class, Christmas/Winter– Come make a craft with your kids.  For grades K-5 on Saturday December 8 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. A Christmas/Winter themed craft will be featured. Class will be held at the Berlin Community Center.  Fee is $15 for residents and $25 for non residents (price includes cost for materials). 

Tai Chi for Osteoporosis and Fall Prevention for ages 60 and older - Tai Chi consists of fluid gentle movements that are relaxed and slow in tempo. It has been proven to work by slowing down bone loss, improving balance, reducing falls and improving quality of life. Dress comfortably.  This class meets on Wednesdays for 7 weeks. Classes are held at the Berlin Community Center from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. A minimum of six participants is needed to conduct the class with a maximum of twenty participants.  Fee is $46.00 for residents and $56.00 for non residents  Session 1 - September 12 to October 24  Session 2 - October 31 to December 19   

Pilates - Our Pilates classes are held at the Berlin Community Center. Instructors are from Personal Euphoria, Wethersfield. Participants will need a mat, water bottle and wear comfortable clothes. 

Core Blast Pilates is a system of over 500 controlled exercises that engage the mind and condition the total body. It is a balance blending of strength and flexibility training that improves posture, reduces stress and creates long lean muscles without bulking up. Co-ed 18 years of age and up, mixed levels – beginners through intermediate, no ball class. Class will meet for 10 weeks on Mondays from September 17 until December 10. Limit of 12 participants.  Fee is $70 for residents and $80 for non residents 

Barre Physique Bar Class – Pilates Physique is a unique total body workout that focuses on small, controlled movements combined with gentle-on-the-joints but heart-pumping bursts of interval training to define and tone long, lean muscles.  With a combination of muscle work and stretching this program creates lean, flexible sculpted arms, flat abs and a lifted seat!  Using a chair or bar provided, you’ll be targeting every muscle in the body.  A challenging, safe and effective workout set to dynamic music props such as balls, bands and light weights.  Class will meet for 10 weeks on Wednesdays from 6:15-7:00 p.m. starting on September 19 until December 12. Fee is $50 for residents and $60 for non residents. 

Power up Pilates - Like our regular Pilates class, this class will provide a full body workout.  You’ll work your arms, legs, abs, back, and butt, but use props that will help to strengthen, tighten and tone the entire body quickly and safely.  Power-Up Plates integrates the lengthening and stretching principles of traditional Pilates and add strength training.  Though exercises might feel more intense, every exercise can be modified for beginner and intermediate levels.  Class will meet for 10 weeks on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 p.m. starting September 19 until December 12.  Limit of 12 participants Fee is $70 for residents and $80 for non residents.  

Stretch Pilates for Seniors - 60 years and older.  Pilates was developed to benefit all individuals, no matter what their fitness level, making Pilates a wonderful exercise option for everyone. In addition to strengthening the core and maintaining loose, limber limbs, particular attention will be made to help improve posture and balance. Additional stretching exercises will be provided to help increase flexibility, which can often be lost with aging. The exercises will help create body awareness, maintain muscle strength, improve balance, and maintain range of motion in joints in order to help keep you mobile and active.  Pilates should help reduce back and joint pain.  Pilates doesn't just make muscles strong, it is designed to keep the muscles working together so that the body can move harmoniously throughout daily activities.  That is what kept Joseph Pilates doing the exercises into his eighties.  Variations and modifications will be available for all body types. This class will be focused towards seniors although all are welcome to attend. If you are concerned about working out on the floor, please contact Park and Recreation so that we can address those questions. Class will meet for 10 weeks on Mondays from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. starting September 17 until December 10.  Limit of 15 participants.  Fee is $70 for residents and $80 for non residents

BIG E – Eastern States Exposition Fair Dates: September 14 – September 30 - There’s no better place to enjoy the sights, sounds and taste tempting aromas of the fall season than at The Big E.  New England’s Autumn Tradition and the largest fair in the northeast.  It’s a New England extravaganza with top name entertainment, major exhibits,  the Big E Super Circus, the Avenue of States, New England history and agriculture, animals, rides, shopping, crafts, a daily parade and Mardi Gras parade and foods from around the world for 17 glorious days during New England’s most colorful season.  Limited number of adult tickets on sale, subject to availability through Monday, September 10.  Tickets can be purchased for $12 each for ages 13 and older in the Park and Recreation Office. 

The Berlin Parks and Recreation Department will host the 8th annual Scarecrow Festival in conjunction with the Fall Foliage Festival on Saturday, October 13.  Opening ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. in Volunteer Park on the corner of Farmington Ave. and Porters Pass.  After the opening ceremony free children’s activities will take place in the park until 12:30 p.m.  We encourage businesses, local volunteer, civic organizations, children’s organizations as well as individuals and families to join us for the 8th Annual Festival by creating their own unique scarecrow to enter into the Scarecrow contest. A $15.00 registration fee is needed to enter. Scarecrows will take up residency on Farmington Ave. from Saturday, October 13 until Tuesday, October 30.  We hope to create a fall atmosphere and country setting to the terrific Town of Berlin.  Spend a day with your family strolling down Farmington Ave. looking at all the creative scarecrows.  Stop in and visit our local businesses for a bite to eat or a little shopping.  For additional information on the event and Scarecrow registration form contact the Parks and Recreation office at 860-828-7009. In case of inclement weather please call the Department’s information phone 860-828-7100.