Township offering winter programs for kids, adults

West Milford — West Milford Community Services and Recreation is holding winter programs for children of all ages and adults. Below is a list of the programs being offered. Go to www.westmilford.org, click on Community Services and Recreation’s home page then go to forms and documents section of the site to get the registration form. Classes begin in late January. All classes are held at Hillcrest Community Center, 1810 Macopin Road, West Milford, unless otherwise noted. Non-residents must add $10 to the cost of the program. A new email service is being offered by Community Services and Recreation to advise residents of their programs, events and important information. Go to the township home page, www.westmilford.org and click on email subscriptions. Choose Community Services and Recreation and follow the prompts. For additional information on any of the programs, call Community Services and Recreation at 973-728-2860. Chess Program For boys and girls in grades 3 through 8 Program code: Beginners Chess: 1123;1; Intermediates Chess: 1123;2 Studies have shown that chess develops critical thinking and problem solving skills and helps with memory retention as well. This six-week program will combine instruction in the game of chess with playing time. Two sessions are being offered: one for relative beginners and one for more experienced players. Players may move from one group to the other as they progress. Accommodations may be made for slightly younger or older players. Tuesdays, Jan. 24 to March 6 (no class Feb. 21) Beginners: 4 to 5 p.m. Intermediates: 5 to 6 p.m. Cost: $50 Children’s Ceramics For boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade February Workshops: Feb. 12: Ceramics 1139;1 Feb. 22: Ceramics 1139;2 March Workshops: March 7: Ceramics 1139;3 March 14: Ceramics 1139;4 Classes are held between 4:30 and 6 p.m. Cost: $15 per class, per child Shooting Stars Drama Classes For children in grades Kindergarten through 2 Program code: Acting: 1131;1 This exciting program will stimulate children’s imaginations and explore real and imaginary worlds. Each week children will create a costume piece, prop or mask associated with that week’s theme. Parents are invited at the end of class for a short presentation. Fridays, Jan. 23 through March 19 (no program Feb. 20), eight weeks, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Cost: $110 Homework Heroes For children in grades 2 through 5 Program code: HWHEROS: 1146 Homework Heroes is a program that will help your child achieve the confidence they need to be successful in school. The goal is to support students who have difficulty understanding what was taught in the daily lesson and to find the hero in themselves. Children will receive individualized support, but not one-to-one tutoring. Teacher assessments will be made and homework helper suggestions will be given to parents. Some strategies include organization, communication, reading comprehension, note taking, test taking and stress management. Limited class size. Lead by Jill Dunlop, a New Jersey certified teacher. Tuesdays, Jan. 24 through April 3, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Cost: $80 Imagine With Music For children newborn to age 5 with parent/caregiver Program code: Music 1128;1 Research shows us that children exposed to music and movement as early as possible in life will excel in speaking, walking, math, spelling and even foreign languages. This program will expose your child to a variety of music, creative movement, singing, imagination and circle time with the use of instruments and fun. Instructor: Erika Crocco. Eight weeks. Wednesdays, Jan. 25 to March 14, 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Cost: $95 first child, $85 second sibling Back To Basics Art Class For children in grades 1 through 3 Program code: ART1: 1144; 1 Beautiful art starts with the basics. Learn to paint a still life, draw a portrait and make a beautiful landscape. In this class the basic elements of art will be taught. Line, shape, composition and color will be applied to create masterpieces. Thursdays, Jan. 26 through Feb. 15 4 to 5 p.m. Cost: $50 Journey With The Masters For children in grades 4 through 6 Program code: ART2: 1144:2 Take a tour through art history and learn the styles and the techniques that made the masters famous. Students will study and create artwork inspired by artists from daVinci to O’Keefe. They will use mediums such as watercolor paints, colored pencil, pastels and inks. Thursdays, Jan. 26 through Feb. 15, 5 to 6 p.m. Cost: $50 Hip Hop with the Bunny For boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade Program code: HipHopBunny: 1142 Boys and girls will have lots of fun making special treats, decorating a craft, singing, dancing and playing games. Wednesday, April 4; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost: $20 Bakers Pride For boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through 5 Program code: Bake: 1141 Love those baked goods? Children will experience the joy of pies, cakes, specialty and international favorites. In addition to basic kitchen function and safety, children will become familiar with the tasty world of baking in this two-hour class. Thursdays, March 1, 8, 15 and 22; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost: $60 ($20 registration fee, $40 payable to instructor on the first day of class) Lacrosse Travel Teams Open to boys and girls in grades 3 through 8 Program code: Boys Lacrosse: 1118;1 Girls Lacrosse: 1118;2 Come and be part of the fastest game on two feet. Lacrosse is a culmination of skills from soccer, baseball, basketball and hockey. The goal of the program is to teach the fundamentals and skills of lacrosse in a fun way, while promoting positive teamwork and sportsmanship. No previous experience is necessary. Practices start mid March. Games will start in April and go through mid June. Detailed information and schedules will be provided after registration closes on Feb. 15. Participants must become members of US Lacrosse and are responsible for the purchase of their own equipment Cost: $100; siblings $75 Violin Classes For Children Program code : Level 1: Violin: 1124;1 Level 2: Violin: 1124;2 Learning the violin will help develop a child's intellect, memory, reaction and coordination. At the end of the course the student should be able to pluck or bow a few simple songs. Limited free violin rentals available. Thursdays, Jan. 26 through March 15; Level 1 classes 4:30 to 5:15 p.m., Level 2 classes 5:15 to 6 p.m. Cost: $120 Indoor Field Hockey For Girls For girls in grades 5 through 8 Program code: hockeygirls: 1130;1 Come join in on the fun and learn the exciting sport of field hockey. Participants will learn the basics of the game and fine-tune their skills through drills, fun contests and mini-games. Equipment is required: field hockey stick, mouth guard, shinguards, a ball and a water bottle. This eight-week program will run Wednesdays, Feb. 1 through March 21, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Cost: $90 Simple Machines With Legos For children in grades kindergarten through 5 Program code: LEGOCLASS 1136;1 Children will create and build their own models and keep them to show off. Mondays, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 13, 27. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost: $25 (plus $25 per child supply fee payable to instructor on the first day of class) Karate For children in grades 1 through 6 Program Code: Karate: 1133,1 Join American Eagle MMA Black Belt and national martial arts champion James Foody as he leads this martial arts program. This program is designed to enhance self-esteem, self-discipline and safety awareness by incorporating the S.A.V.E. Bully-Proof Program. Self-discipline and defense rather than aggressiveness are promoted. Weekly safety flyers focus on a wide range of topics including stranger, fire safety and more. Thursdays, Jan. 26 through March 29, 5 to 5:45 p.m. Cost: $100 Horse'n Around @ Hidden Acres For boys and girls in first through eighth grade Experience the enjoyment of horses and stay out of the cold while participating in a four-week winter activity in the warmth of an indoor arena and heated viewing room. The days are filled with educational and fun horse activities geared toward developing children into riders. Children will learn the responsibility of managing the daily care of horses and ride with top instructors to develop their riding skills. Throughout the weeks we will be joined by industry experts to educate the children on careers with horses. The session ends with a mini demonstration highlighting the skills that the children learned during the weeks. Family will be invited. No experience is necessary. Wednesdays, Jan. 18 through Feb. 8; 4 to 6 p.m. At Hidden Acres Farm, 1330 Westbrook Road, West Milford Cost: $120 (includes all materials and supplies) Winter Sports Squirts Program Code: WinterSquirts 1126;1 The US Sports Institute (which brings us the very popular Multi-Sport Camp) also offers Sport Squirts program as a great way to introduce children ages 3 to 5 to a variety of sports such as soccer, T-ball, basketball and hockey, all taking place in a safe, structured environment to ensure learning. All activities promote hand-eye coordination, movement and balance and, most importantly, fun! Tuesdays, Jan. 24 through March 13, (no class Feb. 21); 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cost: $125 Soccer Squirts Program code: soccerSquirts 1127;1 The US Sports Institute is offering a seven-week soccer squirts program as a great way to introduce children ages 3 to 5 to soccer, taking place in a safe, structured environment to ensure learning. Soccer squirts learn the fundamentals of soccer through a program of activities and fun-based games designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and develop motor skills. All activities promote hand-eye coordination, movement and balance and, most importantly, fun! Parents must remain at program. Tuesdays, Jan. 24 to March 13, (no class Feb. 21) 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Cost: $125 Beginner Guitar Class For students in grades 5 through 8 Program code: Guitar: 1132;1 No experience necessary. This will be a fun, informative and interactive class. Students will learn all the basics for guitar including note reading, melody, chords, songs and much more. Must have a guitar and music stand. One can be rented or purchased at a discount rate at North Jersey Guitar. Call 973-728-7200. Thursdays, Jan. 26 through March 1, 7 to 7:45 p.m. Cost: $100 Piano Lessons for Children I For children in grades 1 through 4 Program code: Piano: 1125;1 This class will start with reading by the numbers and playing with one hand first and then expand to both hands. Short and easy tunes will be introduced to make it possible for the young ones to play and feel the rhythm from the very beginning. Keyboards will be provided for use at the lesson. Wednesdays, Jan. 25 through March 14, 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Cost: $120 Piano Lessons for Children II For children in grades 5 through 8 Program code: Piano: 1125;2 The piano is an ideal first instrument for children to learn. This course will guide the student step by step through basic note reading and playing skills with both hands, by selecting familiar music to provide an enjoyable learning experience. Keyboards will be provided for use at the lesson. Wednesdays, Jan. 25 through March 14, 5:15 to 6 p.m. Cost: $120 Kids Creative Cooking Class For kids in grades Kindergarten through 5 Program code: COOK: 1140 This class will teach students how to cook in a safe and fun environment. All the basics will be covered including measuring and using the proper utensils. Participants will create simple dishes from beginning to end and the best part - enjoy eating what they make. Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16, and 23. 4:30 to 6 p.m. Cost: $60 ($20 registration fee, $40 payable to instructor on the first day of class) Junior Jazzercise Two sessions: one for children 3 to 6 years old and one for children 7 to 12 years old Program code: 3 to 6 year olds: Jazz: 1143;1, 7 to 12 year olds: Jazz: 1143;2 This is the perfect program to get kids active and learn the importance of exercise and health. 3 to 6 year olds, Wednesdays, Jan. 25 through March 28, 1 to 2 p.m. 7 to 12 year olds, Thursdays, Jan. 26 through March 29, 4 to 5 p.m. Location: West Milford Jazzercise Fitness Center, 1884 Union Valley Road (behind Lakeland Auto Parts), Hewitt Cost: $75 Winter Holiday Celebration For boys and girls in grades kindergarten through 5 Program code: WinterHolidays: 1024;2 Join us for double the fun. Kids will enjoy decorating projects for the holidays of Valentines and St. Patrick's Day, sing songs, play games and take home some special projects. Wednesday, Feb. 8. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost: $20 Baby Signing Time Play and Sign Classes Signing program for children 10 to 24 months with caregiver Program code: Signing 1145:1 In this fun class, both caregiver and baby will be introduced to basic sign language that relates to everyday words. Tuesdays, Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14, 9 to 9:45 a.m. Cost: $70 per child with parent Make Magic With Clay For children in grades kindergarten through 5 Program code: Clay: 1138 Clay is a marvelous material to work with and pottery is a craft that involves a total hands-on experience. Participants will have fun designing, decorating and coloring their own handmade pieces. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Cost: $10 (plus $10 material fee payable to the instructor on the first day of class) Jazzercise Hip Hop For children ages 13 to 17 Program Code: JazzHipHop: 1143; 3 Combines aerobic conditioning and strength training with the fun of traditional dance class choreography. Saturdays, Jan. 28 through March 31, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Location: West Milford Jazzercise Fitness Center, 1884 Union Valley Road (behind Lakeland Auto Parts), Hewitt Cost: $75 Body Back Yoga With Baby Program code: AdultYoga: 1134;1 Reconnect with your body while bonding with your baby. This total mind and body workout incorporates arms, legs and butt while focusing on core strengthening techniques. Includes time spent engaging your baby in song or activity, incorporating baby into your physical practice, as well as relaxation time for caregivers and baby. Brief introductions to pranayama, (breath work) infant massage and sign language included. Suitable for caregivers and infants six weeks to crawling. Mats are provided but please bring a blanket for your baby’s comfort. 10 weeks, Wednesdays, Jan. 25 through March 28, 1 to 1:45 p.m. Location: Kor Fitness, Belcher's Run, West Milford Cost: $130