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Community Corner

Find the Fun With Tot's Slime and Grime, Kids Tie Dye Mania and Adult Salsa Lessons

From arts 'n crafts to sports and fitness classes, it's time to get your summer sizzle on at a Tinley Park Park District class of your choosing.

Getting a little bored with summer? Looking for something new to do? Make a beeline to the Tinley Park Park District's office and sign up for a class that’s sure to chase away the summer doldrums.

Housed in the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center, the district's rec center has more than 450 summer classes, sports and activities geared toward an array of age groups and interests.

Tinley Park Park District Superintendent of Recreation Sandy Chevalier oversees the center's programs and—with help from her staff—handpicks classes and activities for each session.

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“We also market the community to find out what their needs and interests are," Chevalier said, adding that about 3,000 people are registered for classes in the district's summer session, not counting special events. “The weather dictates what classes are popular. Right now, interest in sports and swimming classes are high. People are always looking for ways to stay fit, so our different types of yoga and Pilates classes are among the most sought-after year-round.”

Although many of the summer courses are already underway, don't despair. Many have yet to begin.

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Here’s a sampling of what you can be doing as soon as Wednesday:

For the Little Ones

The Tot Time Preschool Program: This class offers a variety of developmentally appropriate activities. Stories, songs, arts and crafts, rhythm movement and free play are designed to challenge, and entertain even the most energetic tykes.

Little Sports: Introduction to popular sports and games such as soccer, basketball and hockey teaches little ones how to interact with one another. Your young athlete will also learn the importance of good sportsmanship.

Slime and Grime: It’s an hour of playtime with slime, finger-paint, and Playdough. It teaches kids how to express their creativity. Best of all, you don’t have to clean up the mess!

All Kids

Just a Minute for Juniors!: Kids who love the popular television show, Minute to Win It, will love this new class. One minute challenges include balancing a feather on a plate or turning a bottle upside down while rolling a marble inside of it. Sound easy? Think again!

Tie Dye Mania: Take it back to the '70s with this popular rubber banding technique. Kids and their parents can create T-shirts, pillowcases and more. This groovy class is new for the summer session.

Music lessons: Youth and adults can learn to tickle the ivories with weekly piano lessons offered at the McCarthy Recreation Building, 16801 S. 80th Ave.

Teenage Fun

Girls Night Out at the Pit Stop: Create locker decorations and personalized school accessories so cute you’ll actually wish school would start already. NOT.

Great America: One day at Six Flags Great America with your friends, and no parents? Sweet! Fee includes one day admission price, transportation and a meal ticket.

Horseback Riding Summer Day Camp: Learn the art of horsemanship with this five-day camp held at Bell View Acres, 13728 S. Bell Road in Homer Glen. Riding lessons are tailored to each teen’s riding ability and experience.

Adults Only

Salsa: Get your summer sizzle on with salsa lessons! Classes are designed to cover basic steps before moving on to body technique, form and turning patterns. Don’t wait on this one—it fills up fast!

Dog Obedience: Wish your pooch was better behaved? Then this is the class for you! Pups and dogs (and their masters) will learn basic obedience, manners, socialization, housebreaking and more. This is at the McCarthy Administration Building.

Black and White Photography and the Digital Camera: You’ll get a solid introduction to the art of digital B&W photography covering topics such as proper exposure, composition and lighting. BYOC (camera).

Organizing the School-Age Child: Also known as Mission: Impossible.

 

The Tinley Park District Registration and Recreation Offices are located at the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center, 8125 W. 171 St., in Tinley Park.

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