Rec department announces new spring programs
WAYNESBURG – The Greene County Department of Recreation is “springing into the season” with a new series of classes and programs focusing on outdoor activities and indoor hobbies.
The new programs include classes in gardening, essential oils, jewelry making, cake and cookie decorating and youth conditioning. Pre-registration is required, and individual registration fees vary.
All classes will take place in different buildings at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Franklin Township.
The “Greene Thumbs” gardening class will be held at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday this month.
Taught by members of the Penn State Master Gardeners, classes will cover starting a garden on a budget; growing fruit trees and pruning; poison prevention; and asexual reproduction in plants. “Greene Thumbs” is being offered through a partnership between the Department of Recreation and the Greene County Penn State Extension Office. The cost is $5 per class.
“Essentially Yours – Natural Solutions for You and Your Family” will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays from April 12 to May 17.
Instructor Kelly Mackey will lead the class, starting with an introduction to essential oils and adding something each week on how to bring essential oils into participants’ family lives.
Samples will be available, and participants can make and take their own oils. Topics include all natural cleaning products, rollerball therapy and reflexology using essential oils. A guest massage therapist will be at the reflexology class to discuss the combination. The cost is $5 per class.
The second class, “Essential Oils … Home, Mind and Body,” will start at 6 p.m. April 21 and run every Thursday through May 12.
Raquel Evans and Amy Ponzoo will instruct participants on using essential oils for cleaning, gardening, pets, facials and body care. Make and takes will be offered at each of the four classes along with refreshments using essential oils. The cost is $5 per class.
Angel Boyle will lead “Creative Jewelry Making” classes every Monday and Thursday evenings from April 11 to May 5. The Monday classes will run from 6 to 7 p.m. and are open to adults and children ages 5 and older. The Thursday classes will run from 6 to 8 p.m. and are open to adults and children ages 9 and older.
Each class will focus on a different skill, such as basic stringing, foot and ankle bracelets, wire crimping, peyote bracelets and Swarovski earrings. The Monday classes cost $20 per person per class, and the Thursday classes cost $40 per person per class.
On Wednesdays, from April 20 to May 11, children ages 7 to 17 can attend “Kids Cake and Cookie Decorating,” taught by Von Lee. Classes will start at 6 p.m.
Topics include basic piping skills, flower decorating, fondant types and how to color dye frosting, among other techniques. Participants will practice on sugar cookies, cupcakes and a cake, all of which they can take home to enjoy. A container must be brought each week. Cost is $20 per class.
Finally, the department will introduce new four-week classes in youth conditioning on Mondays and Tuesdays. Elementary-age students will begin at 5 p.m. Monday, April 11, and middle school students will start at 6:15 p.m. April 11. Those one-hour classes cost $10 each per student. High school students will have two-hour sessions from 5 to 7 p.m. beginning Tuesday, April 12, at a cost of $15 per class per student.
Taught by Calvin Blunt, a certified personal and speed trainer, of Team6Blunt, classes will help youth with speed building, core strength and agility.
Training will focus on footwork, leg, glute and hip strength, form and technique and muscle memory drills.
For more information, or to pre-register for any of the classes, call the Greene County Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323, or visit www.co.greene.pa.us.