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Recreation Happenings

News from Amherst Parks & Recreation August 27th, 2017- Volume 5, Issue 16





Greetings,
It is time to say goodbye summer, hello fall! Put away those swimming trunks, and take out the cleats. It's time for fall sports, activities, and of course Disc Golf. We welcomed a soft opening of Birch Park and our new Disc Golf Course. Fall is a great time to break into this new sport. To learn more about our course, click HERE. It is located at 11 Baboosic Lake Road, Amherst, NH Grab some discs and head on out! 
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In This Issue
Disc Golf at Birch Park
Boomers and Beyond BBQ
Thursday Night Lights
PreK Programs
Youth Programs
Theater Classes
Adult Fitness/Classes
All Ages
Trips
Bicycle and Pedestrian Survey
Community Happenings
Quick Links

  



Baboosic Lake Town Beach


Birch Park Disc Golf, 11 Baboosic Lake Road 
The one who has the most fun wins!

The game of Disc Golf consists of throwing a flying disc from the teeing area to a basket by means of a throw.  One stroke is counted each time the disc is thrown.  The winner is the golfer with the lowest score.

Please note: This course has been designed as a recreational course with challenges for all.  Please do your part in helping to maintain the course.  If you see a stick or branch that is in the way, please move it.  If you have any issues or see something in need of repair please call the Amherst Parks & Recreation Department at 673-6248.  
Calling all Boomers!

Join the Amherst Parks and Recreation staff, with many special Town of Amherst guests, at Baboosic Lake for a lunch and a cruise around the water! 

Amherst Recreation will be serving a BBQ lunch, followed by Pontoon boat rides around Baboosic Lake.

Who: Amherst Senior Citizens
Where: Baboosic Lake Town Beach, 25 Broadway
When: Wednesday, 9/20; 11:30 start time, lunch will be served at noon  (Raindate: Thursday, 9/21)

Please RSVP by calling our office at 673-6248!
Thursday Night Lights is Back!
There is nothing like getting out of school and heading to the mountain for an afternoon/evening of skiing and snowboarding. Students will be picked up from Wilkins Elementary School or AMS and driven to Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride in Bennington NH. Students will have the opportunity to rent equipment, take a lesson and have some free skiing time before heading back to Wilkins School by 8:10pm.  

Who: Grades 1-8
When: Thursdays, 1/4-2/8
Where: Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride
Time: Students return to Wilkins School at 8:10pm
Transportation: $60 (includes transportation to and from Crotched Mountain for 6 weeks.)

NEW this year!! Student Lift Card Perks-FREE SEASON PASS 
Once participants have completed their (5) scheduled program outings, they will be eligible for a complimentary  Explorer Youth Season Pass, valid Feb 20, 2018 through closing day at any of the seven Peak Resorts ski areas (Attitash Mountain Resort NH, Big Boulder PA, Crotched Mountain NH, Hunter Mountain NY, Jack Frost PA, Mount Snow VT and Wildcat NH). 
Pre School Programming 

PMEC Coordinator Nicole has plans for taking children outside to explore and learn about the work we live in. Children will collect leaves, peer into ponds to look for tadpoles, take small hikes and learn through a hands-on approach. And please join us for our weekly hike that begins at 10:00am, directly after class. This hike is free of charge. 




Who: Ages 3-6 and their caregivers
Where: PMEC
When:  Thursdays 9:00 AM- 9:45 AM
Fee: R $15/NR $20
 
Tiny Toes Dance

Lets get groovy!
Our Tiny Toes Dance program is for girls and boys ages 3-5. In this 4 week program, students will get an intro to dance. 

Where: Peabody Mill Environmental Center
When: Friday mornings 10:15-11am 
Fee: $30R; $35NR



Tot Soccer

Our Tot Soccer is one of our most consistently popular programs, and continues to be coached by terrific instructors. We often have a waiting list, so sign up early!

Tuesday afternoons starting in September!
Yoga Motion- Yoga for Tots!
 
A regular yoga practice benefits the body, mind and spirit. In this 45 minute class designed for little, active bodies, children will experience yoga through movement, traditional poses, stories, games and age appropriate quiet reflection.

What: Yoga for Tots
When: Tuesdays from 9-9:45am  
Where: Peabody Mill Environmental Center
 
Youth Programs
Fall Soccer (U4-U12)- Registration closes on Aug. 28th!

Register for Fall Soccer with Amherst Recreation and your player will learn and develop soccer skills, sportsmanship and team spirit! All teams are volunteer-coached- please consider offering your time and talent. We offer various levels of soccer based on age groups. Boys and girls will play together in all leagues. Shin guards are required at all levels. All soccer ages are based upon 8/1/2017.





This 4 week session will teach students basic chords and simple songs to play and sing. No prior knowledge is needed.  All instructional materials will be provided, including ukuleles during instruction.  If the students want to practice at home, they will need their own ukulele.  

Who: 2nd-4th Graders
Where: After school at Wilkins Elementary
When: Tuesdays, 3:15-4:15


We will be adapting a fall tennis program starting in September. This program will consist of a practice day and a game day. 

Click HERE for more info!
 



Don't let the game end! Extend your summer playing baseball in our developmental and competitive program. Teams will play against other towns.  Practices are one night a week with games on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Travel time for games will not exceed 45min/1hr. This league will start in September. 





Join girls ages 9-12 on the diamond for a game of softball. The goals are for the girls to learn the game, develop skills and have fun! 

Please note: If we cannot field an Amherst only team, we will form a combined team with other surrounding towns.     




Fall XC Team

Learn how to love running with our fabulous coaches and Cross Country program! This program will emphasize learning how to run cross country and include trail running. The program is open to athletes ages 7-18.

Click HERE to Register 

Writing fiction or non-fiction is easy, fun, and so rewarding - both to the writer and the reader!
Come learn the "compass" of good writing. 
 
We will explore how to choose a topic that interests you, how to begin a story, how to research, decide on an audience, and reach a catchy conclusion. 

Who: Ages 10-14
Where: PMEC; Moose Room 
When: Mondays 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/16 (times vary)
Fee: $50R; $55NR


Create your own Mario-style video game with custom levels, players, sounds, and an epic boss! The only limit is your imagination.  

Who: Grades 5-8
Where: Amherst Middle School Computer Lab
When: Wednesdays (9/20- 10/25) 6 weeks 
Fee: $165R; $170NR
For boys and girls in grades 1-4. Miss Maddi will walk students after school from Wilkins to Clark for class. This high energy dance program will strengthen their dance moves and boost their confidence! 
 
Who: Boys and girls, grades 1-4 
Where: Wilkins Music Room
When: Wednesday's from 3:30pm - 4:30pm starting in Sept.
Fee: $60R / $65NR




Amherst Recreation is pleased to offer a Science classroom experience to children from ages 5-15 at the Peabody Mill Environmental Center, an environmental and science education center abutting almost 600 acres of Joe English conservation land. 

Classes are grouped as a series of three that follow a seasonal theme. 

Safe Sitter® is a medically-accurate, up-to-date babysitting course that teaches young teens life and safety skills. This course includes a copy of The Official Safe Sitter® Babysitter's Handbook for each registered participant which they will bring along on all accepted babysitting jobs.

New class on Tuesday, November 7th!



These before-school sessions will provide basics for beginners and challenge the more advanced student. Class time will include grammar, phonics, pronunciation and occasional worksheets. Learning will incorporate familiar stories, songs and music.

Who: 1st-4th graders
When: 7:55-8:25am Wednesdays 11/1-12/20
Where: Wilkins School, Classroom TBA
Get pumped for the FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. 2017/2018 season. In the AQUA ADVENTURESM Challenge, more than 40,000 children will navigate the uncharted waters of this important resource.

We will start a program once we have 4-6 registered. Dates/Times TBD by group.

Theater Classes
Enchanted Folklore,  Aug. 28- Sept 1, 9AM-12PM 
Did Cinderella wear glass slippers or gold slippers? What was in Little Red Riding Hood's basket?   Using a few examples, we will compare and contrast key details throughout history and cultures and examine what makes a good story. We may have our very own version of an Into the Woods.


 Masked Theater

In this class the students will learn about various styles of masked theater and character masks, design and create their own characters and masks, and explore movement and performance technique required for masked performance.

 
When: Saturdays Sept 23-Nov 11
Who:   Ages 6-9 from 8:45-9:45
            Ages 9-12 From 10:00-11:00
Where:PMEC, 66 Brook Road
Fee:    $90 Res, $100 Non-Res


YES, AND...SCENE! 8 Week Session

Are you familiar with "Who's Line Is It Anyway"? That is exactly what this improvisation class is all about. It may seem like fun and games, but comedy is hard work.We will run a practice set week 7 in preparation for a "Friends and Family Improv Night" in week 8!

Who and When
:  Adult Improv 18+, Mondays 6:30-7:30pm, 9/27-11/15
                            Teen Improv 12-17,  Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 pm Sept 2-Nov 18
Where: Souhegan High School 
Fee: $80 Res, $90 Non-Res



Adult Fitness and Activities 
 
Cardio Kickboxing is a boxing inspired cardio fitness class that will elevate the heart rate while having fun.  It is an amazing aerobic experience that utilizes martial arts based kickboxing techniques to increase muscular strength, cardiovascular conditioning, coordination, and balance. 

When: Wednesday Evenings and Thursday Mornings



Yoga for Adults

We offer 3 class options for adult yoga with long-time instructor, Leslie Formby.

Tues @ PMEC, 10-11:15am
Wed @ SHS, 6:30-7:45pm
Thurs @ PMEC, 10-11:15am 

Click here to view fee structure 

TRUE POTENTIAL
  is a program designed specifically for women which encompasses nutrition, result-based workouts and mindfulness. 

New session start in September! morning and evening options available 
 


Mack Hill Riding Academy presents--Fitness by Riding, Especially for Women!

This program is geared specifically for women! 

Where: Mack Hill Riding Academy
Fee: $160 (includes 4, 1 hour lessons)


Tennis Lessons for Adults

Join us on the courts for adult tennis lessons! 

What: Adult Tennis Lessons
Where: Davis Lane Tennis Courts
When: Click HERE
Fee: $42R; $50NR
 

Adult Basketball
Adult Basketball is an opportunity for men and women to play games in an open gym setting on 
Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00-10:00 during the school year at Amherst Middle School.

Adult Volleyball
Adult volleyball is an opportunity for men and women to play in an open gym setting on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8-10pm during the school calendar year at the Amherst Middle School. 



NEW!! Learn to Knit

Amherst Recreation is thrilled to be partnering with Twill this fall for a learn to knit program. Each class will meet for 3 weeks. Supplies are included with the program fee, needles are yours to keep! 

When: Wednesdays from 6-7:30pm at the Amherst Rec Dept.
Projects consist of: Stylish Cowl, Finger-less Gloves, and a Hat

Click here for a full class description

DIY Woodshop Home Decor


Working with power tools can be intimidating, but learning the safe way to operate them opens up a world of DIY and custom décor. This class is part of a series to introduce you to the most commonly used tools for those special projects.

WhoAges 18+
Where
Amherst Makerspace
When
Saturday, October 14, 2017 10am-1pm

Fee$30R/$40NR + $15 materials fee




C25K- Couch to 5k


Rise and Run! Join us for an 8 week Couch 2 5K program, led by coach Sarah Barrett. This widely used program is successful because of its gentle introduction to getting the body moving.

Who: 18+
When: T/TH 6am-6:45am
Where: SHS Track

All Ages

Adult/Youth Horse Back Riding

This program is open to ages 5 and up. This program includes 4 one hour weekly lessons. 

4 Week sessions are now open for registration!
Fee: $160 (includes 4, 1 hour lessons)
 

Full Moon Hikes

Come join us for a full moon hike led by a naturalist at PMEC! Have you ever hiked in the woods at night without a flashlight? If you are willing, we will give it a try! You will be amazed how well you can see in the full moonlight without one. 
 
Click Here for Schedule



Family and Friends Yoga and Art


Gather up the family for this brand new once a month program! Students will start the mornings off with some rejuvenating yoga, and ending with painting with acrylics. This class will be on Sunday mornings from 10am-12noon. Check back for more info soon!




Trips!
Let's eat our way through New England this year with our Monthly lunch Trips! Join the Amherst Recreation crew as we depart for some local lunch outings. We will meet at  10:30am  at the Walmart in Amherst, NH on the first Tuesday of every month for a different luncheon outing around NE! 

Please see our schedule by clicking HERE!


There is no better way to see NH than a cruise aboard the Mount Washington on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. We will be traveling to Laconia, NH on Sunday, October 15th for a Sunday champagne brunch and Fall Foliage Cruise.

What: Mt. Washington Champagne Brunch
Where: Laconia, NH
When: Sunday, October 15, 2017
Depart: Meet at the front of Souhegan High School at 10:30am
Fee: $60R; $65NR



Trip-Anything Goes, the Musical
We are heading to the Palace theater on Thursday, November 9th! Join us as we  spend a night out for dinner and a live show. We will depart the Walmart Parking lot in Amherst, NH at 4pm and head to the Farm for dinner at 4:45pm. Once we are through, we will head to the Palace theater for a 7:30pm show. 

Who:18+
When: Thursday, November 9th
Where: Palace Theater
Fee: $50R; $55NR
Click HERE to learn more
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan 
The town of Amherst's Community Development Department is collecting data on bicyclist and pedestrian activity. We need your help! Here's what you can do:


Click HERE to fill out this online survey
Use strava.com to share walks, runs and rides
Call Town Hall at 673-6041 x215 or email scorson@amherstnh.gov to ask questions and provide information for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. 
 
Other Community Happenings 
Amherst Community Foundation- Souhegan Stadium Gateway Beautification Project

Dear Friends of Amherst,
We are thrilled of the success of the new turf field...our home...our field of dreams! The Amherst Community Foundation is motivated to enhance the entrance to the stadium with new lighting, grounds, and donor dedication area for all to enjoy.

Project Goal: $50,000

Donations accepted through December 31st, 2017.  Every dollar raised will be matched by
ACF. Interested?

 

If you have questions please feel free to contact us at 603-673-6248.     
Sincerely,  
Amherst Parks & Recreation Department