February News 24

5th-8th Graders

One day – two great camps! All Skills Camp will focus on improving the fundamentals of the game including throwing, catching, fielding, hitting, and baserunning. The first half of the camp will focus on offensive instruction, and the second half of the camp will focus on defensive instruction.

Pitching/Catching Camp will focus on enhancing fundamentals of both positions. Learn new drills from local coaches and high school pitchers. Pitchers should come prepared with a catcher or parent willing to catch for them. Catcher’s gear not provided for drills, participants should bring their own set

CAMP | TIME | FEE (R/NR)

All Skills Camp | 9a-12p | $55/$82.50
Pitching/Catching Camp | 12:30-2p | $35/52.50

Date: April 27
Location: Zahnd Park – Field 1 & 2 (In case of inclement weather, camp will be held at Leonhard Recreation Center)
Deadline: April 24
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984

REGISTRATION BEGINS FEBRUARY 5, 2024

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Ages 13-16 (as of January 1, 2024)

• Registration Begins – February 5
• Practices Begin – Week of April 8
• Coaches Meeting – TBD
• Coaches Contact – Week of April 29
• Practices Begin – Week of May 8
• Games Begin – Week of May 20

The league is an instructional girls fastpitch softball program that is designed to enhance players’ skills while enjoying recreational play. Teams will play home and away games against other teams in the area such as Mahomet, Urbana, St. Joseph, and Fisher. End of season tournament will be scheduled after the last game of the season; locations and dates TBD. In case of inclement weather, call the Rainout Line at 217-805-4100 or check our website.

League Description: 12” ball; pitching distance 43’
Fee (R/NR): $150/$200, includes a team shirt
Min/Max: 12/24
Deadline: April 23

REGISTRATION BEGINS FEBRUARY 5, 2024

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Ages 6-12

Now’s your chance to get in on the summer softball action early! Improve your skills with the Champaign Park District’s Indoor Softball Clinics! These 6-week clinics focus on improving softball fundamentals before stepping on the field this spring. The curriculum emphasizes technique training that strengthens fielding, throwing, catching, and hitting mechanics through fun and interactive drills. Clinic is indoors but will move outside when the weather is nice.

AGES | DATE | DAY | TIME | FEE (R/NR)

U8 | March 3 – April 14* | 12-12:45p | $58/$87
U10 | March – April 14* | 1-2p | $65/$98
U12 | March 3 – April 14* | 2-3p | $65/$98

Day: Sunday
No Clinic*: March 17
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center & Dodds Softball 3-Plex
Deadline: February 19
Late Registration: If there are openings, registration will remain

YOUTH SOFTBALL CLINICS REGISTRATION

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1st-8th Graders 

Learn hard work, teamwork, and social skills while having a great time playing soccer! The Youth Soccer leagues focus on fun, sportsmanship, fundamental instruction, and opportunity. All players will receive approximately equal playing time, minimum 50% playing time. Each league uses soccer balls, goals, and fields proportional to their age as recommended by the U.S. Youth Soccer. All teams will play six officiated games on Saturdays or on weeknights (depending on the league). Older ages (3rd grade+) will also play in an end of season tournament.

TIMELINE:

Early Bird Registration – February 19
Deadline to register – March 4
Coaches Meeting – March 14 @ 6pm at Leonhard Center
Coaches Contact – Week of March 18
Practices Begin – Week of March 25
Games Begin – April 6

Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984

YOUTH SOCCER SPRING REGISTRATION

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Ages 15+

Beginners and active seniors; enjoy fun music, easy-to-follow moves, and a friendly atmosphere in a class that improves flexibility, joint stability, balance, coordination, muscular strength, and endurance. Forever Fit combines light cardio (to strengthen heart and lungs) with strength training to make this a workout you’ll look forward to.

Date: March 9 – May 11
Day: Saturday
Time: 9-9:45a
Fee (R/NR): $50/$75
Deadline: April 1
Instructor: Rena Leake
Questions: david.galvin@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3986

YOUTH SOCCER SPRING REGISTRATION 

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Ages 3-6

This program is designed to help children learn basic dribbling, passing, and shooting skills using our mini basketball hoops and lowered rims.

AGES | DATE | TIME | DEADLINE

3-4 | March 5 – 26 | 6-6:45p | February 27

5-6 | March 5 – 26 | 6-6:45p | February 27

Fee (R/NR): $57/$85.50
Location: Martens Center
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984

MINI DRIBBLERS REGISTRATION

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Ages 15+

Improve and enhance your body’s strength, flexibility, and balance as we focus on the whole body in Hatha Yoga. This gentle class will also help relieve stress and tension as we learn yoga postures, meditation, and breathing exercises.

Time: 5:30-6:15p
Fee (R/NR): $54/$81
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center
Instructor: Pat Casey
Questions: david.galvin@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3986

HATHA YOGA REGISTRATION

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Whether it’s basketball, volleyball, or pickleball, Open Gym is the perfect time to get moving! Here are some important Open Gym information for the Leonhard Recreation Center, Douglass Community Center and the Martens Center.

OPEN GYM INFO

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ALL GROUP FITNESS CLASSES

ALL SPORTS PROGRAMS

Join our 50 Plus! program to socialize, adventure, and learn!  Individuals aged 50+ living in Champaign-Urbana join for an annual fee of $30. Those outside of Champaign-Urbana pay $40. Non-members are always welcome to participate at the non-member (NM) fee, varies per program.

BENEFITS

• Discounted rates on many programs at both Hays Recreation Center and Douglass Annex.
• Members get advanced early registration for the yearly senior trip.
• Free admission to several annual events plus these programs: Games, Fitness, Brown Bag Lunch Discussions, Socials, Picnics, and more.

FREEBIES FOR ALL

• Fresh coffee weekday mornings.
• Table area to play cards/gather (based on availability).

BECOME A MEMBER

It’s easy to become a member! Register at any Champaign Park District facility, and you’ll be entered into our system to automatically receive member discounts on programming. Membership is nontransferable.

• M = Member
• NM = Non-member

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Enjoy a delectable, leisurely lunch with friends. Pass around pictures of grandkids or share a funny story. There’s nothing like bonding over a meal! Meet us at the restaurant.

Date | Location | Deadline 

• February 14 | Original Pancake House | Deadline: February 7

Day: Wednesday
Time: 11a
Fee: Cost of your meal

Sign up in the Senior Binder at Hays Recreation Center or call 217-239-1152

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Whether you would like to learn about email or even troubleshoot some sort of tech, this class is perfect for you. In Tech Talk, you will have the chance to learn about computer basics, how to use your mobile device, apps, the internet, and much more.

Date: February 8
Time: 1-2:30p
Location: Douglass Annex
Deadline: Call and register for specific dates
Fee (M/NM): Free/$4 per session

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Warm up and feel the love at this delicious event! We will have lots of hot chocolate with all the fixins’, plus sweet treats galore. Following food, we will keep the fun going with Valentine’s Day themed games!

Date: February 9
Time: 12-1p
Location: Hays Recreation Center
Deadline: February 3
Fee (M/NM): Free/$4

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Open to all couples and singles! Love is in the air so dress to impress in something red. Come and enjoy our sweet and savory Valentine’s Day breakfast with music and fun!

Date: February 14
Time: 9-10a
Location: Douglass Annex
Deadline: February 7
Fee (M/NM): Free/$5

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It’s time for fun on the run! Van space is limited, so hurry and register for these members-only trips! Trips depart from Hays Recreation Center.

• February 16 | Chicago, Illinois
  • Museum of Science and Industry
    • Deadline: February 9
    • Fee (Members Only): $30

Senior Road Trips Registration

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We cover it all, from your favorite classics to new premier movies at our Movie Mondays. Come view a different movie every Monday and we will provide the popcorn and beverages.

Date: February 19
Day: Monday
Time: 12p
Fee (M/NM): Free/$4 per session
Location: Douglass Annex

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Celebrate Black History Month as we enjoy traditional soul food and a guest speaker. Bring a special dish to share and sample a variety of foods. Bring a friend!

Date: February 23
Time: 1-3p
Location: Douglass Annex
Deadline: February 16
Fee (M/NM): Free/$5

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Smart Meals is a program designed to provide awareness and education on buying affordable, healthy foods that can be easily prepared at home. Each Smart Meal kit includes a recipe card, shelf-stable ingredients, a shopping list, and other educational materials. Each Smart Meal recipe is uniquely created by a registered OSF dietician. All meals are high in fiber and low in fat and sodium.

• March 7 | Deadline: February 29

Time: 3-4p
Fee : Free, but registration required
Location: Martens Center
Instructor: OSF Staff

SMART MEALS REGISTRATION

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Questions? Email Jean Cousett at veronica.cousett@champaignparks.org

For more information, visit our 50 Plus! Page

Join us at Springer Cultural Center on February 1 from 5:30-7p for the reception of the “Above and Below” art exhibit! This is an opportunity to meet the artists and even buy a piece that you see in the show.

Date: February 1
Time: 5:30-7p
Location: Springer Cultural Center

ART EXHIBITS

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Ages 5+

Stop by Martens Center for a National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day Science Experiment! Kids of all ages get to make delicious ice cream from scratch at this FREE drop-in event.

Date: Saturday, February 3
Time: 12-2p
Fee (R/NR): FREE
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931

NATIONAL ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST EXPERIMENT

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Interested in learning more about what a volunteer coach does? Join us for refreshments and a short informational presentation. Take the opportunity to speak to current & past youth sport coaches.

Date: February 7
Time: 6-7:30p
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center
Fee (R/NR): Adult 18+: $30/$45, Youth 17 & Under: $20/$30
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984

VOLUNTEER COACH RECRUITMENT EVENT

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Performers of all styles and types play at our historic venue, Springer Cultural Center, on select Fridays.  We have an amazing line up this spring with immensely talented artists providing a wide variety of music.  Bring your lunch or purchase a box lunch through us from Michael’s Catering. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the music.

If you are interested in a lunch, please place your order by noon on the Wednesday prior to a performance at 217-398-2376.  The menu is available at Springer Cultural Center or click the button below to view.

SPRING CONCERTS

February 9, 12-1p
Mahomet Music Club (Classic Rock/Country)

March 1, 12-1p
John McMahon (Guitar/Vocals)

March 22, 12-1p
Solideo Quartet (Classical)

BACH’S LUNCH CONCERTS

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View this upcoming art exhibit at Springer Cultural Center starting February 17th then stop by the reception on February 22 from 5:30-7p to enjoy refreshments, speak to the artists, and have the opportunity to purchase a piece!

In Motion
Catherine C. White & Viktoria Ford

Date: February 17 – March 16
Location: Springer Cultural Center

Reception: Thursday, February 22, 5:30-7p

Exhibit Hours: 

• Monday-Thursday: 8a-8p
• Friday: 8a-6p
• Saturday: 9:30a-2p

ART EXHIBITS

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Catch a movie or a performance at the historic Virginia Theatre! Make sure to follow the Virginia Theatre’s Facebook and Instagram to know when a new show has been added, when a movie is showing or to enter a ticket giveaway!

FEBRUARY EVENTS:

• Feb 3 – RAAS Mania: Illinois’ Premiere Raas & Bhangra Competition (FREE!)
• Feb 8 – The Blues Brothers (1980)
• Feb 9 & 10 – The Magic of Motown
• Feb 16 – Gospel: Where Song and Sermon Meet (2023)
• Feb 17 – Singing in the Rain (1952)
• Feb 24 – That’s What She Said 2024
• Feb 29 – Mar 2 – Into the Woods, presented by CPD Youth Theatre

Click below to explore events and purchase tickets!

The Virginia Theatre

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Because some residents are unable to participate in recreation programs due to economic hardship, the Champaign Park District offers scholarships to reduce certain fees and charges. We now offer both scholarship and registration forms in Spanish! Fill out the form and submit the completed packet in one of the three ways listed on the form.

Questions: Please call 217-398-2550

Scholarship Opportunities