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Youth & Teen
3rd – 7th Graders
Science. Technology. Engineering. Art. Mathematics. This is what makes up STEAM. Various science organizations from UIUC, in partnership with X-Time, are excited to introduce you to the wonderful world of STEAM and all that it entails. This is NOT a drop off event.
- January 4 | Deadline: December 28
- January 18 | Deadline: January 11
- February 1 | Deadline: January 25
Day: Thursday
Time: 5-6p
Fee (R/NR): $5/$7.50
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
Ages 7-14
Be a planet superhero! Kids will learn to live a life that keeps our planet clean! This is a drop off event.
DATE | TOPIC | DEADLINE
- January 16 | Reduce and Reuse | January 9
Day: Tuesday
Time: 5-6p
Fee (R/NR): $10/$15
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
1st-3rd & 4th-6th graders
Do you enjoy creating, building, and imagining with LEGO? Learn engineering and design skills through guided hands-on exploration. Create animals, buildings, simple machines, transportation, and build your own LEGO creations.
- January 10
- January 24
- February 14
- February 28
- March 13
- March 27
- April 10
- April 24
- May 8
- May 22
Day: Wednesday
Time: 5-6p
Deadline: January 3
Location: Martens Center
Fee (R/NR): $30/$45
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
Ages 5+
Join us as we learn something new about Illinois with the Champaign Country Forest Preserve District’s Museum and Education Department. Each session will focus on a different topic related to Illinois and will include engaging hands-on activities and more!
- All About Owls
- January 25
- Deadline: January 20
Day: Thursday
Time: 5:30-6:30p
Fee (R/NR): $5/$7.50 per session
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
Ages 10+; participants under 18 must have a registered adult with them.
OSF HealthCare will be teaching children about improving mental health through exercise, healthy eating, and limiting time on electronic devices. The children can take part in an obstacle course and art activities, and are introduced to healthy drink options.
This is a great field trip opportunity for schools and home-schoolers.
- January 30 | Deadline: January 23
Day: Tuesday
Fee (R/NR):Free, registration is required.
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
Sports & Fitness
2nd-8th Graders
Have fun and learn to play the game! The Champaign Park District and Prime Time Volleyball Club have teamed up to provide a volleyball program designed to focus on the technique and skills of each player. All coaches are selected by the Prime Time Volleyball Club. These clinics will concentrate on developing the ability to pass, set, spike, and serve the ball. Players are introduced to the basics and move to more advanced skills.
AGE | DATE | DAY | TIME | FEE (R/NR) | DEADLINE
- 2nd-5th Grade | January 8 – February 19* | 5:30-6:30p | M | $68/$102 | December 27
- 6th-8th Grade | January 8 – February 19* | 6:30-7:45p | M | $68/$102 | December 27
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center
Late Registration: You may register if there are openings.
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984
Grades K-1st, 2nd-5th
Led by former Illini and Professional basketball player, Trent Meacham, players will learn basketball fundamentals and character-building skills.
GRADES | TIME
K-1st | 8:30-9:45a
2nd-5th | 10-11:30a
Fee (R/NR): $55/$82.50, includes free t-shirt
Deadline: December 28
Instructor: Trent Meacham and his instructor team
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984
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 | January 9 – 30 | 6-6:45p | January 2
5-6 | January 9 – 30 | 7-7:45p | January 2
Fee (R/NR): $57/$85.50
Location: Martens Center
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984
Ages 15+
Drop in and sample fitness classes throughout the day, such as hip hop, yoga, Zumba and much more! Meet various fitness instructors and vendors specializing in the world of fitness.
Date: January 6
Time: 10a-5p
Fee (R/NR): FREE
Location: Martens Center
Ages 18+
Enhance your pickleball skills at Pickleball Skills and Drills. All skill levels are welcome. Focus will be on the development of pickleball fundamentals from drop shots, dinks, and overhead smashes, to serves and ball placement. Join the fun and learn a new skill.
Day: Tuesday/Thursday
Date: January 16 – February 1
Time: 10a-12p
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center
Fee (R/NR): $81/$121.50
Deadline: January 2
Equipment Required: Pickleball Paddle
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984
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.
50 Plus!
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
These exercise sessions focus on providing you with a great workout while in the support of a chair. Focus on stretch and strength, core fitness, and yoga. No matter your preference, you are sure to burn calories!
HAYS RECREATION CENTER
Year round+ | M/W | 9:30 – 10:15a
Questions: call Jean at 217-239-1152 or email at veronica.cousett@champaignparks.org
DOUGLASS ANNEX
Year round* | M/W/F | 9-10a
Questions: call Robert at 217-819-3961 or email at robert.white@champaignparks.org
Fee (M/NM): Free with membership/$4 per session
Ring in the new year with party hats, trivia, and friends at Hays Recreation Center!
Date: December 29
Day: F
Time: 12p
Location: Hays Recreation Center
Fee (M/NM): Free/$5
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
- January 10 | Denny’s | Deadline: January 3
Day: Wednesday
Time: 11a
Fee: Cost of your meal
Sign up in the Senior Binder at Hays Recreation Center or call 217-239-1152
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.
- January 10 | Springfield, Illinois
- Illinois State Museum
- Deadline: January 5
- Fee (Members Only): $30
- Illinois State Museum
Share your great ideas with us about new programs and activities or give your thoughts on what is already offered for 50 Plus programs at the Senior Meetings.
Date: January 8
Time: 1:30-2:30p
Fee (M/NM): Free
Location: Douglass Annex
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.
- January 23 | Deadline: January 16
Time: 3-4p
Fee : Free, but registration required
Location: Martens Center
Instructor: OSF Staff
Douglass Annex
512 E. Grove St
Champaign, IL 61820
Robert White
robert.white@champaignparks.org
Hays Recreation Center
1311 W. Church Street
Champaign, IL 61821
Jean Cousett
veronica.cousett@champaignparks.org
Events & More
Enjoy holiday lights for FREE every Thursday – Sunday, until December 31 at Prairie Farm. This will be an accessible experience featuring festive light displays throughout the farm. Cocoa will be available for purchase to enjoy as you journey though a winter wonderland.
Time: 5 – 9p
All Ages
Come celebrate our Noon Year’s Eve Day event on New Year’s Eve! This celebration is a family-friendly event for children to experience the New Year’s Drop with their family at noon rather than having to stay up until midnight. Noon Year’s Eve includes activities, music, crazy hats, noisemakers, a countdown to the big moment, and a drop of thousands of balloons.
Date: Sunday, December 31
Fee: FREE
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3971
Shake off the winter blues and embrace this winter run! Don’t (snow)flake out your fitness routine, test your endurance in this chip-timed Frozen 5K. The first 250 registrants are guaranteed to receive swag (winter hat & mug)!
Date: January 13
Time: 9a
Location: Carle at the Fields
Fee (R/NR): Adult 18+: $30/$45, Youth 17 & Under: $20/$30
Deadline: Friday, January 12 (race swag not promised). On-site registration, 8-8:30a (race swag not promised).
Questions: ryan.hays@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3985
Above and Below
Charles & Sarah Wisseman
Date: January 16 – February 8, 2024
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Reception: Thursday, February 1, 5:30-7p
Exhibit Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 8a-8p
- Friday: 8a-6p
- Saturday: 9:30a-2p
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!
JANUARY EVENTS:
- January 10: Mania: The Abba Tribute
- January 18: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- January 19: Passing (2021)
- January 20: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- January 24: Dinosaur World Live!
Click below to explore events and purchase tickets!
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
