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Youth & Teen
Ages 8+
These one-on-one drum lessons are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. All styles including rock, jazz, funk, Latin, and blues are taught. Lessons are 30 minutes in length and meet once per week. A drum set is available for the lessons, but a drum pad and sticks are recommended for students to purchase for practice.
Dates: September 14 – October 19
Deadline: September 7
Fee (R/NR): $100/$150
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
Students who wish to have a longer private lesson may register for more than one time slot.
Join members of the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society, Inc. on select Saturdays for an evening under the stars. See the stars and planets through the largest public telescope in East Central Illinois. All skywatch sessions are cancelled in the event of cloudy weather (visit cuas.org.). No registration required.
Date: September 5, 2022
Day: Saturday
Location: CUAS Observatory, 926 County Road 700E, Champaign
Questions: sean.hurst@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3901
Ages 5-11
Put your creativity to work using recycled resources, glue, paint, and more! We supply the materials, you supply the creativity. New fun ideas will be posted in each 2-hour studio time slot. Let your inner art beast loose with us!
- Saturday, September 10 | Deadline: September 3
- Saturday, September 24 | Deadline: September 17
Time: 10:30a – 12:30p
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $15/$22.50
Min/Max: 5/12
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
If you are at least 13 years of age, enthusiastic, hardworking, and willing to learn, we can coordinate volunteer hours for you. This is a great opportunity to acquire new skills, gain valuable work experience, and complete high school volunteer hours. Teen volunteers are permitted to work a maximum of 25 hours per week. A waiver must be printed, signed and mailed/dropped off:
Volunteer Coordinator – Jarod Lake
Hays Recreation Center
1311 W. Church St., Champaign IL 61821
For more information, please contact Jarod at volunteer@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3926
Sports & Fitness
Enhance your pickleball skills this fall with our first ever Pickleball Skills and Drills Clinics. Clinics will be led by our local pickleball club and all skill levels are welcome. The instructors will focus on the development of pickleball fundaments from drop shots, dinks, overhead smash, to serves, and ball placement. Sign up by September 23 to join the fun and learn a new skill!
Day: Tuesday/Thursday
Date: October 4-20, 2022
Time: 9-11a
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center
Deadline: September 23, 2022
Late Registration: If there are openings, a $10 late fee will be added.
Equipment Required: Pickleball Paddle
Instructor: Champaign-Urbana Pickleball
Questions: cody.flowers@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3983
En Garde! Add a new twist to your fall schedule by signing up for a six-week introduction to fencing! Participants will learn through footwork, drills, small group instruction, and open fencing with varied adult ages. Fencers should come dressed to work hard in loose clothing (no denim jeans) and tennis shoes. All fencing equipment is provided.
Date: Fridays. September 9 – October 14
Time: 7-8p
Fee (R/NR): $90/135*
*Additional $10 fee for U.S. Fencing Association Non-Competitive Membership per participant. Register online separately at www.usafencing.org/page/show/698114-individual-memberships
Deadline: August 26, 2022
Questions: cody.flowers@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3983
We are pumped to bring Strength Training back to the Leonhard Recreation Center. Tone and sculpt your whole body. Participants learn the building blocks you need to help you transform your body. This class is designed for all fitness levels! Deadline to sign up for the second session is September 27!
Date: October 14 – November 10
Day: Tuesday/Thursday
Time: 10-10:45a
Fee (R/NR): $60/90
Deadline: September 27
We are searching for some fun and energetic Group Fitness Instructors to lead classes at our facilities. Help us get C-U moving by teaching the following classes:
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Bootcamp
- Yolates
- Zumba
- Strength Training
- Aerobics
Apply on our mobile app or website today!
50 Plus!
TGIF! End your week with fun people and a game of bingo. Prepare to have a great time! Champaign Park District will provide the prizes.
Hays Recreation Center: September 2, September 16 | 10a – 12p
Douglass Annex: September 9 | 1-3p
Fee (M/NM): Free/ $3 per session
Day: Friday
Deadline: Must register weekly by 7 days prior to the program date
For Questions, Call DeBorah at 217-239-1152
Ever wonder how the Amish do it? Join us as we head to Amish Country to find out. We’ll enjoy shopping and exploring, followed by a real Amish meal in an Amish home at noon. The cost of meal is included. All trips start from Hays Center.
Day: Friday, September 23
Time: 10a-3p
Fee: $40
Deadline: September 15
Call DeBorah at 217-239-1152
Whether you would like to learn about email or even troubleshoot some sort of tech, Tech Talk 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. September’s class takes place at the Douglass Annex on Thursday, September 8th.
Time: 1-2:30p
Fee (M/NM): Free/$3 per session
For Questions, Call Robert at 217-398-2572
Events & More
Don’t miss the inaugural West Side Arts! On September 17 at West Side Park, the Champaign Park District and 40 North will join up to bring artists and art lovers together for a free juried art festival. Join us from 10a-5p to purchase and pursue amazing local and regional art showcasing a multitude of mediums!
Interested in being an event sponsor? Click here!
LeAnn Rimes is an international multi-platinum selling acclaimed singer and ASCAP award-winning songwriter who has sold more than 48 million units globally, won 2 Grammy Awards; 12 Billboard Music Awards; 2 World Music Awards; 3 Academy of Country Music Awards; 2 Country Music Association Awards, and 1 Dove Award.
Come see LeAnn Rimes at the Virginia Theatre on Friday, September 9th at 7:30p. You don’t want to miss this showstopping performance!
This show highlights the best of show and blue ribbon winners from the county shows held in the spring. Amateur artists from towns across Illinois, including our own Champaign County, will display their unique pieces at the show. Original work from both youth and adult divisions are displayed for public viewing. This show starts August 27 – September 17th at Springer Cultural Center.
We’re rockin’ the parks this September with four #ParksRock Scavenger Hunts! A new set of painted rocks will be hidden for you at Champaign parks and trails to find every Saturday in September. Prizes will be available for those who find a painted rock & submit a photo by September 30. You also get to keep the painted rocks you find!
- September 3: Avengers Assemble | 14 Rocks
- September 10: Become the Very Best (Kanto Region) | 8 Rocks
- September 17: Dragon Balls Resurface | 7 Rocks
- September 24: One Rock to Rule Them All | 1 Rock
To help guide you to victory, the list of 30 Champaign parks & trails where you can find them will be released on September 1, 2022!
Questions: rachel.voss@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3932
Less than bewitched by last year’s Halloween outfits? Creating closet room for a new costume? Donate your old threads and give kids a night of happy haunting!
DONATE: September 19-October 13, any Champaign Park District facility
GIVEAWAY: Sat, October 15, 10a-noon or until costumes are gone at Douglass Community Center
Donation of items is not required to pick up a new costume. A limited number of people will be admitted to shop at a time.
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2573
