December 2011 Edition

This edition includes:

• It’s snowboarding season!
• Give loved ones a gift of fun!
• A small donation could save a life
• Register Now for activities January - May!
• Rec eNews tip: Try for Free classes start Jan. 3

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• Buy a gift, support an artist
• Rec eNews insider: Parents – take the night off
• Come play in the snow
• At a Glance – upcoming Recreation activities
• Rec eNews Prize – enter to win!

Learn to snowboard!

Teens age 13-18 can learn to snowboard and/or improve those skills in classes offered by the Outdoor Program beginning in January.

Snowboarding Level I, for beginning snowboarders, is offered in partnership with SOS, a values-based snow board program (www.sosoutreach.org) that builds character and self-esteem in youth through outdoor activities. Participants receive three days of instruction, equipment rental, lift tickets, transportation and even clothing, all for just $150!

Snowboarding Intermediate Ride Days, can take teens 13-18 to the next level through achievable challenges in a supportive environment. Some snowboarding experience or Level I Snowboarding required. Participants receive one day of instruction, equipment rental, lift ticket, transportation and clothing, for just $50!

For more information, call 541-682-5329.

Give the gift of Recreation!

This holiday season, give them something truly memorable! Give fun – or good health, a new skill, or an ADVENTURE!

Gift certificates for any amount can be redeemed for any Recreation activity or class. Purchase in person or by phone at any Community Center or Pool.

Sponsor a child to swim

The second leading cause of death for children ages 1-14 is drowning and the Red Cross says the best way to prevent drowning is to learn to swim. Sadly, however, there are children in our community who cannot afford the cost of swimming lessons. Recreation offers scholarships, which help, but the need regularly exceeds those resources.

To give more children the skill of swimming that could literally save their lives, the Aquatics program is now seeking donations to underwrite swim lessons for low-income youth. 100 percent of each donation will go directly to providing swimming lessons to a child.

To donate go to www.eugene-or.gov/recenroll. Use barcodes #97203 to donate one or more sets of lessons at $36 each. Use barcode #97204 to donate in multiples of $10. For more information, contact Aquatics Section Manager Rich Fay at 541-682-5525.

Register now for winter/spring activities and classes

Be among the first to sign up for Recreation activities and classes held Jan. 1 – May 31, including spring break camps. Register online now at www.eugene-or.gov/recenroll.

Remember, to be more sustainable, we’ve changed the way the Recreation Guide is distributed and unless you’ve specifically asked to be placed on the mailing list, you won’t receive a paper guide in the mail.

Use the virtual Guide at www.eugene-or.gov/recguide.

Rec eNews Tip: Try these classes for free!

Getting ready to turn over a new leaf in 2012? These one-day classes are offered for free to allow you to try a new activity before committing to the entire series. Pre-registration is required.

· Yoga – Jan. 3, 9-10 a.m. Petersen Barn Center

· Chair Yoga – Jan. 3, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Petersen Barn Center

· Tai Chi – Jan. 3, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Petersen Barn Center

· Total Body Workout – Jan. 3, 6;45-7:45 p.m. Petersen Barn Center

· Mixed Media Painting – Jan. 3, 6-8 p.m. Petersen Barn Center

· Beginning Line Dance – Jan. 6, 11 a.m.-noon, Campbell Center

· Yoga – Jan. 6, 10-11 a.m., Downtown Library

· Chair Yoga – Jan. 6, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Downtown Library

· Slow and Easy Fitness – Jan. 9, 9-10 a.m. Campbell Center

· Drawing & Composition – Jan. 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Campbell Center

· Strong Bones, Strong Body – Jan. 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Campbell Center

· Yoga – Jan. 10, 9-10 a.m. Lamb Cottage

· Nia Dance/Movement – Jan. 10, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Campbell Center

· Chair Yoga – Jan. 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Lamb Cottage

· Yoga – Jan. 12, 9-10 a.m. Lamb Cottage

· Tai Chi for Arthritis – Jan. 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Campbell Center

· Color Watermedia – Jan. 13, 9:30 a.m.-noon Campbell Center

· Arthritis Land Exercise – Apr. 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Campbell Center

For more information call 541-682-5318.

Classes and presentations cover a range of topics

Adaptive Jewelry Expressions at Holiday Market

Get more from your gift-giving this holiday season. Jewelry handmade by artists with disabilities will be available for purchase at the Holiday Market at the Fairgrounds on Dec. 17 & 18. Proceeds for every sale go directly to the artist!

Rec eNews Insider:

Parents Night Out – Need a night for holiday shopping, gift wrapping, or something else? Drop off the kids (ages 8-13) at Echo Hollow pool for games, a movie and a recreation swim on Monday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. Cost is $20 for the first child, $10 for each additional child. Register online or for more information, call 541-682-5525.

Time to play in the snow!

Learn to cross country ski, improve your XC ski skills, or enjoy the quiet beauty of winter on a snowshoe outing. The Outdoor program offers several opportunities for fun in the snow this winter.

Beginners will learn how to cross country ski on or off trail with one-day outings in December, January and February. You’ll learn skills needed for competent cross country skiing: slide, glide, turn, And stop! At required evening meetings held in advance of each trip date, you’ll learn about clothing, equipment, and ski waxing. Transportation and trail pass included in $49 fee. Provide/rent skis.

Advance your XC abilities in “the confidence builder” level II class in February. It’s designed to help you develop control on hills and efficiency on the ups, downs, and in-betweens. $49 fee includes transportation and trail pass. Provide/rent skis.

A variety of snowshoe outings in December, January and February cover the beginner to experienced, and even the family! Snowshoeing is great exercise and a great way to get out in winter. Beginners will learn about snowshoes, bindings, footwear and off-trail techniques, and the trips will focus on having fun. For the more experienced snowshoe-er, take in the sites of a variety of locations, and hunt for animal tracks and signs. Outings include transportation and trail passes. Provide/rent snowshoes. $20-$45.

For more information, go to www.eugene-or.gov/recenroll and use the advanced search for keywords “ski” or “snow”, or call 541-682-5329.

** See the Rec eNews prize and enter to win a discount on winter recreation!**

Help Enrich Lives - Volunteer in Recreation!

Recreation Services needs volunteers for various duties and events all year round. The program is currently recruiting volunteers to be guides for the Alpine Adventures ski program for people with physical disabilities.

Volunteers must be an intermediate or better skier or snowboarder and are needed Fridays and Sundays from January through March. Volunteers will receive a full day of training, free transportation and lift tickets for ski days.

To volunteer or for information about Alpine Adventures or other volunteer opportunities in Recreation’s six program areas: Youth and Family, Adult, Adaptive, Aquatics, Athletics, and Outdoor Recreation, visit www.eugene-or.gov/recvolunter, call Gayle Hein 541-682-6327 or send her an email.

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At a Glance - Upcoming Events

Here are just some Eugene Recreation activities coming up in the next few weeks. For details about these and many other activities and events, visit the Eugene Recreation online calendar (or call where numbers are listed).

Congratulations to the November Rec eNews winners! Marilyn Marcus, Janice Lee and Clifford Fountain each won a one-day pass to Echo Hollow Pool that can be used for the new arthritis land fitness class or any other class at the pool.

Enter to win the December Rec eNews prize: $20 toward registration in an Outdoor activity or class. To enter, email: recreation@ci.eugene.or.us with the subject, “reward”. The winner will be selected Dec. 28 and notified by email.

For information about Eugene Recreation programs and activities, or to register online, go to www.eugene-or.gov/recenroll