By Heidi Anders

Recreation Supervisor

Reality show fans and outdoors enthusiasts, rejoice: “The Amazing Race” returns to Van Buren. The family-friendly scavenger hunt around the Baldwinsville area will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Van Buren Park, located at 7350 Canton St. in Baldwinsville.

Teams will be asked to solve clues, perform challenges and tour the Baldwinsville area as they compete for prizes. The Amazing Race features both mental challenges, such as putting together puzzle pieces to form a picture of the next destination, and physical challenges, like melting a block of ice to uncover a clue.

We are looking for teams of four to participate in an all-day race. The cost is $60 per team. 

Little Boys Basketball

The Little Boys Basketball skills camp is for boys from pre-K to second grade. The camp is intended to teach the basic fundamentals and rules of basketball. Participants will learn how to dribble, pass, catch, shoot and move while playing both offense and defense. If there is enough time at the end, participants will also have the opportunity for some team play.

The class will be held from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 16 to Oct. 21 (with the exception of Oct. 7) at Van Buren Park. The cost of the class is $30.

Boater Safety Course 

The parks and rec department will host a three-day boater safety course in October. The class will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 5, 12 and 19 at Van Buren Town Hall, 7575 Van Buren Road, Baldwinsville.

The course features instructors from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and satisfies every state’s safety requirements for pleasure boating. Upon completion of the class, certificates will be available without a waiting period or having to mail anything. Registration costs $35.

Halloween Fun Fest

The Town of Van Buren Halloween Fun-Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Van Buren Park.        .

For kids, the day will feature carnival-style games, a bounce house, refreshments, pumpkin decorating, hay wagon rides and more. We will also have knockerball and a pumpkin derby running for adults starting around noon. 

Pricing for the event can be found on townofvanburen.com.

To register for these programs, contact the Van Buren parks and rec department at 638-4727 or [email protected]. The Van Buren parks and recreation department is located at Van Buren Central Park, 7350 Canton St., Baldwinsville. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about current and upcoming programs, visit townofvanburen.com/parks-and-recreation or like “Town of Van Buren” on Facebook.