By Heidi Anders
Recreation Supervisor

Are you a big fan of “Survivor”? Our department has been diligently working on designing a fabulous day of Survivor Team Challenges on Saturday, June 11. Survivor Team Challenges will be an all day event where teams will be asked to compete in activities that will test the mental, physical and leadership abilities of all involved. Teamwork will be put to the test to determine which tribe is the ultimate survivor.
We will have endurance challenges, puzzle challenges, water balloon launching and more. And, of course, no survivor game is complete without the good old food challenge!
The cost is $150 for a team of six. We will be taking a maximum of eight teams (registration has already begun).

Boater safety course
The town of Van Buren will be holding a boater safety course from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Van Buren Town Hall. This is a comprehensive, one-day boating safety class that provides an opportunity to learn from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The course satisfies the pleasure boat training requirements for all states. Certified instructors of the Coast Guard Auxiliary provide professional instruction, and answers to your boating questions.
The number of students in each class is limited. Advance registration is required. Upon successful completion certificates will be available at the end of class, no waiting, mailing, or extra fees. Successful participants will be offered an opportunity for advanced boat operation training. The cost is $35 per person.

Knockerball league
Knockerball — a form of soccer you play while harnessed into a large plastic bubble — is coming to Van Buren. We will have two six-week knockerball leagues. The first league will begin May 23. The second league will start in mid-July. The league consists of six teams, and each team must have a minimum of six people.
Games are played in Van Buren Central Park from 6 to 6:45 p.m. or 7 to 7:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday or Thursday evenings with makeup games scheduled as necessary.
The 2016 league fee is $230 per team, made up of a nonrefundable $200 participation fee and a $30 forfeit fee. This fee is refundable if you do not forfeit during the season. However, should you forfeit and we need to use this fee to pay the referee, then the fee must be repaid to the parks and recreation office before your team takes the field again!

Van Buren Pool
The Van Buren Pool will open Saturday, June 18. Pool passes are available at the park office. Please call the park office or check our website for pricing information. There will be a $10 discount for family passes if purchased before May 31.

To register for these programs, contact the Van Buren parks and rec 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.