By Sarah Hall

Editor

Among the many programs offered by the town of Clay’s Parks and Recreation Department this summer is its ever-popular Summer Playground program, a free, supervised program available at four playground sites throughout the town. The program is available daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids ages 5 (having completed kindergarten) through 14. Must show proof of residency, proof of child’s age and provide copy of immunization record.  The town also offers a free Pre-School Play Experience and Arts and Crafts Program, as well as an Extended Hour Playground Program for a fee of $125. A complete schedule list of sites is available at townofclay.org. Parents must register their child at the playground site. Opens June 27 and closes Aug. 12.

Arts abound

Numerous art programs are available through the town, as well. From 10 a.m. to 11:30 June 27 to 30, kids ages 7 to 12 can check out Multi-Cultural Art Camp at the Town of Clay Historical Park Welcome Center. Led by LCSD art teacher Patricia Bangson. Fee $60.

A more traditional Art Camp will be offered for kids ages 5 to 12 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 18 to 21 in Room 153-154 at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Kids can explore two-dimensional art, all types of media, Adobe Photoshop in our iMac lab, etc. Daily snack, art smocks, sketchbooks and professional portfolio provided with all other materials for project and art show. Participants should bring a plain white shirt for first day tie-dyeing.  Instructor is C-NS teacher Kara Cook. Fee $85.

Painting in the Air Class teaches participants how to illustrate the sound of music, as well as offering instruction on new artists from history and new ways of incorporating live music into art. Also instructed by Kara Cook, with music provided by Billy Harrison. See townofclay.org for different program dates, ages and fees.

Younger kids can enjoy Silly Jilly’s Music and Movement, a fun way to encourage the development of gross motor, social and listening skills, self-esteem, memory and coordination in children ages 12 months to 4 years.  The class is offered from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays July 11 to Aug. 8 at the Clay Historical Park Welcome Center. Led by NSCSD third grade teacher Jill Welsh. Fee $50.

Aspiring thespians should look to Theatre Camp, where Royal Fairy Tale Summer Theatre will present “Shakespeare in the Rough” — a summer workshop and stage adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing’ with speaking roles for the entire cast. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon July 12 to Aug. 10. Space is limited. Contact Chrissy Clancy at [email protected] or call 652-3800 ext. 137 to register. Fee is $75.

Finally, at 11:30 every Monday, July 11 through Aug. 15, at Clay’s Black Creek Park, “Mrs. Goatley” will provide storytelling and a picnic lunch. Free. Adults must accompany child. Bring own lunch, drink and seating. For more information Email [email protected] or 652-3800 x 137 to register.

Additional youth programs

Recreational Gymnastics: Openings are available from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays. Introduction to gymnastics for boys and girls ages 4 and up at Blaze Gymnastics Center. Fee $80.

History Camp: This year’s camp will focus on learning about Colonial times. The Clay Historical Association will instruct and demonstrate chair caning, quilting, candle making, etc., at the Town of Clay Historical Park from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 5 to 8 for ages 9 to 12 years.  Fee $25.

Bricks 4 Kidz (LEGO) Mash Up: Pick dozens of fun and unique themes and participate with all kinds of building options. Most popular: Minecraft, Super Heroes, Minions, Angry Birds and more. For ages 5 and up at the Town of Clay Historical Park Welcome Center, July 18 to 22. Fee $99.

Safety Village: Two-week safety education and recreation program for children entering kindergarten or first grade utilizing several different components to impart safety lessons concerning fires, buses, swimming pools, poisoning, stranger situations, pedestrian and bicycle safety in fun, non-threatening recreational way. 9 to 10:30 a.m. July 11 to July 22. Fee $45.

In addition, the town offers numerous sports camps, leagues, field trips and more for youth. For more information, check out the Spring and Summer Programs link on the Parks and Recreation page at townofclay.org.

Plein Air Painting and Printmaking

Plein Air or “in the open air” painters work outdoors from direct observation of landscape. Students will learn how to observe and capture the landscape in drawing and watercolor media. They’ll enjoy the area around Town of Clay Historical Park, which is rich in subject matter to draw and paint. Students will ultimately adapt their work into beautiful prints using variety of printmaking methods.  Visit townofclay.org for more information.

Classes are offered from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 5 to 21. Ages 16 to 18 welcome. Cost is $95; includes painting and printing materials. Instructor is Cicero-North Sysracuse Art teacher Jim VanHoven, who has degrees from Wesleyan University and a master of fine arts in painting and printmaking from Yale University School of Art.

Adult fitness programs

Adults in rehabilitation for an injury, who are new to fitness or older adults can try out Gentle Fusion Fitness, which incorporates small weights, stretching, Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi Chuan and light cardio.  Participants should bring a yoga mat, light weights and a hand towel, if you have them.  The program is led by Florence Drago, a certified dance and fitness professional. Gentle Fusion Fitness meets from 9 to 10 a.m. or 4:45 to 5:45 pm. every Tuesday and Thursday monthly at Clay Town Hall, 4401 Route 31, Clay; choose one day or both. The fee is $20 for one day a month or $35 two days a month. Classes are also offered evenings on demand; call for more information.

Another minimal-impact workout is available through Tai Chi Fitness, which involves slow-motion routines and low-impact exercises to help with stress management, balance, circulations and memory cognition. Loose fitting clothes required. The program is led by Blair Campbell, master instructor. Classes meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday monthly at Clay Town Hall, 4401 Route 31, Clay; choose one day or both. The fee is $20 for one day a month or $35 two days a month.

If you’re looking for something a little faster-paced, check out Zumba Fitness, a Latin-inspired dance program as an innovative muscle training program with the addition of light weight toning sticks for total body conditioning. No previous dance or Zumba experience necessary. The program is led by Jeanne Vinette, certified Zumba instructor. The class meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday and/or Wednesday (choose one or two days a week) at the old Clay Town Hall, 4483 Route 31, Clay. The eight-week summer session runs July 11 to Aug. 29. Cost is $40 for one day a week or $65 for two days a week.

Finally, if you’re in the market for something a little more traditional, Session 2 of group golf lessons begins the week of June 13 at Cicero Golf Center with Chuck Jonick and at Hickory Hills Golf Course with Jay Catalano. Some days and times are still available; call for openings. Adult lessons are offered Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings; youth lessons are offered Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Cost is $49 for five weeks for adults or $42 for seniors (over 60) or youth ages 6 to 17.

To register for any of these programs or if you have any questions, call Florence Drago at the Town of Clay Parks and Recreation Department at 652-3800 ext. 139 or email [email protected]. Please fill out separate registration waiver forms and check for each individual program.