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Enrichment

Enrichment - Why is it important?

Enrichment programming plays a crucial role in community development by providing individuals with opportunities to learn, grow, and connect. These programs foster personal and social development, encourage lifelong learning, and promote physical and mental well-being. By offering a diverse range of activities, from arts and crafts, to STEM, to fitness and educational workshops, enrichment programs help participants discover new interests, develop valuable skills, and build meaningful relationships. At York Parks and Recreation, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our community through engaging and accessible enrichment opportunities.

Interested in volunteering?

We're always looking for volunteers to help us provide high quality programming. All volunteers must complete a Background Check Authorization Form and submit to our office before beginning.  

 

Listed Alphabetically

Art Club with Alexis at VES - Grades K-1

Art Club at Village Elementary - Grades K-1

Let's create! Art Club artists will use a variety of art supplies to create original works of art. We will explore 2D and 3D materials, as well as artistic processes and techniques. The nature of this art club will be "Open Studio" style, where artists choose materials to create their own unique vision. Art Club is available to enrolled kindergarteners and first grade students at Village Elementary who love art and want to spend more time in the art studio creating. Bring a snack and a creative spirit!

INSTRUCTOR:      Alexis Kochka
REGISTRATION:  Ongoing
SESSIONS:         Session 1: September 30th-December 9th (No Club October 14th or November 11th)
                          Session 2: January 6th-March 17th (No Club January 20th or February 17th)
                          Session 3: March 31st-June 9th (No Club April 21st or May 26th)
COST:                 $120.00 Resident / $130.00 Non-Resident
LOCATION:         Village Elementary Art Room
DAY:                  Mondays
TIME:                 2:45pm-4:00pm

Sign Up Here for Session 1
Sign Up Here for Session 2
Sign Up Here for Session 3

Curtain Callers: Festive Follies - Grades 3-6

Festive Follies
Grades 3-6

Join us for a fun and engaging weekly workshop where kids will come together to prepare for special performances on Veterans Day and during the holiday season! Through this program, children will learn various aspects of performance arts, including singing, acting, and stage presence. Participants will not only develop their talents but also build teamwork and confidence. Let’s make these holiday events memorable with heartfelt performances honoring our veterans and celebrating the festive season. All skill levels are welcome!

INSTRUCTOR:     Megan Milburn
REGISTRATION:  Ongoing until September 15th
STARTS:             September 16th
ENDS:                December 13th
COST:                $250.00
LOCATION:         York Community Auditorium
DAY:                  Rehearsals on Mondays
TIME:                3:30pm-4:30pm
                         PERFORMANCES:
                         Festival of Frights, October 25th
                         Veteran's Day, November 11th
                         Polar Express, December 5th & 6th
                         Festival of Lights, December 7th
                         Parks and Rec Variety Show, December 13th

Sign Up Here

Curtain Callers: Improv - Grades 3-6

Curtain Callers Improv Group - Grades 3rd-6th

Do you like creating something out of nothing? Do you like to play? Can you be spontaneous and think on your feet? Do you enjoy working as part of a team? The York Arts Club is looking for you!! Come get those creative juices flowing in this drama club focusing on the art of improvisational theater.
During this 6-week session, we will be learning the basics of improv. We will learn how to work together, being creative on the spot, and building foundations in character development and physical expression. Students will be able to let their creativity flourish in this dramatic environment without having to rely on a script!

Transportation is not provided.

REGISTRATION: Ongoing until January 1st
STARTS:            January 6th
ENDS:               February 10th
COST:               $125.00
LOCATION:        York Community Auditorium
DAY:                 Mondays
TIME:               3:30pm-4:30pm

Sign Up Here

Curtain Callers: Memorial Day - Grades 3-6

Memorial Day Performance - Grades 3-6

Join us for a meaningful and inspiring workshop where kids will come together to prepare for a special Memorial Day performance. This program will focus on teaching children the arts of singing, acting, and stage presence, while instilling a sense of respect and honor for those who have served our country. Participants will develop their talents, team work, and confidence as they work toward a heartfelt tribute. All skill levels are welcome. Performance at the Memorial Day Parade.

REGISTRATION: Ongoing until April 1st
STARTS:            April 7th
ENDS:               May 26th
COST:               $125.00
LOCATION:        York Community Auditorium
DAY:                 Mondays
TIME:               3:30pm-4:30pm

Sign Up Here

Curtain Callers: Theater Boot Camp - Grades 3-6

Theater Boot Camp - Grades 3-6

The York Arts Club Performers, the Curtain Callers, is looking for kids who want to get those creative juices flowing in this drama boot camp, focusing on the basics of theater. During this 6-week session, we will be learning about stage direction, speaking, singing, acting, and blocking. Students will learn how to project their voices, think quickly, and work as part of a team while building their confidence.

REGISTRATION: Ongoing until February 21st
STARTS:            February 24th
ENDS:               March 31st
COST:               $125.00
LOCATION:        York Community Auditorium
DAY:                 Mondays
TIME:               3:30pm-4:30pm

Sign Up Here

Design a Yak! - All Ages

The York Arts Company needs your help in designing a YAK as our mascot. Show off your art skills by designing a YAK for the Y.A.C. One design will be chosen to be the official mascot for the year. Since Yaks are herd animals, it is only right for all other designs to be featured in the YAC SpotLight!! Submitted Yaks will join the YAK PACK and each new edition of the Spotlight will feature a new member of the pack.

Submissions for the official YAK-for-the-year are due by the end of the day on October 1st. All other submissions will be accepted year-round to join the YAK pack.

Hard copy submissions may be brought to the Parks & Recreation office at The Grant House, 200 US RT1, York Maine. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm

Digital submissions can be sent to Megan Milburn at mmilburn@yorkmaine.org.

Gymnastics - Grades K-2

COMING SOON!

Stay tuned for updates. We are hoping to bring this program to the community starting this winter!

Gymnastics - Grades 3-5

COMING SOON!

Stay tuned for updates. We are hoping to bring this program to the community starting this winter!

Hot Wheels Garage - Ages 5-8

Hot Wheels Garage - Ages 5-8
 
Playing with cars is FUN! And it’s beneficial for child development. Playing with toy cars provides an opportunity for the development of social skills and aids in emotional and physical development. During this 5-week session, we will build a variety of tracks, create life-like destinations, and create scenarios such as racing, crashing, oil changes, and more. Some structure will be provided, but participant imagination will be the “driving” force in this program. Participants are invited to bring their favorite Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars & trucks, but there will also be plenty of cars and props available to share. We hope you will plan to join Recreation Coordinator, Andy Kaherl (a real-life race car driver) for this fun-filled creative play program. Each participant will receive a Hot Wheels car on the first day.

REGISTRATION:    Ongoing until full, space is limited.
STARTS:                    February 24th (no meeting on March 17th)
ENDS:                        March 31st
COST:                        $45.00 Resident / $55.00 Non-Resident
LOCATION:             Center for Active Living, 36 Main St. York
DAY:                          Mondays
TIME:                       4:30pm-5:30pm

 

Mad Science: Fantastic Forces - Grades K-4

Mad Science – Fantastic Forces!
Grades K-4

Explore fantastic forces like inertia, gravity, and centripetal force by launching race cars, spinning bike wheels, and hurling ping-pong balls with rubber band-powered catapults. Delve into the principles of tension and compression, experimenting to discover the strongest shapes. Build an earthquake-proof structure using toothpicks and marshmallows and test its resilience under simulated seismic activity! Investigate the properties of air resistance by designing and testing parachutes and learn about the science behind everyday machines by creating simple levers and pulleys.

There will be no busing from VES or CRES! Parents must provide transportation to and from the program.

INSTRUCTOR:    Mad Science Instructor
REGISTRATION: Ongoing
STARTS:            April 10th (No program 4/24)
ENDS:               June 5th
COST:               $175.00 Resident / $180.00 Non-Resident
LOCATION:        York Middle School - Cafeteria
DAYS:               Thursdays
TIME:                3:30pm-4:30pm

Sign Up Here

Mad Science: Stem Odyssey - Grades K-4

Mad Science – STEM Odyssey!
Grades K-4

Children will explore the fascinating concepts of heat and heat transfer through engaging demonstrations using tools like heat guns and thawing blocks, showcasing the roles of temperature-sensitive equipment in our everyday lives. The class covers the basic physical principles of magnetism, where children will use compasses to understand how humans benefit from the Earth's magnetic force. Nutrition and fitness are key components, emphasizing the essential elements of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Through captivating demonstrations and activities, children will be introduced to the concepts of refraction, the science of optics, and the biology of sight.

There will be no busing from VES or CRES! Parents must provide transportation to and from the program.

INSTRUCTOR:    Mad Science Instructor
REGISTRATION: Ongoing
STARTS:            January 23rd (No program 2/20)
ENDS:               March 20th
COST:               $175.00 Resident / $180.00 Non-Resident
LOCATION:        York Middle School - Cafeteria
DAYS:               Thursdays
TIME:                3:30pm-4:30pm

Sign Up Here

Mad Science: Crazy Chemworks - Grades K-4

Mad Science – Crazy Chemworks!
Grades K-4

Polymers are everywhere! From ooze to bubbles, gum to goo, squeeze and stretch your mind around the science of slime. You will have polymers bouncing, jumping, and pulled to new heights during the Slime Games! Build a bond with glue and become attached to science! Identify chemical change clues, recognize physical and chemical reactions, and mix up ingredients for WOW results! Perform instantaneous experiments and have a blast!

There will be no busing from VES or CRES! Parents must provide transportation to and from the program.

INSTRUCTOR:    Mad Science Instructor
REGISTRATION: Ongoing
STARTS:            October 17th (No program 10/31 or 11/28)
ENDS:               December 19th
COST:               $175.00 Resident / $180.00 Non-Resident
LOCATION:        York Middle School - Cafeteria
DAYS:               Thursdays
TIME:                3:30pm-4:30pm

Sign Up Here

Safe Sitter - Ages 11+

Safe Sitter - Must be 11 and up

This course is intended to improve your child’s care skills needed for babysitting. Founded in 1980, Safe Sitter® is the only national nonprofit training program exclusively devoted to preparing young teens to be safe in unsupervised settings, whether babysitting, sibling sitting or home alone.

The Safe Sitter® curriculum is designed exclusively for young teens in grades 6-8, and covers the following areas: safety skills, childcare skills, first aid & rescue skills, and life & business skills. Safe Sitter® courses are instructor-led and interactive, with hands-on demonstrations and skills practice using soft-bodied dolls and medical manikins. Your child will be very prepared to start their babysitting career. Each student completing the course will receive a certificate that verifies this training for caring of small infants and toddlers. The Safe Sitter course has a great deal of information presented in a short period of time. It is important you are available for the entire class.

Please bring a snack and drink.

Please sign up early, as we need to order books ahead of time and don’t want you to miss out!!!!

INSTRUCTOR:    Melissa Nickerson
REGISTRATION: Ongoing
DAY & DATE:      Tuesday, February 18th
COST:                $125.00 Resident / $135.00 Non-Resident
                         Cost includes a $40.00 book fee
LOCATION:         York Middle School Wildcat Room
TIME:                 9:00am-3:00pm

Sign Up Here

Want more summer fun in York?

Visit our event calendar to view special events and seasonal programs.