Gurnee Park District notes

For more information or to register, call (847) 623-7788 or visit gurneeparkdistrict.com

All programs require advance registration. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

There is an after-hours drop slot at the south entrance of the Viking Park Administrative Building. Registration and payments by check, Visa or MasterCard only, should be enclosed in a sealed envelope. The drop slot will be emptied at 9 a.m. each business day. There is also a drive-up collection box at the circle drive in Viking Park.

Beginner's basketball: Mini basketball and six-foot hoops make this class an introductory class for kindergartners. Classes begin Sunday and Feb. 17 at the Hunt Club Gym.

Performing arts: The Gurnee Park District offers a variety of performing art classes:

• Let's Put on a Play, a class offered by Cathy's Creative Kids is open to third- through fifth-graders and will begin Monday at the Hunt Club Park Community Center.

• Beginning Thursday, Acting Techniques will be offered to sixth- through eighth-graders at Viking.

• The drama and theater program, Play On! will begin Jan. 15 and is open to first- through fifth-graders.

Metropolis Performing Arts: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre was created in 2000 in response to offer performing arts programs and arts education in the Northwest suburbs.

The Gurnee Park District offers performing arts programs such as Creating Character for kindergarten to first grade and second through third grades. Classes begin Wednesday at the Hunt Club Park Community Center.

Creative writing classes open to third- through eighth-graders will begin Wednesday and Thursday. Classes meet at night.

Basic drawing: In this class, young students work on fine motor development and organizational skills while older children receive training in fundamental drawing techniques. Each session consists of different drawings. All materials are provided.

Open to children ages 3 ½ to 12, classes begin Jan. 14 at the Hunt Club Park Community Center.

Magic class: Children will learn magic tricks that involve cards, ropes, coins, mind-reading and more. All materials are provided. Each child will received a magic kit to take home.

New tricks are taught at each session. The next class begins Jan. 14.

Summer camp staff: The Gurnee Park District is taking applications for summer positions with our camp staff.

Positions available include full-day, half-day, and early childhood camps.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old to work as a counselor and preferably at least 15 years old for a leader in training position.

Call (847) 599-3746 for information or fill out an application at any Gurnee Park District facility or online. Applications will be taken until Feb. 15 or until all positions have been filled.

Introduction to soccer: This program is geared to children ages 4 and 5 who are not in kindergarten. The class emphasizes learning basic skills.

Classes take place at Hunt Club Park Community Center and Gurnee Grade School.

For a listing of dates and times, visit the park district's Web site.

Gift certificates: Gift certificates are available for purchase throughout the year. Purchase a gift certificate for any recreation program, facility or event. Gurnee Park District gift certificates may be purchased in any denomination at the Viking Park registration office.

Fit pass: Membership to the new Hunt Club Park Community Center Fitness Area offers full access to a variety of cardiovascular equipment with personal viewing screens, a full strength equipment line; a variety of free weights, running and walking track; discount on fitness classes and participation in open basketball or volleyball in the gym.

See everything offered at the new Hunt Club Community Center at the park district Web site or pick up a park district brochure at the Hunt Club Fitness Center.

Fit Pass Memberships are on sale via mail or drop off registration or register online on the Web site. The park district offers membership upgrades starting at $10 a month for unlimited group exercise classes, child care, family activity room, rock climbing wall and open gym.

Exercise options: The Hunt Club Park Community Center offers over 20 group exercise classes a week including kick boxing, yoga, group strength, step, boot camp and more.

Personal trainers also are available to all members. Stop by the community center to view their pictures and biographies.

Check out the group exercise schedule online or in person at the Hunt Club Park Community Center. It is not necessary to be a member to join a group exercise class.

Family activity room: The Family Activity Room is open at the Hunt Club Park Community Center at 900 N. Hunt Club Road.

Open to children ages 5 and older, the Family Activity Room is a place for families to play together and for children to drop in and play. For a nominal fee, kids can join activities run by trained counselors.

The room is equipped with games, arts and crafts, computers with family friendly software, foosball table, Dance Dance Revolution Pads, a Lego room and more.

Specialty fitness classes: See the Gurnee Park District brochure for more fitness classes offered at Viking Park Community Center, Heather Ridge, and Hunt Club Community Center.

Some classes include fitness yoga, fit kids, cardio/strength and more.

These classes require pre-registration.

Open gym: Perfect your jump shot or join a pick-up game during open gym at the new Hunt Club Park Community Center.

High school open gym: Perfect your jump shot or join in on a pickup game at the Hunt Club Park Community Center Gym. All participants must show a valid high school I.D. to participate.

Gym is open to ninth- through twelfth-graders from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays.

The fee is $3 for residents and $4 for non-residents. Fit Pass holders pay no fee for open gym.

Rock climbing wall: Challenge friends and family on the 24-foot rock climbing wall at the Hunt Club Park Community Center. For hours of operation, visit the Web site.

Child care room: The Hunt Club Park Community Center Child Care Room accepts children 3 months to 8 years old and up to 25 children. Children 3 months to 24 months require a reservation.

Parents must remain on-site while their children are in the child care room.

The maximum allowable time for children 3 to 24 months is 1.5 hours. The maximum allowable time for children 2 to 6 years is two hours.

The fee is $3 an hour for residents and $4 an hour for nonresidents.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A list of guidelines is available at the Hunt Club Park child care room or at the Hunt Club registration office.

See the fall brochure for information about the child care room and other amenities offered at the Hunt Club Park Community Center. Call the Gurnee Park District at (847) 623-7788 for holiday hours.

After preschool care: Extend a child's preschool day. Children will be escorted from preschool to this program for an afternoon of supervised play. Children must be 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2007 to join this program.

Details are on page 17 of the winter brochure. Registrations are now being accepted for the 2007-2008 school year.

Before & after school care: The park district now offers before and after school care from preschool through eighth grade.

Children will enjoy a morning and/or afternoon of supervised play in a relaxed and recreational environment.

Registrations are being taken for the 2007-2008 school year.

Early childhood programs: There are many activities for children ages 2 to 6 to do during the cold weather months.

Activities include Storybook Cooks and Crafters, Around the World, Lunch Bunch, All By Myself, Computer class, Mad Science, Spanish Club and Introduction to Lego Engineering.

Blossoms and Buds: Join the winter and spring session of Blossoms & Buds, a pre-preschool opportunity for children 2 ½ to 3 ½ years old.

This class is a stepping stone designed to help a child adjust and prepare for preschool.

Classes begin in January at both Hunt Club Park Community Center and Viking Park Community Center.

Fall 2008 preschool: Join a tour of the Viking Park and Hunt Club facilities and see classes in session. Observations and open houses will begin in January. Tours are offered by appointment.

Visit the Web site or see the winter brochure for information about dates, times and how to make an appointment.

Studio dance: The park district is taking registration to join a variety of dance programs open to children as young as 2½ years to adults.

There are beginning classes, jazz, ballet, hip hop and more. Classes begin in January and are offered at the Viking Park Dance Studio and the Hunt Club Dance Studio.

For a complete list of classes, dates and times, visit the Web site or see the winter brochure.

Winter swim programs: The park district offers a variety of swim programs for the family including parent and tot classes, swim tot classes, learn to swim classes, adult swimming classes, springboard diving classes and scuba diving classes.

Registration has begun to join all programs that begin in January.

Kindermusik: Kindermusik class offers music exploration opportunities for children from birth through 4 years old. Choose from Cock-A-Doodle Moo, Dew Drops, Away We Go and Toys I Make, Trips I Take.

Classes being in January and meet at the Hunt Club Park Community Center.