Events and Activities : “Out on a Limb” with the Parks & Recreation Department

This is the time of year, when our department is doing lots and lots of special events around the holiday and winter break.  Take a look at the activities listed below and get involved in some great entertainment.  With Christmas falling on a Tuesday, this year, our facilities won’t get affected too much.  The Recreation Center will be closing at 4:00 on the 24th and then be closed on Christmas day. 

Make sure you watch for the 2013 Leisure Guide that should be inserted in your Livewire on Wednesday, December 19th.Take a look and start marking your calendar with activities for the whole family throughout the year.  Let us know if you have any comments, questions or concerns about the upcoming year. 

We have a lot of events and programs coming up soon, most of the youth will be receiving the flyers on the programs through their Friday folders at school.  If you do not receive the information, go to our website or stop by the Vinton Recreation Center to get the flyers. 

Don’t forget, you can always find out more information at our website at vprdzone.com or for more information on these programs or any of our programs, stop by the VPRD office located at the Vinton Recreation Center. 

Upcoming Programs & Activities:  

Breakfast with Santa/Saturday, December 8th - 9:00 a.m. at the Skate & Activity Center.  Join in the fun at the annual breakfast with Santa Clause.  This is for the whole family, so make sure you get your list of the items you want from Santa ready and don’t forget to sign up by Wednesday, December 5th at the VPRD office. All kids will not only get to eat with Santa, they will also get a really cool picture with Santa and of course a goody bag from Santa. 

Kids Craft Day/Saturday, December 8th  This craft day is for all kids in grades kindergarten through fourth grade.  The craft day takes place at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center from 11:30 – 1:30 but you need to pre-register by Wednesday, December 5th at the VPRD office 

Winter Carnival/Thursday, December 27th – Don’t get stuck in the house for the entire Winter Break, get out and have some fun at the Winter Carnival at the Skate Center on Thursday, December 27th.   The carnival will be from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and is for all youth 5th grade & younger.  Tickets to play the games are only 10 cents and everyone is guaranteed to go home a winner.  No pre-registration is necessary, just show up and have some fun. 

Winter Break Dodgeball/Friday, December 28th – The action will be fast and furious and the annual Youth Dodgeball Tournament.   Registration will take place from 8:30 – 8:45 with the games beginning at 9:00 a.m.  This is for all youth in grades 3rd – 8th.  Divisions are as follows:  3 & 4/5 & 6/7 & 8/ cost is $10 per team and is limited to the first 8 teams registered in each division.  The tournament will be held in the racquetball courts of the Vinton Recreation Center. 

New Years Eve at Noon/Friday, December 28th - Join the fun at this bash that celebrates the New Year a little early.  This party, that is co-sponsored by the Benton County 4-H, includes skating, dancing, lunch, games, party favors and a lot more.  This is for all kindergarten through 5th grade youth.  Cost is only $7.00 for all of this great time.  The event will be from 10:30 – 1:00 at the Skate and Activity Center.  Pre-registration is cheaper and preferred. 

 On Going Programs:  

Tot Lot/ This program is designed for all youth in pre-school or younger.  Tot Lot is held at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center on Mondays & Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  This not only gives kids a chance to burn off some energy and interact with other kids but it is also a great place for parents, grandparents and babysitters to have a few hours each week socializing and having fun with other adults.  Participants may pay each day or purchase a season pass for the entire program.  There are reduced rates for multiple kids from the same family or babysitter.  Has started up and runs through February 27. 

Tae Kwon Do/Held at the Vinton Recreation Center on Tuesdays & Thursday evenings.  Stop by the Recreation Center to watch the class or for more information. 

Circuit Training/Get a total workout with this circuit program of 17 different machines in under an hour.  This program is held at the middle school on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Register at the VPRD office.  This will run through May. 

Lap Swim/We are currently offering a lap swim program for those who would like to keep in shape or are training for their next triathlon.  The pool will be open at the IBSSS on specific dates from 6:10 – 7:15 a.m.  Stop by the Recreation Center to get specific dates and cost.  Everyone must pre-register for each session at the VPRD office.  There will be sessions available through mid-January. 

 Don’t forget you can always go to the Recreation Center during open hours to work out on the exercise equipment.  Walking can be done in the gym, treadmill or our elliptical fitness piece.  The Recreation Center is open the following hours: 

Monday – Friday7:00 a.m. –   8:00 p.m. 

Saturdays10:00 a.m. -  8:00 p.m. 

Sundays1:00 pm.   –  5:00 p.m. 

     Listed below are the hours for open skating.  We are taking reservations for groups.  If you are interested in renting the skate center for a birthday party, youth group gathering, or any get together, give us a call at the recreation center and we will set up a date for you.  Stop out and have some fun. 

Weekly Schedule for the Skate & Activity Center:  

Open Skating 

Friday           7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  

Saturday7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  

Sunday           2:00 – 4:00 p.m.(IROAR 12/ 2 & 12/16) 

Walking: 

            Monday, Wednesday & Friday          8:00 – 9:00 a.m. 

Calendar of Upcoming Events: (Clip & Save) 

December  2IROAR Racing at Skate Center/All day 

December  3Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

December  5Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

December  8Breakfast with Santa/Skate & Activity Center 9:00 a.m. 

December  8Kids Craft Day/Skate & Activity Center 11:30 a.m. 

December10Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

December12Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

December 13VPRD Board Meeting/Recreation Center 6:00 a.m. 

December16IROAR Racing at Skate Center/All day 

December  17Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

December19Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

December 25Recreation Center Closed/Merry Christmas!! 

December 27Winter Carnival/Skate & Activity Center/9:00 – 11:00 a.m. 

December28Winter Break Dodgeball Tourney/Recreation Center 

December 28New Years Eve at Noon/Skate & Activity Center/10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Don’t forget, we will take all your bottles and cans that are redeemable for five cents at the parks & recreation department.  If you have cans or bottles and want to get rid of them, bring them to the park shop located just north of the swimming pool, bring them to the recreation center or give us a call and we will come out and get them.   All proceeds go to a fund to help our youth programs.  This program has already made a big impact. 

In closing, if you have any questions concerning our programs, activities, or facilities, gives us a call, stop by or send us an e-mail.   

VPRD Office472-4164 

Skate & Activity Center472-5168 

Director’s E-mailvprdrandall@vintoniowa.net 

Assistant Directorvprdbarker@vintoniowa.net 

Administrative Assistantvprdoffice@vintoniowa.net