Fall is a busy time at the Great Bend Recreation Commission, according to Executive Director Diann Henderson.
For the month of September, GBRC had 1,963 enrollments and offered 913.25 hours of supervised activities. There were 7,581 participants (each time a person participated in an event was counted) of which 3,206 were spectators.
GBRC offers 160 fall activities. So far there have been 2,144 enrolled in fall activities, compared to 1,847 a year ago, Henderson told the GBRC Board when it met Monday.
Program Coordinator Megan Hammeke reported on programs offered to special populations. Tuesday bowling resumed in September with 130 bowlers. Each month, GBRC offers craft projects and a class called Easy Cooking. In September the cooking class made biscuits and the next class will use apples. Hammeke said the cooking classes have been popular, so they plan to start offering them twice a month.
Special populations will also have a Halloween dance this Friday.
Hammeke is also the coordinator for senior programs. She said the first senior citizens’ “prom” last week did not have the attendance she’d hoped for but those who were there had a good time at the event, which was sponsored by Great Bend High School Kayettes.
“A photo booth was set up,” Hammeke said, and the seniors had their photos before the event was over.
Each month, seniors are offered Fit For Life exercise classes, information on topics such as Medicare and crime prevention, and crafts. This month there will also be a Halloween party Oct. 29 at the Senior Center, with second graders from Jefferson School performing.
Stroller Walks, a walking program for parents with children in strollers, recently got underway with 15 enrolled. The program has parents recording their walking time, and continues through March, so there’s still time to sign up and possibly get a free T-shirt, Hammeke said. (If you don't have a little one in a stroller, check out the program Great Bend Walks.)
Sports Director Chris Umphres said a flag football league, youth and adult basketball, outdoor soccer, instructional volleyball for elementary students and adult volleyball are all starting.
Leisure Program Coordinator Garet Fitzpatrick was unable to attend Monday’s meeting, but Henderson submitted his report, noting Fitzpatrick has already purchased 95 pumpkins for upcoming GBRC activities. Last week’s middle school dance was attended by 148 students. Upcoming programs include What’s in a Snack, today and Oct. 25; The Culture of Cranes, Oct. 23; Spooky Trails, a noon walk through Brit Spaugh Zoo on Oct. 29; and History of Barton County, Oct. 30 and Nov. 1.
There is still room in three student activities this week: Spooky Crafts, for ages 6-12 will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Thursday at the GBRC Activity Center; Trash To Treasures Day Out for ages 6-12 will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, with a trip to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center; and American Red Cross Baby-sitters Training from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the Great Bend Recreation Center, for students 11-15 years old. Register at the GBRC office, 1214 Stone St. For more information call 793-3755 ext. 2 or email recreation@gbrc.kscoxmail.com.