Students will have some time off from school in the coming days, but the Great Bend Recreation Commission has scheduled some activities, including a training course for baby-sitting, for those looking for something to do, said Garet Fitzpatrick, GBRC program coordinator.
Programs are offered at various locations. All require preregistration at the Great Bend Recreation Office, 1214 Stone St.
Great Bend USD 428 classes will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, for teacher grading, and at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18, which is the last day of parent-teacher conferences. There will be no school on Oct. 19 or Oct.  22.
Fitzpatrick said the next break in the USD 428 schedule starts the day before Thanksgiving. No GBRC programs are planned for that break, but the Recreation Commission will be offering programs during the winter break.
The upcoming programs, with GBRC descriptions, are:
• An Afternoon with Creepy Crawly Critters: Join Pam Martin, KWEC/KDWPT Educator, in a romp through the animal world as we explore creatures that come out at night and sleep during the day and other creepy crawly, but fun critters. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 9.  This program will be held on Friday, Oct. 12, from 12:30-5 p.m. for children ages 6 to 12. Participants will meet at the Great Bend Activity Center and a bus will take them to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.
• American Red Cross Babysitters Training: This Red Cross course gives participants the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for infants through school-aged children. Topics include safety issues, preventing injuries and illness, basic child care, first aid, rescue breathing, care for choking and age appropriate behavior. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 15.  Children must be 11 by the class date. This class will be held at the Great Bend Recreation Center on Monday, Oct. 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Half a Day of Spooky Crafts: Join Paul Martin for an afternoon of making some fun Halloween crafts. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 15. This program will be held at the Rec Center on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 1-5 p.m. for children ages 6-12.
• Kitchen Science: When you sit down to eat, do you think about where the food came from and how it was made? During this class, students will learn about the many changes food goes through before it reaches your table. This class will be taught by Berny Unruh and Donna Krug, Barton County Extension agents. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 15. This program will be held at the Barton County Extension Office on Friday, Oct. 19, and Monday, Oct. 22, from 9-11:30 a.m. for children ages 7-12.
Find more information online at the GBRC website, www.greatbendrec.net, including sports schedules, cancellations and a registration form. To register, contact the Recreation Commission office, 793-3755 ext. 2, stop by the office at 1214 Stone St., or send e-mail to recreation@gbrc.kscoxmail.com.