JAMES CITY COUNTY — As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt, we ask for your patience, flexibility and support. We depend on you, our patrons, to follow safety and social distancing guidelines as regularly released by the Governor of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Events are subject to change based on social distancing guidelines, please call the activities hotline at 757-259-3232 before heading out.
Unless otherwise noted, please visit us online or call 757-259-4200 for more details and registration information. For the complete list of Parks & Recreation activities, programs and events, check out our seasonal brochure.
Aquatics
American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course • Ages 15+
- Friday, April 9, 4-6 p.m.; Saturday, April 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Monday-Thursday, April 12-15, 4-9 p.m.
- $205
- James City County Recreation Center and Kingswood Pool (111 Spring Road)
- Includes First Aid and CPR certification.
- Must attend and pass a swim test(300-yard continuous swim: 100 yards of front crawl, 100 yards of breaststroke and 100 yards of choice of front crawl or breaststroke). Retrieve a 10-poundbrick from a depth of 7-8 feet and return 20 yards, keeping both hands on the brick at all times; face must remain out of the water. Tread water for two minutes keeping arms out of the water.
- Must attend every class to earn certification
- Failure to complete competency test does not guarantee a full
refund - Cell phone use is not permitted in class and can be grounds for dismissal
- Must be age 15 or older by the last day of class
- Class meets at the James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road in Williamsburg, on the first day
- $205 per session includes swim test, book and materials.
*Swim test held on first day of class
American Red Cross Lifeguard Re-Certification • Ages 15+
- Saturday, April 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- $60
- James City County Recreation Center
- Renew your Lifeguarding and CPR/AED for professional rescuers certifications
- Must successfully complete the prerequisite skills, practical skills, first aid skills and written tests.
- Failure to complete all requirements does not guarantee a full refund.
- Cell phone use is not permitted in class and can be grounds for dismissal.
- Please bring current Lifeguard and CPR card for proof of certification.
- $60 per session; course does not include materials.
Arts & Special Interest
PeeWee Painting At-Home Kit • Ages 3-5 • NEW!
You’ll be contacted via email for scheduling your kit pick-up. Let your kids get creative with this at-home kit they’re sure to enjoy. We’ll provide all the supplies – you provide the space! Kit includes 9”x12” canvas (with pre-taped elements), paints, brushes, disposable apron and instruction sheet. Please select desired painting at the time of registration.
Kids Virtual Trivia Night • Ages 6-12 with parent/guardian • FREE!
- Thursday, April 15, 7-8 p.m.
- Zoom Meeting
Are you looking for something fun and educational to do with the kids? Join Parks & Recreation for a FREE virtual kids’ trivia night! Up to 20 teams will compete in a five-round trivia competition featuring the following categories – animals, movie characters, songs & music, general knowledge and science. Questions geared toward children ages 6-12; a parent or guardian is required to participate. Register by April 12 to receive full event details and a Zoom meeting invite.
Kidz Clay • Ages 10-15
- Thursdays, April 15-May 13, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
- $40
- James City County Recreation Center
Make a mess, make some art, and make your mark… in clay! We’ll
hand build and explore the potter’s wheel. A variety of topics presented, sostudents may repeat the class. No experience needed. $15 materials fee due to
instructor at first class. Work will be available for pick up after firing.Dress for mess! Instructor: Dorothy Round.
Acrylic Painting • Ages 16+
- Thursdays, April 1-June 17, 1-3 p.m.
- $125
- James City County Recreation Center
Join us to create your own masterpiece while making new friends.
Whether you’ve never picked up a brush or have some skills in acrylics, thisclass is for you. For a list of supplies please contact the instructor at
757-220-3755 or [email protected]: Anne Kushnick.
REC Connect Spring Break
- Spring Break Program for ages 5-14, spaces still available!
- Monday-Friday, April 5-9, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Enjoy spring break fun with exciting trips, park tours and hands-on activities. Bring lunch daily. Activity calendars will be sent to parents before program start date.
Spring Break Camps
DIY Art Adventures • Ages 5-8
- Monday-Friday, April 5-9, 1-4 p.m.
- $100
- James City County Recreation Center
Make art masterpieces out of common household items, recyclables and other unique objects! We’ll use our imagination for “do-it-yourself” art all week long. Dress for mess. No previous experience needed. Camp fee includes a special “in-house” field trip.
Mad Science presents Crazy Chemworks • Ages 6-10
- Monday-Thursday, April 5-8, 9 a.m.-noon
- $160
- James City County Recreation Center
Shake up a flask of fun in the lab as a junior chemist! This week
of crazy chemistry is packed solid with cool reactions. We’ll put on somegoggles and change liquids to solid and back again. We’ll get to handle
laboratory tools, build and break molecules, and pick up some tricks onchemical changes. We’ll also compete in the Slime Olympics! Instructor: Mad
Science staff.
Outdoor Experience with JRA • Ages 10-16
- Monday-Friday, April 5-9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- $125
- JRA Educational Center, 1335 Colonial Parkway
Join the James River Association for a spring break week alternative! Come experience a week of outdoor adventure and education. We’ll canoe Powhatan Creek, learn about and perform seine netting, perform water quality tests, bike the Virginia Capital Trail, and participate in fun environmental games tied back to learning about the James River and its watershed.
Inclusion/Therapeutic Recreation
Sensory Friendly Pool Party • All Ages & Abilities
- Saturday, April 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- $5/family
- James City County Recreation Center
Splash, Yell, Float and enjoy the JCCRC pool after hours. We’ll turn the lights down and open the swim lanes so everyone can have as much fun as they want. Bring your own float and pool toys. Registration is required. Registration deadline April 12, noon. For more information, please call 757-259-5354.
Got Goo? Fun & Sticky Sensory Play! • All Ages & Abilities
- Wednesday, April 28, 6:30-8 p.m.
- $5/family
- James City County Recreation Center
Do you like to play with slime? Have you ever painted withspaghetti? Join us for fun evenings full of yucky, messy activities. Snacks and
materials provided. Bring a messy shirt. Social distancing guidelines will befollowed and individual sensory bins will be provided for each family who
registers. Registration is required. Registration deadline is April 21. For more information, please call 757-259-5354.
Sensory Friendly Movie Night • All Ages & Abilities
- Friday, April 30, 6-8 p.m.
- $5/family
- James City County Recreation Center
Enjoy a feature film with family and friends in a safe and accommodating environment. The lights will be turned down low and special
sensory seating areas provided. Popcorn and snacks included. Registration required. Registration deadline is April 23. For more
information, please call 757-259-5354.
Outdoor Programs and Activities
Forest Explorer Fridays: Plant Identification • All Ages • FREE!
- Friday, April 16, 5:30-7 p.m.
- Freedom Park
Come explore the forest ecosystems within James City County,identifying the plants and animals that call these special places home.
Parent/guardian must attend with children. Take a hikewith our staff and identify native and non-native plants from bark to blossom
and leaves.
Archery 101 • Ages 9-15
- Saturdays, April 17-May 8, noon-1 p.m.
- $50
- Upper County Park
Designed for beginner to intermediate ability. Learn the safe useand handling of a recurve bow in addition to proper range procedures. Equipment
provided or bring your own (instructors will inspect for safety before approvalfor use during the session).
Special Events
Campfire Social • All Ages • FREE!
- Saturdays, April 10 & April 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Enjoy s’mores, fun activities, storytelling and more around the campfire overlooking beautiful Gordon Creek.
Movies Under the Stars • All Ages • FREE!
- Saturday, April 17, 8:30 p.m.
- Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Enjoy a great box office title out under the sky! Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. We’ll bring the stars. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Scheduled feature: Frozen 2 (PG); movies subject to change. *Weather permitting.
Half Century Senior Games • Ages 50+
- Friday, April 30 & Saturday, May 1
- Locations TBA
Join us for James City County’s Senior Games! This event caters to adults age 50 or better who enjoy a bit of competition and staying active. Events include pickleball and a 5K race. There’ll be sections for men’s and women’s as well as amateur or master divisions. Pickleball will take place April 30 and the 5K race and will take place on May 1. For more information on how to register, locations and full event details, call 757-259-5355.
Program Sites
Editor’s Note: This story is brought to you by WYDaily courtesy of James City County Parks and Recreation.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CHECK OUT THESE STORIES:
Always be informed. Click here to get the latest news and information delivered to your inbox