The Youth and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs for children and their families.  In order to participate in our programs you must register.

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Children will be able to express themselves and use their creativity through art. Each class will be designed for age appropriate take home crafts/projects for your child. Classes will be held at Coogan pavilion.

 More information TBD

Art Class Wednesdays@ Coogan Pavilion:  This program is designed for those students that are being homeschooled.  Program starts Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 and ends Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 12pm - 2pm for ages 5 and up.  Cost is $60 per learner.

Badminton:@ Mauro/Sheridan School, 191 Fountain St. This is a FREE program and is designed to provide quality badminton training in a fun and safe environment. Each player will learn the basics and fundamentals of Badminton, strategies and gameplay instructions followed by free play. We may include additional skills lessons on demand. Open play with all players is expected. Come and join the fun on Mondays and Fridays from 6:00pm-8:00pm starting November 4, 2024 and ending April 11, 2025.

BASKETBALL CLINICS AND LEAGUES: We offer clinics and leagues for children in grades Kindergarten to 8th grade.  Our clinics are designed to teach fundamentals and build an array of skills, such as passing, dribbling,  shooting and handling of the ball.   Our leagues are designed to give everyone an opportunity to play and to show off those skills that they have learned and to play against other teams.  We strongly encourage great sportsmanship amongst players.  See you in the fall!  

Crochet with Ms. Regina: This is class is designed for the beginners. However, if you already know how to crochet or knit and is looking for a place to be amongst friends or meet new people this is the place for you.  Our classes will help you with the basics of crochet while completing projects that you will love.  Crocheting is very relaxing and reduces stress and anxiety.  Crocheting also relaxes your mind.  So if you are creative and want to join us, we will be happy to have you. Cost is $50 per person and  All supplies are provided. 

Kickball (youth): @John Martinez School.  This 6-week co-ed program is for ages 7 -10.  It will be run weekly as "pick-up style" games.  Teams will be divided equally each week.  Kickball will start Thursday, October 10, 2024 and will end Thursday, November 21, 2024.  Cost is $20 per person.

Legos: It is time to join friends, be creative and build! This program is designed for 6 - 13 years old to come together on Tuesdays @ Coogan Pavilion for some fun.  Legos will begin Tuesday October 15, 2024 and end November 26, 2024 from 5:45 - 6:56pm.  No class on Tuesday, November 5,2 024.  No experience is needed.  Come on and Lego!! Cost is $20 per person.

Line Dancing with Scheri: @ Mauro Sheridan School.  We offer 3 types of classes. Once for beginners, intermediate beginners and advance.  If you have never line danced before and would love to learn the beginners class is for you.  If you are familiar with line dancing and has taken the classes before but still not ready for the advance group then the intermediate beginners is for you. Our advance group moves at a faster pace with more challenging moves, if you are a pro then this is for you.  Line dancing will help with improving coordination, increase brain memory and cardiovascular heath.  A fun and exciting way to exercise without the equipment.  LOL.  The cost is $30 per person and there are 6 classes per session.

Paint Nights(family): Paint night is for family and friends to come together and have an enjoyable time painting.  Each paint night is dedicated to a specific theme. Fall dates T.B.A

Pickleball:  This sport combines the elements of tennis, badminton & ping-pong.  What a great way to get in a great aerobic workout.  We offer clinics for those who want to learn.  New Haven has 3 pickleball courts at Edgewood Park (West Rock Ave., next to the tennis courts) and in Scantlebury Park (Ashmun St. and Webster St.) for those who would like to play.   

Ping Pong: @ Coogan Pavilion on Wednesdays, October 16, 2024 - November 20, 2024 from 5:00p - 6:00p.  This is for ages 10 - 13 years old.  Cost $20 per person.

Pottery Classes with Kendall: This 5-week session @ Coogan Pavilion is designed for ages 12 and older.  You will learn the basics of pottery making and some of the different techniques used to create some beautiful and unique pieces.  Pottery helps relieve stress, increases emotional stability and happiness.  Classes will be held on  Mondays, starting October 21, 2024 and ending November 25, 2025. No class on November 11, 2024.  Cost is $65 per session.

 Rising Stars 2024 (sports sampler):  This 6-week program is designed for ages 4-6 to spark an interest in sports.  This sampler will focus on basketball, flag football and soccer. Rising starts will be held Hill Central School gym, 140 Dewitt St.  Rising stars will run on Wednesdays.  The dates are as follows: October 9th & 23rd, October 30th & November 6th, and November 13th & November 20th.

Rising Stars 2.0

Slime Factory:  As a part of STEM, we are offering a Slime Factory where participants can make different types of slime and participate in  some slime activities.  What a wonderful way to work on something very relaxing and mind stimulating and fun.

More information T.B.D

STEM: Program is designed for children ages 8 - 12.  They will have an opportunity to gather with other children their age and learn or build on different techniques using the computer.  There are 3 sessions and each session is different from the previous.  Session 1 is on 3D printing, Session 2 is Robotics, and Session 3 is Programing.  Each session costs $60.  Session 1 begins October 4, 2024 and end November 22, 2024.

Swimming:

FALL INFO 2024/2025: We offer youth swimming lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hillhouse High School.  Cost: $100 for New Haven residents and $125 for non-residents. This year there are 3 different time slots for each session.  Session 1 starts October 8, 2024.

We also offer Open Swim at Hillhouse High School on Wednesdays from 5pm - 8pm and on Saturdays from 10am - 2pm. 

Open Swim begins Wednesday, October 2, 2024 and Ends Saturday, June 13, 2025.

Tennis:  We offer tennis for children ages 5 - 7 (beginners) & 7 - 12 (intermediate to advance).  Children will learn the basics of tennis, build strength and agility and its a great way to build on social skills.  MORE INFORMATION IS FORTHCOMING

Volleyball: We offer volleyball for girls and boys ages 14U and 18U @ Davis Street School, and for adults at East Rock Middle School. 

Yoga: Enjoy an empowering, relaxing and mediation class.  These classes are designed for everyone.  Learn how to properly breathe and stretch.  Sundays @ Coogan Pavilion 1-2pm, Wednesdays @ 230 Ashmun St. from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm and foundations from 7:30 - 8:30pm.