Recreation Department prepares summer classes and activities

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Updated: April 25, 2011 6:04AM

Several new classes and activities are among the summer aquatics and recreation programs being offered by the Hinsdale Parks and Recreation Department.

Gina Hassett, director of Parks and Recreation, said a few factors are considered before adding new programs.

"Some of it is trends; it's dictated by what people are interested in at a particular time," she said. "We're looking to serve our residents, so we look for things that are of interest here, even if they may not be as popular on some other areas.

"Sometimes, we add something based on a resident's request, if we find there is sufficient interest. We also try to work with other community groups, sometimes working with them to offer something and also so that we don't duplicate their offerings."

Registration for all summer programs is under way for Hinsdale residents and begins May 2 for non-residents. Registration can be completed online at www.villageofhinsdale.org, by mail at Program Registration, 19 E. Chicago Ave., Hinsdale IL 60521-3489; in-person at the Recreation Department, 19 E. Chicago Ave.; or by fax, (630) 789-7016.

New programs scheduled for the Hinsdale Community Swimming Pool, 500 W. Hinsdale Ave., are Five Dollar Fridays June 24, July 15 and Aug. 12, which offers a $5 admission on those days; discounted 10-visit passes for the pool, and Cannon Ball Contests at 2 p.m. Mondays in July, for which prizes will be awarded to winners of the best cannon ball dive into the pool.

Four new programs are being offered for youth: Kids on Canvas, 3D Video Worlds, Beginning Lacrosse Camp and skateboard lessons.

Kids on Canvas with Abrakadoodle is an art program that teaches children, ages 3 1/2, about painting on a variety of canvas surfaces with acrylics. Offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 23-July 14, Kids on Canvas is part of the national Abrakadoodle art education program.

Learning the fundamentals of creating a 3D video game world is the focus of 3D Video Worlds, which meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. July 11-14.

Children ages 8-12 in 3D Video Worlds will develop and make a storyboard of their game design and learn to place animals, trees, characters and other items in their own virtual world. Participants also will learn the basic subsystems and scripting necessary in a 3D game system.

Beginning Lacrosse Camp offers the opportunity for children, ages 5-7, to learn the fundamentals of this sports, which includes catching, passing, scooping and dodging.

Scheduled from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 12-Aug. 2, the camp includes drills designed to teach and develop skills used in lacrosse along with teamwork and sportsmanship. Games will be played at the end of each class. Participants need to bring a mouth guard.

Skateboard lessons are being offered at three different skill levels for children ages 7-14: beginner, beginner/intermediate and intermediate. Each session includes 45 minutes of instruction, 15 minutes of skill assessment and 30 minutes of skate time.

A skateboard and helmet are required for participation. Knee, elbow and wrists pads are recommended. Classes are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Times vary, depending on the skill level.

The new adult program this summer is Improve Your Life With Self-Hypnosis, which includes three separate sessions: Release Stress/Teach a Goal, in June, See a Trimmer, Healthier You in July and Get Up & Get Out There in August. All sessions are scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays for four weeks.

Each class includes a hands-on introduction to hypnosis, instruction and practice in self-hypnosis and in writing effective suggestions, and four group hypnosis sessions. The classes will be taught by Kathleen Cantwell, a National Hypnotists Guild-certified hypnotist, who has been practicing self-hypnosis for more than 30 years.

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