Aquatics
Basic Swim Instructor Training • Ages 16+
Three-day course for $225:
Friday, Feb. 3, 4-7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Monday-Thursday, Feb. 6-9, 4-8 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
Become a certified American Red Cross Basic Swim Instructor! Participants can learn the fundamentals of teaching competitive and non-competitive swim strokes over a two-week course. Participants must be able to swim at a Level 3 performance criteria which will be tested on the first night of class and successfully pass the written exam with an 80% on the final night. For the full list of job prerequisites, visit us online.
We’re Hiring, Lifeguards Needed • Ages 16+ FREE!
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 5-7 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
Parks & Recreation is hosting this open interview for Lifeguards and Basic Swim Instructors! Potential candidates can stop by the James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road for an interview and swim test (if not already certified). Swim tests for American Red Cross Lifeguarding and Water Safety Instructor are conducted as part of the interview process. Successfully completing the swim test does not guarantee employment; employment is determined by successfully completing the entire course of the position including interviewing for and passing post-hiring practices conducted through the County’s Human Resources Department. For the full list of job prerequisites, visit us online.
Arts & Special Interest
Valentine Chocolate Making • Ages 3-13
Ages 3-5 (with parent or guardian):
Saturday, Feb. 4, 10-11:30 a.m., $20
Ages 6-13 (two sessions offered):
Friday, Feb. 3, 5-7 p.m., $25
Friday, Feb. 10, 5-7 p.m., $25
James City County Recreation Center
Learn basic chocolate making techniques, dip pretzels and marshmallows, make chocolate clusters and other fun treats! Note food allergies at registration. Bring an apron and airtight container to class. Instructor: The Williamsburg Chocolatier, Inc.
Valentine’s Love Bug • Ages 4-9
Friday, Feb. 10, 6-7 p.m., $15
James City County Recreation Center
Get artsy this Valentine’s Day with a little lovebug! Young artists can sculpt, paint and more as they create a cute ladybug sculpture with adorable heart-shaped wings perfect for Valentine’s Day. Instructor: KidCreate Studio.
After School Art Class • Ages 5-12
Thursdays, Feb. 23-March 16, 4-5 p.m., $70
James City County Recreation Center
Drawing really is as easy as 1,2, 3! Write a number and turn it into an extraordinary drawing by following a simple step-by-step process. Draw zebras, puppies, a giant cactus and anything else imaginable! No math skills needed. Instructor: KidCreate Studio.
Kidz Clay • Ages 10-15
Thursdays, Feb. 23-March 23, 4:30-5:30 p.m., $40
James City County Recreation Center
Make your mark…in clay! Explore hand building and the potter’s wheel. Dress for mess. Returning students offered expanded topics to build strong skill sets. No experience needed. Materials fee is $15, payable by cash or check at first class. Work available for pick up after kiln firing. Instructor: Dorothy Round.
Before/After School
- All REC Connect Before & After School programs have filled for the 2022-2023 school year. Any additional completed registration packets received will be added to a waitlist. All registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis according to space availability. The program runs Monday-Friday though the end of the school year. The Before School program is offered 7 a.m. until school starts; the After School runs school dismissal until 6 p.m. Programs are closed in observance of holidays. Program operating hours are subject to change based on WJCC school operating hours. For more information, call 757-259-5351.
- The Before & After School Program at James River Elementary School is now being operated by the Boys & Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula for the 2022-23 school year. For information on their program, visit bagclub.com. To register, call Ms. Lauren at 757-505-8825.
- The Teens on Point (T.O.P) Middle School After School Program will not be offered during the 2022-23 School Year.
Camps
We’ve got spring break camps, visit us online for the complete list!
Fitness
Group Fitness Sampler • Ages 14+ FREE!
Saturday, Feb. 4, 1-2 p.m. - Cycle & Yoga
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Muscle Burn & TRX
Saturday, Feb. 18, 1-2 p.m. - Drum Fitness & Flexibility
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Cycle & Strength
James City County Recreation Center
Are you considering trying a group fitness class or want to add something new to your routine? This Group Fitness sampler allows you to experience new formats and environments that will help you reach your goals without committing to a longer class. Come try a few sampler classes! We’re offering two 25-minute classes in one session. All levels welcome.
Find Your Style Yoga • Ages 14+ FREE!
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7:15-8:15 p.m. - Yin
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2-3 p.m. - Strength
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7:15-8:15 p.m. - Restorative
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2/19 2-3 p.m. - Align & Flow
James City County Recreation Center
Whether you’re looking for a practice to provide a sweaty workout, attracted to the restorative benefits, searching for an experience or needing relief from back pain—your discovery is here. Try one or a sampler to find what works best for you! All levels welcome.
Walk This Way: Williamsburg Walking Club • Ages 14+ FREE!
Saturdays, Feb. 11 & Feb. 25, 10-11 a.m.
Greensprings Interpretive Trail
Being active is the secret to staying healthy, and walking is a great way to get moving! Let our walking coaches guide you through the trails of James City County. Whether you bring a friend, family or meet a new neighbor you’ll have a blast while having a positive impact on your health. New trail location every month.
Group Fitness Classes • Ages 14+
Get in shape for spring! From Ageless Yoga to Zumba, you’ll find a class just for you at the James City County Recreation Center. More than 60 classes offered weekly; visit us online for the complete list! 757-259-4176.
Health/Wellness
Forest Friends Yoga - Winter Wonder • Ages 5-8
Thursday, Feb. 16, 5-6 p.m., $5
Freedom Park
Now more than ever, guiding youth in learning how to quiet their minds and bring mindfulness during moments of difficulty is invaluable. Mindfulness can help minimize anxiety and increase happiness – we all want that! Your child will love this winter wonder youth yoga class inside the Interpretive Center while still being able to view all the surrounding trees in Freedom Park!
Family Zumba Winter Series: Feel the Love • Ages 5+ FREE!
Friday, Feb. 17, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
If you’re looking for something fun and healthy to do with your family, this is it! Family Zumba gives you and your family a chance to be active together. One Friday each month will be a different theme. Exciting music with easy-to-follow movements makes a perfect fitness class while having fun!
Glow BAM! - Family Drum Fitness • Ages 5+ FREE! NEW!
Friday, Feb. 24, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
Take a Friday night out this winter and try something new with your crew! Drum fitness is a fun and active class for people of all ages and abilities. Drum away stress while increasing your fitness and listening to amazing music. You’ll leave this class feeling like a rockstar!
Kids Bounce • Ages 8-13
Saturday, Feb. 25, 10-10:45 a.m., $5
James City County Recreation Center
This mini trampoline class is a unique experience for kids to burn energy and enjoy their own fitness class. There is something magical about bouncing on a trampoline that kids find incredibly engaging. They’ll enjoy 45 minutes of exciting bounce fitness to fun music.
For the Love of Yoga Nidra & Sound Bath • Ages 14+
Friday, Feb. 10, 7-8:15 p.m., $8
Freedom Park
Celebrate the love of Yoga Nidra next to a warm fire. Join us for this hybrid class in shifting your brain from activity to meditation. The first portion of this class is a vinyasa practice - to warm you up. The last 30 minutes will be Yoga Nidra, guiding you through a detailed gentle approach to the practice, emphasizing stabilization and active stretching.
Indoor Cycle 101 • Ages 14+ FREE!
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
Indoor cycling classes can be overwhelming to jump into – music, seat settings, resistance level and to clip or not to clip. We’re here to help! Proper bike set-up can make or break your class experience and keep you injury-free. This intro class will teach you all you need to enter the “spin” world. Put things in full gear with our awesome tunes, control over resistance and speed, and overall intensity. No bike experience needed.
Drumming for Wellness • Ages 16+ FREE!
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 5:30-7 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
We’ll use the drum and the voice as a modality to practice mindfulness. Students can learn basic drumming and meditation techniques and participate in drum circles and sound immersions to experience the use of drums and sound in ritual, ceremony and recreation. No musical experience needed. All instruments provided.
Inclusion/Therapeutic Recreation
Got Goo? Fun & Sticky Sensory Play! • All Ages & Abilities
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 6:30-8 p.m., $10/family
James City County Recreation Center
Do you like to play with slime? Have you ever painted with spaghetti? Join us for fun evenings full of yucky, messy activities. Snacks and materials provided. Bring a messy shirt. Registration is required; registration deadline is Jan. 31.
Buddy Art • Ages 6+ with Disabilities FREE!
Saturdays – Feb. 4, 11, 18 & 25 & March 4, 3-4 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
A variety of art activities are offered based on the ages, ability levels and interests. Children are assigned a volunteer “buddy” to work with them one-on-one. For more information, visit visitwcac.org/programs/community-activities/buddy-art/ or contact buddy.art.kids@gmail.com or 757-879-4328. Sponsored by Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center in partnership with volunteers from William & Mary and JCC Parks & Recreation. Join any class.
Teensational Socials: Winter Gala • Ages 13-21 with Disabilities FREE!
Saturday, Feb. 18, 5-8 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
Break out the dancing shoes! We’ll play games and dance the night away. Be sure to dress to impress! Offered in partnership with Capernaum. For more information and a complete schedule of events, email Anna Steiner at annawsteiner@gmail.com.
Yoga • Ages 18+ FREE!
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7-9 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
Move through a series of postures to allow the body to become flexible and healthy in a state of deep relaxation. Provided in partnership with The Arc of Greater Williamsburg. For more information on yoga, any upcoming events or to become a member call 757-229-3535 or visit thearcgw.org.
Outdoors
Freedom Park Full Moon Hike: Snow Moon • All Ages FREE!
Sunday, Feb. 5 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Freedom Park
Come explore the PARK AFTER DARK during the full moon! During this self-guided hike, Freedom Park will stay open late, past sunset, on select nights. After sunset, visitors may use Multiuse Trail 3 only; the full moon hikes are a walking loop that start and end along this trail which is a one-mile, paved ADA-compliant trail winding through wooded forest and the Colby Swamp. Users must depart the park by the closing time (see below) and must stay on Trail 3 after sunset. No registration required. Weather permitting.
History Program: Food Preservation & Preparation • All Ages FREE!
Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Freedom Park
How did you feed your family in a time before supermarkets and online shopping? See how residents of the Freedom Park Free Black Settlement of 1807 would have preserved and prepared foods during the harsh winter months. No registration required.
Special Events
Freedom: The Hands that Built History Tour • All Ages
Saturday, Feb. 11 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
$5; ages 2 and younger free
Freedom Park
Commemorate Black History Month by taking a step back in time. This impactful event will pay tribute to the generations of African Americans whose hard work, talents and skills built this nation. The tour will also highlight how black slaves struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society - essentially winning their freedom. The guided tour of the Free Black Settlement will start at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center. Along the way, experience stories of hardship and triumph detailed by Dylan Pritchett, a Virginia Black Storyteller. Meet African American artisans who will demonstrate woodworking and white oak basket weaving (available for purchase) just as it was done centuries ago. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee (includes hot beverages): $5/person; 3 and younger free. Registration is required to select one of four tour timeslots:
Select One:
10-10:30 a.m.
11-11:30 a.m.
Noon – 12:30 p.m.
1-1:30 p.m.
For more information, call 757-259-4200 or 757-259-5353 or email parks.rec@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Sports
Martial Arts • Ages 9-12
Mondays, Feb. 6-March 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $15
Abram Frink Jr. Community Center
Have fun learning beginner level Taekwondo techniques and dojo protocol. Participants will learn respect and discipline while practicing blocks, kicks, self-defense and fore balance.
Basic Bike Maintenance • Ages 16+ FREE!
Thursday, Feb. 16, 6:30-8 p.m.
James City County Recreation Center
With our partners from Girls in Gear and BikeWalkWilliamsburg, learn to inspect and clean your bike, fix a flat, grease a chain and what tools are needed.
Registration
To register for all programs and camps:
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!
Inclement Weather/Cancellations
All Outdoor Events are weather permitting. Before heading out, please call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 any changes in schedules.
Program Sites
Abram Frink Jr. Community Center, 8901 Pocahontas Trail
Freedom Park/Interpretive Center, 5537 Centerville Road
Greensprings Interpretive Trail, 3751 John Tyler Highway
James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road
Holiday Operations
Annual Report Available!
Check out the Parks & Recreation Annual Report to learn more about us and our community partners!
Media Contact:
Veda McMullen, Senior Communications Specialist
veda.mcmullen@jamescitycountyva.gov; 757-259-5415