Summer Classes & Programs at Cranbury

Relaxation, creativity, disc golf and training – for dogs and people - are on the schedule for this summer at Cranbury Park.

The Parks & Recreation Department has put out a huge directory of summer programs to be held at all the city parks. Here’s what’s on tap for our park:

• INTENTION RELAXATION: Learn how to create an intention for relaxation, inner peace and healing. Learn about ways to help yourself create a calmer focus in your life, including meditation, angels, aura, Reiki, scents, crystals, and positive intentions. The instructor is Gigi Benanti of Angelic Healing Center in Norwalk. The session is April 22 at 7pm. Cost is $35.
• DOG OBEDIENCE CLASSES: For dogs over 5 months old. Teach your dog to be a GOOD family companion, one you can proudly take anywhere and who can participate in all activities without being a nuisance. Your dog will learn to sit, down, stay, walk nicely on a leash, heel, and come when called. We will also be working on dog behavior issues. The instructor is Sue Beagley. The course will meet Wednesday nights for seven weeks starting May 7 from 6-7pm. Cost is $155.
• PUPPY KINDERGARTEN: For dogs under 5 months old. Socialization, crucial for a good, well-adjusted, happy puppy. We also teach them to play nicely with others and work on the basic obedience commands, building the foundation for your puppy to become a well mannered adult dog. We will go over all puppy behavior issues: potty training, chewing, jumping, nipping, barking, digging, etc. The instructor is Sue Beagley. The course will meet Wednesday nights for seven weeks starting May 7 from 7-8pm. Cost is $155.
• GUITAR IN THE PARK: Do you have a guitar in the house that’s just collecting dust? Why not learn to play it? Be a real guitar hero. This course is ideal for beginner and intermediate players. Students will learn to play guitar through a simple approach that requires no prior experience. So dust off those strings and start learning guitar in the park. The instructor is Paul Van Acker. Classes will be the weeks of July 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 9a to noon. Cost is $200 a week for Norwalk residents and $250 for nonresidents.
• VACATION PHOTOGRAPHY: Camera technique, composition, outdoor lighting situations, landscapes, urban landscapes, street photography, people photography, photography and local customs, close-ups, documenting vacations in a story format. Bring your own digital camera. The instructor is TBD. The class will be Thursday evenings 6:30pm-8:30pm from May 15 through July 17 (10 sessions). Cost is $75 plus fees for materials to be determined later.
• SPRING DISC GOLF CLINIC: We will break down the fundamentals of the sport, from long distance drives to short accurate putts. You will learn the techniques and proper form to throw a disc. We will go over the types of discs and the best use for each model. You will have the opportunity to play with a professional disc golfer. Clinics will be April 19 and May 10 from 10a-2p (rain dates are April 20 and May 11). Free to all.
• MAGICAL MOMENTS AT THE MOVIES: This program will feature musical, dramatic and comic scenes from movies. This series emphasizes the Golden Age of Hollywood (1931-1960), yet includes many scenes from movies of the present day. All clips are introduced with a history of the genre, the stars, the directors, the choreographers, the moguls, the behind-the-scenes artisans and the gossip. The facilitator is Byron Matthews. The sessions will be “That’s Italian” (July 9); “The Orient” (July 23); “Lost the Oscar or Not Nominated” (Aug. 6); “The Great Stars” (Aug. 10). All sessions are 7pm-9pm. Cost is $10 per person and includes refreshments.
• FITNESS – NO EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: Shake out the winter doldrums. Get out of the gym and get some fresh air! In this class we will learn how you can use movement patterns, sequences, repetitions, plyometrics, strength and cardio work to target muscles you forgot you had. Utilize your entire body as an integrated whole using your body weight, the environment and sometimes a partner to increase and strengthen your major muscle groups, simply by using a shift in focus with your body weight. You compete only against yourself. The instructor is Anthony Sire. Classes are Saturday mornings from 8am-9am starting May 17 and run for six weeks. Cost is $180.

For more information on these programs, contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 854-7807.

Full details are in the brochure at http://www.norwalkct.org/parksrec/2008SpringSummerBrochure.pdf.

You can download a registration form at http://www.norwalkct.org/parksrec/2007ProgramRegistration.pdf.

You also can register online at https://www.norwalkct.org/Registration/index.html.