Upcoming Events
Welcome to Adult Variety programs! We have something for nearly every interest. Learn a new skill or make new friends within the DeKalb Park District community! We also offer Fitness Classes, Adult Athletics, Memberships, Indoor Open Walk, Open Gym, and Open Pickleball.
By signing up for programs early, you're not just securing your spot, you're also playing a crucial role in preventing cancellations and ensuring that our programs meet their minimum participant requirements. So, why not take the lead and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to join you or spread the word in our community?
NEW! Nature Packs
Thanks to grant funds courtesy of the Meta DeKalb Data Center, the DeKalb Park District is excited to offer a new year-round Nature Pack Program!
Each themed nature pack has hands-on learning items for fun-filled outdoor adventures for families and individuals to enjoy in your local parks. For a refundable $100 CASH deposit or voidable personal check, you can reserve each pack for up to two weeks at select facilities.
Nature Pack Themes: Trees; Wildflowers; Birds; or Insects
 |
Check out each pack for two weeks at a time |
 |
N/A |
 |
Haish Gym or Hopkins Community Center |
 |
$100 Refundable Deposit |
NEW! Fishing 101
(Ages 3 +)
Learn to rig the different knots, techniques, and live and artificial baits to catch the targeted species. All equipment is provided, and a paying adult must accompany participants 6 and under. The fee covers one fishing pole for a family of up to four people. You can rent an additional fishing pole for $15/person by signing up for the "additional person" option.
|
Mondays, August 5-26 |
|
6:30-7:30 pm |
|
Rotary Park Pond, 1504 E. State Street |
|
$60 R/ $72 NR (up to a family of four) $15 fee/additional person/fishing pole |
Beginner Obedience
(Dogs Ages 8+ Weeks)
8-week obedience program teaching all breeds and ages, from puppies to adults, basic obedience such as Heel (formal leash walking), Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, & Come (Recall). Training follows AKC training standards and balanced training. A training collar is used during the class. Proof of rabies and distemper/parvo vaccinations are required. Children may train the dog during class as long as an adult guardian is present to take over if needed. Dogs do not come the first night.
|
Mondays, September 9 - October 28 |
|
6:30 - 7:30 pm |
|
Haish Gymnasium, Large Gym |
|
$76 R/ $95 NR per dog |
NEW! Dog Speak
(Ages 14+)
Develop a better relationship with your dog, the ones you see at a shelter or a dog park. Learn how to build trust by reading a dog's body language. Determine when it is okay to pet a dog and when to leave the dog alone. The concepts presented in this program will show how to respect a dog's personal space. Do NOT bring dogs to class!
|
Wednesday, October 9 |
|
6:00-7:00 pm |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, Conference Room |
|
$10 R/ $12 NR |
NEW! Cubs vs Twins at Wrigley Field
(Ages 3 +)
Come watch your Chicago Cubs take on the Minnesota Twins at beautiful Wrigley Field in Chicago. Sign up early, as these tickets will go fast! This is a joint trip with the Sycamore and Genoa Park Districts. Seats are located in the 400-level infield. Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult 21 and older.
|
Wednesday, August 7 |
|
Depart: 9:00 am from the Sports & Recreation Center and will stay for duration of the game. Game: 1:20 pm. |
|
Sports & Recreation Center / Chicago |
|
$105 R/ $110 NR |
NEW! Barb Food Mart Volunteer Day
(All Ages)
Barb Food Mart is a food pantry serving students and families in DeKalb School District 428. They promote dignity, equity, and choice while reducing food insecurity and increasing access to community resources. Sign up for a one-hour time slot to help pack meals. They can accommodate anyone who needs to sit. Anyone who signs up also consents to being photographed by a Barb Food Mart staff member.
|
Sunday, September 22 |
|
1:00-4:00 pm |
|
Barb Food Mart, 900 E. Garden St. |
|
FREE! Pre-registration required |
NEW! I & M Canal Boat Tour
(Ages 3+; 17 & under with Adult)
Relive the fateful turning point in our history that led to a new era of transportation and the growth of our region by taking a trip on the Canal Boat. This vessel is not only a replica of those from the 1840s. It also runs on the same energy source: mule power! Your journey includes a “Mule Tending 101” class in which you’ll meet Moe the Mule, interact with a crew of period-dressed guides, hear tales of the canal’s heyday, and enjoy a 60-minute boat ride. Enjoy a hearty Boat Captain’s lunch in the Visitor Center featuring additional information and exhibits about the canal. Boat ride, lunch, and transportation included. Lunch is baked Tuscan chicken, Caesar salad, mashed potatoes & gravy, and brownies.
|
Friday, October 4 |
|
9:45 am-3:00 pm 3:00 pm is the approximate arrival time back |
|
Depart from the Sports & Recreation Center, Lobby |
|
|
$64 R/$80 NR |
NEW! Beginner Photography Class: Capturing the Basics
(Ages 12+)
Discover the art of photography in this new class designed for aspiring photographers with little to no experience. This course covers the essential skills, techniques, and programs used in post-production and will finish with a guided walk and hands-on practice. Bring your camera, a notebook, and a pen, and dress appropriately for weather conditions.
|
Sunday, October 6 |
|
4:30 - 6:00 pm |
|
Lions Park, 700 W. Taylor St. |
|
$45 R/ $56 NR |
NEW! Creative Writing Workshop
(Ages 17+)
Learn the five W’s of creative writing: who, what, when, where, and why. Each date will be themed on different writing.
|
Thursdays, Sci-Fi: September 5 Explore the imaginative chaos in sci-fi writing. Explore the deep, bold darkness of the attention-grabbing horror genre. Explore a fictional realm that reflects how the author sees themselves and how they perceive the world around them. |
|
6:00 – 8:00 pm |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, Conference Room |
|
$13 R/ $16 NR per session date |
Beginner Sewing
(Ages 14+)
This class is for anyone who wants to learn how to use their sewing machines or beginner sewers. Do you have an idea but need help? The instructor can demonstrate useful techniques and walk you through the process. We have lots of fabric to play with, or bring your own project. Class participants must bring their own sewing machine.
|
Thursdays, Summer Session: August 22 |
|
5:00 - 6:30 pm |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, Art Room |
|
$11 R/ $14 NR per session date |
NEW! Beginner Sewing: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
(Ages 17+)
English paper piecing is a hand sewing quilting technique. This class will show you how to get started with hexagons. You will learn how to sew fabric around the hexagons and the method to attach them together. Each student will receive a basic kit and will take it home so they can continue to create their masterpiece. Use your hexagons to make a potholder, quilt, table runner, and more. The instructor will give you options of how to finish whatever project you want to complete.
|
Thursday, September 12 |
|
5:00 - 6:30 pm |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, Art Room |
|
$34 R/ $43 NR per session date |
Adult Beginner Knitting
(Ages 17+)
Learn basic stitches and how to use them in this beginner class. Everyone will leave with their own project and be directed through the project by our instructor.
|
Fridays, October 4 - 25 |
|
5:00 - 7:00 pm |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, Conference Room |
|
$39 R/ $49 NR |
Adult Intermediate Knitting
(Ages 17 +)
If you're looking to take your knitting to the next level, this class is for you! Learn to use patterns and diverse stitches to apply them to a project. Minimum prerequisite is knowledge of how to cast on and the ability to do a knit stitch.
|
Fridays, November 8 -22 |
|
5:00 - 7:00 pm |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, Conference Room |
|
$29 R/ $35 NR |
NEW! Mindfulness Meditation
(Ages 18+)
Join us for gentle stretching and breathwork techniques to strengthen mental focus and cognition. This class is appropriate for all levels.
|
Saturdays, December 7-28 |
|
10:30 - 11:30 am |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, Fitness Room |
|
$38 R/ $48 NR per session |
NEW! Cardio & Cards
(Ages 50+)
Start your morning by enjoying an indoor walk at the Sports and Recreation Center. Then, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, join others for a game of Bridge- the popular card game! Indoor Open Walk is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am -12:00 pm. Join us on these select Thursdays for Bridge and Walking, or join for Bridge and skip the walking!
|
Every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month September-December |
|
10:00 am-12:00 pm |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, Fieldhouse & Conference Room |
|
$5 R / $6 NR per date |
NEW! Bingo
(Ages 50+)
You are invited to attend this friendly bingo competition hosted by the DeKalb Park District.
|
Tuesday, September 17 Thursday, October 24 |
|
Tuesday, September 17: 2:00 - 3:30 pm Thursday, October 24: 10:00 -11:30 am |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, Conference Room |
|
$5 R / $6 NR per date |
NEW! Chair Volleyball
(Ages 50+)
Playing volleyball in a chair? You bet! This game follows the rules of regular volleyball with one huge exception- players can’t get out of their chairs! A beach ball replaces the regulation volleyball, the net is lower, and the game is played from a sitting position. As a bonus, there are health benefits; it can help reduce stress, boost self-esteem, and build confidence.
|
Tuesdays, September 17 or October 22 |
|
1:00 - 2:00 pm |
|
Sports & Recreation Center, West Gym |
|
$5 R / $6 NR per date |
 |
Colleen Rittmeyer Knitting Instructor, Craft Yarn Council certified instructor, Upper and Lower Elementary Montessori Certified teacher, director of Barb City Homeschool Co-op
Colleen has long had a passion for teaching! She taught for three years at a private Montessori school while attending NIU for their Elementary Education program. After that, she took a break to be home with her own children, and began her homeschooling journey. Through this, she has run several homeschool programs in the community, including programming at three area libraries, and two separate homeschooling groups with over 500 combined families total. She also runs a secular homeschool co-op, teaching ages 5 through high school.
Colleen has also been knitting since the age of 8, in addition to crocheting for the past decade. She has taught this skill for years, including as a Craft Yarn Council certified instructor at Michael's and through programming at the DeKalb library. She loves seeing people learn to create with their hands and working with them to overcome any challenges they might face. |
