Here’s a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of April 23-29:

April 24, 25, 26, & 27 - Biking: Buddy Pegs Bike Club (Ages 5-10)

Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park Shelter #1, 12500 W. 119^th St., Overland Park; Shawnee Mission Park Shelter #2, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa; Heritage Park Shelter #2, 16000 Pflumm Road, Olathe; Antioch Park Shelter #3, 6501 Antioch, Merriam; days vary (see below), 4 to 5:30 p.m., 4 sessions, $149 per person, $164 nonresidents 

School is out for the day but the learning continues – let’s ride! Buddy Pegs Bike Club is a chance for your elementary age children to further develop their bike skills and life skills in a fun, safe, team environment. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders will enjoy the camaraderie of a team sport without the pressure to compete, develop their love for bike riding with the right skills (including mountain biking where available), and develop critical life skills like resilience, self-confidence, empathy, connection to their community, and respect for the environment. This four-week Bike Club session is full of on-the-bike and off-the-bike games and bicycle rides appropriate to each child’s ability level. Certified Buddy Pegs coaches focus on teaching a broad range of bicycle skills, bicycle safety, and fitness for every ability level while helping kids develop the values of stewardship, teamwork, ownership, kindness, and empathy (S.T.O.K.E.). Buddy Pegs ride leaders will work hard to ensure that all kids individually progress in their skills and double their excitement for biking throughout each class. Monday class beginning April 24 at Stoll Park Shelter #1, activity number 26167. Tuesday class beginning April 25 at SMP Shelter #2, activity number 26168. Wednesday class beginning April 26 at HP Shelter #2, activity number 26169. Thursday class beginning April 27 at AP Shelter #3, activity number 26170.

April 24 - Group Youth Swim Lessons (Ages 6 months & Older)

Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, 17251 W. 87th St., Lenexa, Mondays and Wednesdays, 14 classes in seven levels, beginning times, and class durations vary, 8 sessions, $65 per child, $72 nonresidents

Lesson levels include: Tot & Me, Preschool A, Preschool B, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. Most levels are assigned based on skill level rather than age. Find descriptions of swim levels here, or use our Swim Level Assessment Form here. Search and register for Group Swim Lessons here.

April 25 - Reading: Wanderlust Book Club - “The Sex Lives of Cannibals” (Ages 50 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 2 to 3 p.m., $5 per person, $6 nonresidents

Intertwine your love of travel and a good book with a travel-themed book club. Each month, enjoy the selected book from the list and conclude the month at the clubhouse with a group discussion on how it relates to your travel and how it may inspire your Wanderlust. This month’s book is “The Sex Lives of Cannibals” by Maarten Troost. At the age of twenty-six, Troost — who had been pushing the snooze button on the alarm clock of life by racking up useless graduate degrees and muddling through a series of temp jobs — decided to pack up his flip-flops and move to Tarawa, a remote South Pacific island in the Republic of Kiribati. He was restless and lacked direction, and the idea of dropping everything and moving to the ends of the earth was irresistibly romantic. He should have known better. “The Sex Lives of Cannibals” tells the hilarious story of what happens when Troost discovers that Tarawa is not the island paradise he dreamed of. Falling into one amusing misadventure after another, Troost struggles through relentless, stifling heat, a variety of deadly bacteria, polluted seas, toxic fish — all in a country where the only music to be heard for miles around is “La Macarena.” He and his stalwart girlfriend Sylvia spend the next two years battling incompetent government officials, alarmingly large critters, erratic electricity, and a paucity of food options (including the Great Beer Crisis); and contending with a bizarre cast of local characters, including “Half-Dead Fred,” and the self-proclaimed Poet Laureate of Tarawa (a British drunkard who’s never written a poem in his life.)  Activity number 24817.

April 25 - Early Learning: Mother Nature Stories (Ages 2-5)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., $8 per person, $9 nonresidents

NEW! Join Ernie Miller Nature Center staff at Meadowbrook Park for story time! Meet Mother Nature herself and celebrate Earth Day. See one of Mother Nature’s animal friends up-close and discover how you can help the Earth. Activity number 24571.

April 25 - Museum: "Remembering the Past, Beginning Anew" (Ages 16 & Older)

Johnson County Museum at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 6 to 7 p.m., $8 per person, $6.40 for museum members

In the late 1950s a group of Kansas City Holocaust survivors came together to form the New Americans Club. Within a few years they commissioned one of the country’s first Holocaust memorials and established an annual commemorative program. Yet, they were interested in so much more than their common past that united them. By examining their projects and priorities we gain important insight into their integration into American life and community in the metro area. This talk will follow their growth and change as the Jewish community of Kansas City moved into Johnson County. Activity number 26237.

April 27 - Day Trip: Locked Up in the State Pen (Ages 50 & Older)

Departs from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch, Merriam, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., $145 per person

Travel to Jefferson City, Mo., and take a guided tour through the Missouri State Penitentiary and learn why it was called “the bloodiest 47 acres.” See places like cells, the dungeon, and even the gas chamber. Learn about escape attempts, riots, female inmates, and more. Enjoy lunch at Prison Brews Grill and Bar and end the day at Colonel Alvin R. Lubker Memorial Safety & Education Center. Here, you’ll learn about the history of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and see exhibits on display. Extensive walking and standing are to be expected on this trip. Stairs will also be used on tour. Activity number 24643.

April 29 - Biking: Buddy Pegs Weekend Mountain Bike School (Ages 5-10)

Shawnee Mission Park Shelter #2 (except Shelter #4 on May 6), 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee & Lenexa, 2 to 4 p.m., 4 sessions, $175 per person, $193 nonresidents

Mountain Bike School is a chance for beginner, intermediate, and advanced mountain bike kids to further develop their mountain bike skills, safety, social emotional learning, and fitness. Kids will enjoy the camaraderie of a team sport without the pressure to compete, develop their love for mountain biking, and develop critical life skills like resilience, self-confidence, empathy, connection to their community, and respect for the environment. Bike coaching includes: brake modulation using front and back brakes, steering in control, looking ahead, bike body separation, ready position, riding in a group, front wheel lifts, climbing and descending safely, and yielding to other trail users. Off-the-bike activities include bike cleaning and maintenance, bike safety checks, and bike themed games and crafts. Operated by certified Buddy Pegs bike coaches who are known for their patient, compassionate, and fun teaching style. Children grouped by ability level. Note: multi speed bikes with hand brakes and knobby tires required - bike rentals available. Activity number 26201.

April 29 - Map & Compass: Orienteering Workshop (Ages 16 & Older)

Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, 9 a.m. to Noon, $15 per person, $17 nonresidents  

Do you like to hike cross-country but fear losing your way? This beginner’s workshop introduces you to orienteering, a fun way of learning the basic skills for using a topographic map and a magnetic compass. This class includes a practice orienteering hike in the park. Workbook and loan of compass are provided. Dress for the weather. Not recommended for youth under ten years old. Youth under 16 years old must be accompanied by a registered adult. Instructor: Possum Trot Orienteering Club. Activity number 24189.

April 29 - Open House: TimberRidge Adventure Center (All Ages)

TimberRidge Adventure Center, 12300 S. Homestead Lane, Olathe, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., FREE

Choose from several activities during our annual Open House: archery, BB gun shooting, canoeing, hiking, fishing, kayaking, pedal boating, and other fun activities. Participants need to be 8 years or older for the BB gun and archery range activities. Fishing is available, however participants ages 16 and older are required to have Kansas fishing license. Licenses will not be sold on site. Cops n’ Bobbers will be on site with poles and bait available for use or you may bring your own. For more information contact 913-826-2800. Activity number 24576.

April 29 - Open House: TRAC Hawks Nest Climbing Wall (Ages 12 & Older)

TimberRidge Adventure Center, 12300 S. Homestead Lane, Olathe, 10 starting times in 15-minute increments between 9:30 and 11:45 a.m., FREE but preregistration is required

Climbers need to pre-register starting April 1 as space is limited. Climbing participants are required to complete medical and liability releases prior to participating. Children under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian’s signature. To register, click here.  For more information contact 913-826-2800. Climbers need to arrive 30 min before scheduled climbing time to check in and submit paperwork.

April 29 - Family Fun: Hooked on Fishing (Ages 4-12)

Meadowbrook Park Shelter #2, 9101 Nall Ave, Prairie Village, 9 to 11 a.m., $10 per person, $13 nonresidents

NEW! Spend the morning away from the T.V, game or phone and join us for a morning of fishing and donuts at Meadowbrook Park. This event is for kids 12 and under with an adult. One pole per child. Prizes will be given for top fisherman in different categories at the end of the event. Activity number 24801.