Johnson County Park and Recreation District Program Highlights - December 28, 2022

Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our community, Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers year-round program, activities, and special events for all ages!

For more information or to register online for the programs listed here, visit JCPRD.com/Register and complete a search for any of the activity numbers listed below. To register by phone, call 913-831-3359. For all in-person programs, physical distancing and COVID-19 safe practices will be encouraged.

A reminder that while JCPRD’s 50 Plus programs are primarily for people who are age 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the 50 Plus Department at 913-826-2975 for space availability.

I’ve attached photos that go with:  Tree Recycling, Homeschool Art Adventures, Mah Jongg Chinese New Year Party, and Lifeguard Training

Here's a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of Jan. 15-21:

Through Jan. 31 - Holiday Tree Recycling (All Ages)

The Theatre in the Park, 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee (just north of the main entrance of Shawnee Mission Park); Heritage Park, 16000 Pflumm Road, Olathe (marina parking lot); Kill Creek Park, 11670 Homestead Lane, Olathe (marina parking lot); and Big Bull Creek Park, 20425 Sunflower Road, Edgerton; regular winter park hours, which are 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., except at Shawnee Mission Park, which opens at 6 a.m.

Trees will be collected at all four sites during regular winter park hours. No yard waste will be accepted - only natural Christmas trees. Wrappers should be removed from the discarded trees as well as any remaining decorations, particularly “icicles” and decorations made from mylar, shiny plastic, or aluminum. There is no charge for the disposal of trees. The program is open to anyone regardless of residency. Call 913-888-4713 for more information.

Jan. 17 - Art: Homeschool Art Adventures III (Ages 12-17)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to Noon, 11 sessions, $192.50 per person, $212 nonresidents

Advanced and experienced artists who have developed a sincere interest in art will use skills previously learned as well as prior knowledge of art theory and history to do a deep dive into different art mediums and create intentional works of art. This class is designed to supplement your homeschool curriculum and encourage you to explore art through consideration, conversation, and creation! Activity number 25593. Session with same cost and dates meeting 1 to 3 p.m., activity number 23924.

Jan. 18 - Art: Homeschool Art Adventures I (Ages 6-10)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to Noon, 11 sessions, $192.50 per person, $212 nonresidents

Beginner & Intermediate artists with little to no prior experience or formal instruction will get the opportunity to learn basic art skills while exploring art history and art theory. This class is designed to supplement your homeschool curriculum and encourage you to explore art through consideration, conversation, and creation! Activity number 23920.

Jan. 18 - Art: Homeschool Art Adventures II (Ages 8-13)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., 11 sessions, $192.50 per person, $212 nonresidents

Intermediate artists will hone skills learned in previous art experiences while following instructions and working independently, try out more advanced techniques and mediums, as well as having an opportunity to explore art history and art theory. This class is designed to supplement your homeschool curriculum and encourage students to explore art through consideration, conversation, and creation!  Activity number 23923. Thursday session with same cost and meeting time beginning Jan. 19, activity number 23923.

Jan. 18 - Games: Virtual Scattergories® (Ages 50 & Older)

Virtual Program, 10 to 11 a.m., FREE

Think fast and write quicker in this fun and fast-paced game of alliterative words and categories!  Zoom link will be emailed the day prior to the program. Zoom information is also on the receipt notes. Activity number 24367.

Jan. 18 - Bingo: Bingo, It’s a New Year (Ages 50 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave, Prairie Village, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., $5 per person, $6 nonresidents

1^st of a new season! BINGO! Delight in food, prizes, fun, and 12 games of bingo. Variety of prizes awarded including gift certificates. Space is limited, register early by calling 913-831-3359. Cost of admission covers food and staff time to administer the bingo program. No additional charge for bingo. Activity number 24284. See all upcoming 50 Plus Bingo sessions.

Jan. 19 - Day Trip: Toys & Trenches (Ages 50 & Older)

Departs from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch, Merriam, 9:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m., $107 per person

Visit the National WW I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City and enjoy a guided tour of the current exhibits. The observation tower will not be accessible due to weather. After lunch, take a trip down memory lane at The National Museum of Toys/Miniatures. Discover the home of the world’s largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one of the largest collections of historic toys. Extensive walking and standing are to be expected on this trip. Activity number 24633.

Jan. 19 - Little Critter’s Day Out: Ice Age Exploration (Ages 3-5)

Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, 9 a.m. to Noon, $20 per person, $22 nonresidents

Your Little Critter will enjoy three hours of fun and education once as you enjoy some personal time! Activities will vary but we will have an adventure, eat a snack, make a craft, play games, and see an animal visitor each day. Dress for the weather. Children must be potty trained. For more information call 913-826-2800. Advanced registration required. Sign up for just the Thursdays you want or for all of them! Activity number 24684. To see all upcoming Little Critter’s Day Out sessions, click here.

Jan. 19 - 22 - JCPRD Lifeguard Training - January (Ages 15 & Older)

Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, 17251 W. 87^th Street, Lenexa, 4 to 6 p.m. session via Zoom on Jan. 19, on-site from 4 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 20, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily on Jan. 21 and 22, FREE to potential JCPRD employees

This blended learning American Red Cross Lifeguarding class is intended for potential JCPRD employees only. If you do not wish to lifeguard for JCPRD, then this is not the class for you. Please also fill the form out at JCPRD.com/FormCenter/Aquatics-16/Aquatics-Job-Interest-Form-523.

Jan. 20 - Games: Mah Jongg Chinese New Year Party (Ages 50 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., $16 per person, $17 nonresidents

NEW! Come help us celebrate with some fun games of Mah Jongg. This will be a full day of friends new and old. All while showing off your best skills of the game. Tables will be mixed and matched, and players will rotate to help you meet new friends. Lunch, desserts, and drinks will be served, and prizes will be given to the top three players! Cost of admission covers food and staff time to administer the mah jongg program. No additional charge for mah jongg program. Activity number 24805.

Jan. 20 - Special Interest: Travels with Grandad - Boston (Ages 50 & Older)

Virtual Program, 10 to 11 a.m., FREE 

NEW! + 2nd of 5! Join presenter Hal Costly, for a series of virtual events as he shares his explorations of destinations he's experienced with his grandsons. Destinations for this travelogue: Boston, Springfield, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Activity number 24864. For all upcoming Travels with Grandad sessions this season, click here.