Opportunities and Connections for All

The Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation Department is offering several after school programs for students in elementary school.  The great thing about the classes is that they are located conveniently at each of the 4 elementary schools located within the Menomonee Falls School District, and are held immediately after school.

Crazy Chemistry
Partnership with Mad Science of Waukesha County
Your child will explore the world of chemistry by creating a tiny world of atoms and even a set of Atomic Coins.  They will learn to manipulate laboratory equipment, and how to use Graduated Gear for research at home.  The fun will continue as they explore pH extremes and the properties of light and glow in the dark technology.  Classes begin September 28.

Theme Based Spanish
Partnership with Futura Language Professionals
Join our class amigos Dani and Beto on two exiting Spanish adventures!  In the Fall class, Vamos a Jugar! (Let's Play!), our class amigos will lead students on an exploration of games, sports, and hobbies that children throughout Mexico love.  Students will learn game-related Spanish vocabulary and glimpse the cultural phenomenon that is futbol (soccer).  Dani and Beto join us again in Spring for an exciting animal adventure with Vamos con los Animales!  (Let's go with the animals!)  For eight jam-packed sessions, we will blaze new trails to a pet store, a farm, the zoo, the ocean, and even the rainforest!  Appropriate for students with or without previous Spanish experience.  Classes begin October 1.

Chess
Partnership with CheckMates Chess Academy
We invite your children to join us in our exploration of the world of chess.  We will study chess tactics such as pins, forks, and skewers while playing many chess related games like Revolver and Mirror Chess.  Students of all levels will be challenged and receive prizes along their journey from Cadet to Admiral!  CheckMates Chess Academy's Rise in Rank program guides children through strategies in chess with workbooks, online support, and exciting class.  Classes begin October 12.

 For additional information call (262) 255-8460, or to register visit www.fallsrec.org.

If your team is looking for a fall home, the CE & Rec Department has you covered.  Join our Fall Adult Sports Leagues today!  This year's offerings will include Men's and Coed Softball; Men's, Women's and Coed Volleyball; and Men's Basketball.  There are a variety of league options and days of the week to choose from but openings are filling fast, so don't delay!

Team contracts and registration information is available online at www.fallsrec.org, or at the CE & Rec Office located at W152 N8645 Margaret Road.

If you don't have a team, please call Dan Zeroth at 262-255-8460 to be put onto the "Free Agent" list.

The Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation Department is running several sport camps throughout August.

MFHS Varsity Dance Team Pom Pon Camp
Ages 5 - 12
Make new friends while working as a  team to perform routines taught by the MFHS Varsity Dance Team!  Participants will be broken into age appropriate groups and taught routines that incorporate pom, kick, and jazz styles of dance.  The participants will perform what they have learned for their parents and friends on the last day of camp.

Challenger Sports Soccer Camp
Ages 3 - 4
Young players are introduced to the sport of soccer through fundamental activities, games and challenges.  Parents are encouraged to join in and help guide their child through this fun learning experience.

Ages 4 - 6
Children will participate in fun games, competitions and skill building activities designed to enlighten and develop budding soccer players.

Ages 6 - 9
In this all action soccer camp, emphasis is placed on skill development and mastery of core techniques through individual and small group practices and coached games.

Cross Country Camp
Ages 8 - 14
Athletes will learn all about the sport of cross country running, including stretching, nutrition, training and racing.

For days, dates, times, locations and fees visit www.fallsrec.org.

Join your friends and family at the North Middle School Pool for Open/Family Swim on Friday, July 17 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.  Rock on with a D.J. providing a mix of music from classic Beach Boys to today's Top 40.

$2 Children, $3 Adults or Current Season Swim Pass

• Best Design
• Most Abstract
• Field of Dreams
• Best Use of Color
• Super Hero's Save the Day
• Most Patriotic

Check out the Chalk it Up Pictures at fallsrec.org.

Thanks to Pop's Frozen Custard, Odyssey Family Restaurant, The Milwaukee Bucks and Target for their support!

Let's Eat!  Indulge your child's appetite for language and culture with this theme based Spanish class.  With the help of our fun-loving puppets Dani and Beto, your child will sing, dance, create, play, and act their way towards fluency with food-related Spanish vocabulary.  Buen Provecho!

Class Details
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 to 11:00 AM, July 20 - 23, Community Center, Residents $99, Non-residents $119

Register online at fallsrec.org.

The school year is winding down quick (just in case your child hasn't started his or her countdown)!  Have you talked to your children about what summer activities they would like to participate in?  It's not too late to register for programs through Menomonee Falls CE & Rec.

The Summer Kids INC program is a "camp like" program that provides group activities for children in a safe and supervised environment.  Rain or shine activities include:  indoor and outdoor group sports and activities, arts & crafts, games, sports, swimming, special events, field trips and more!  Leaders at each site will divide participants into 3 groups based on age.

Check out pictures from last year's Summer Kids INC program under the "Check this Out" section at fallsrec.org.

No Extra Fees for Field Trips
Field trip costs are included in the Summer Kids INC program fees, so there are no extra fees to attend the great trips planned for this year.  Trips this year include:

• Country Springs Waterpark
• Tour of Miller Park
• Cedarburg Community Pool
• Village Bowl
• Pirate's Hollow Waterpark in Port Washington
• Marcus Cinemas
• Wirth Park Pool
• Fox Brook Park
• JCC Family Park
• MF Police & Fire Departments

Come Late, or Leave Early - It's up to You
The program runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Come late, or leave early it's up to you.  You may drop off or pick up your child at any time.  However, on field trip days parents are encouraged not to pick their child up early from the field trip site.  For those parents who start work before 8:00 AM or don't finish until after 5:00 PM, we also provide early drop off (6:30 to 8:00 AM) and late pick up (5:00 to 6:00 PM).

Program Offered All Summer Long
Register for one session at a time or the entire summer all at once.  Summer Kids INC sites are located at Ben Franklin Elementary or North Middle Schools.  Session dates include:

• June 17 - 19
• June 22 - July 2
• July 6 - 17
• July 20 - 31
• August 3 - 14
• August 17 - 21 (Community Center Only)
• August 24 - 28 (Community Center Only)

You may register your child throughout the summer up until the start date of each particular session.

The Summer Kids INC program is available for all students entering grades 1 - 6.  For pricing and additional information visit fallsrec.org or call (262) 255-8460.

In cooperation with the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Association (WPRA), Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation is happy to offer the discount tickets listed below.  With the exception of Great America WPRA Week (July 3 - 12) tickets are good on any day of the week during the summer.  Tickets may be purchased by cash, check, Visa and Mastercard.  They will be on sale May 11 - August 14 between the hours of 8:15 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday.

GREAT AMERICA & HURRICANE HARBOR WATER PARK

Any Day Tickets
Gate Price:  $56.64
Your Price:  $34.00

WPRA Week Special
Must be used July 3 - July 12
Your Price:  $28.00

NOAH'S ARK WATER PARK

Gate Price:  $37.08
Your Price:  $28.00

MT. OLYMPUS WATER & THEME PARK

Gate Price:  $42.40
Your Price:  $29.00

MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO

Adults (Ages 13+)
Gate Price:  $12.25
Your Price:  $10.00

Child (Ages 3-12)
Gate Price:  $9.25
Your Price:  $8.00

Resident registration for summer programs offered through Menomonee Falls CE & REC begins at 12:01 AM on Tuesday, April 21 (the night of April 20).  The best way to get into the class of your choice is to register online at www.fallsrec.org.  Non-resident registration begins Friday, April 24 at 12:01 AM (the night of April 23).

Traditional Summer Programs

• Summer Kids INC (Playgrounds)
• Swim Lessons (Daily and Weekly)
• Safety Town
• Youth Sports Camps
• Adult Athletics
• Chalk it Up
• Lego and Science Camps
• Tennis (Youth and Adult)

Serving up New Summer Activities

In addition to its traditional summer programs and programs offered year round, CE & REC is offering 30 NEW programs this summer.

• Let's Get Growing
• Cooking Pals
• Trip to the Jelly Belly Factory
• Kingdoms and Castles Drawing
• Pixar Pictures Drawing
• Let's Eat! (Vamos a Comer)
• Beginning Guitar
• Intermediate / Advanced Guitar
• CSI - Super Science
• Science Sleuths
• Advanced Robotics
• Alternative Energy with Lego
• Family Fun Nights
• Parent / Child Sports Sampler
• Parent / Child Sports
• Gold Medal Speed Camp
• Cross Country Coed Running Camp
• ACT: Abs, Core & Training
• High School Prep
• Laws of Attraction I
• Laws of Attraction II
• Tanzania Cooking
• Trip to Phantom of the Opera
• Generations Online
• Fabric Painting
• Grandparent / Grandchild Wii Bowling
• Let's Visit Alaska
• The Soldiers of Poverty
• Trip to Temple Farms
• Trip to Drury Lane Dinner Theater

For course descriptions, times, dates, and fees for all CE & REC programs visit www.fallsrec.org!

Registering Online

• Visit www.fallsrec.org
• Select ONLINE COURSES & REGISTRATION
• SIGN IN using your username and password.  If you do not know your username and password, contact the CE & REC office at (262) 255-8460
• Select SEARCH and enter the name of the class you wish to find in the COURSE NAME field
• Click to add checkmark in box for class you want
• Select ADD TO SHOPPING CART
• You will then be prompted asking how many students you would like to register.  If you are registering more than one, be sure to change the value in the # OF STUDENTS field
• If you have a household profile, select the name(s) of the students you wish to enroll
• Select ADDITIONAL CLASSES if desired or proceed through the CHECKOUT

The Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation Department Kids INC program is holding a Pet Supply / Food Drive February 26 - March 6.

Students enrolled in the Kids INC program are encouraged to ask friends, family members and teachers to donate new and slightly used pet supplies and equipment.  Pet food is also needed.  All items will be donated to the Human Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County (HAWS).

Drop Off Sites
Drop off supplies at any of the four Kids INC sites between the hours of 6:30 to 8:30 AM or 3:30 to 6:00 PM.  The Kids INC sites include:

Ben Franklin Basement
Riverside Cafeteria
Shady Lane Cafeteria
Valley View Gym

Special Presentation of Supplies Collected
On Friday, March 6 representatives from HAWS along with some animal friends will visit the Ben Franklin and Riverside sites during the full day Kids INC program.  At this time, students will present the donated items to HAWS.

HAWS "Wish List"
HAWS "Wish List" contains items they use on a daily basis to keep the shelter running smoothly.  The top 4 items HAWS wishes for are underlined.

• CANNED AND DRY KITTEN FOOD
• KMR Formula - Kitten Milk Replacement
• Cat litter - clay  
• Litter boxes - 8"x12"
• Electric Heating Pads (for kittens under 2 weeks of age)

• Canned puppy & dog food
• Large rawhides & pig ears
• Pup-peroni Brand Dog Treats
• Cotton or Nylon leashes for medium and large dogs (1" wide, 6' long)
• Limited slip/martingale collars
• PLEASE, NO DOG BISCUITS AT THIS TIME - WE CURRENTLY HAVE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY!

3-2-1 ACTION!  Have you ever wanted to produce your own TV show?  If so, this is a great program for you.  This program, offered through Menomonee Falls Cable Access and Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation, will provide training in basic aspects of video production including acquisition, editing, staging, lighting and camera operation.  After successful completion of the course, students will earn accreditation to use Cable Access facilities and equipment to produce their own shows.  No previous experience needed.  All equipment and supplies are provided.  Some outside classroom work will be assigned, but is guaranteed to be fun!

Next program starts March 11!  For additional information, or to register, visit www.fallsrec.org.

When most individuals think about swimming they think about summer, sun, waterparks, outdoor pools and beaches.  Residents of Menomonee Falls (and nonresidents too) have the luxury of swimming year round at the North Jr. High Swimming Pool.  Not only is it convenient, it's also reasonably priced at $2 per child and $3 per adult.  If interested, season swim passes are also available.

10 Reasons to Visit the Pool

1. It's a great place to spend an evening or afternoon with the family when it's cold, raining or snowing outside.
2. It's a great place to have your child's birthday party.
3. Swimming is a great way to help achieve certain New Year's resolutions.
4. Do you have a child in swimming lessons?  It's a great way for him or her to practice what they have learned.
5. It's a great venue for working towards your Boy Scout, Girl Scout, Brownies or Cub Scouts badge.
6. It's a great place for friends to hang out.
7. Swimming and water do wonders for joints and muscles.
8. When school's out attend one of our Splash Parties.
9. It's a great place to go for a weekend play date (parents must accompany children under 7).
10. It's a great place for kids to burn off energy before that Friday night sleepover.

For February 1 - April 29
(Closed February 27 & April 10-18)

OPEN/FAMILY SWIM
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

ADULT LAP SWIM
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
8:00 - 9:00 p.m.*
Saturday
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

*Shared pool - 2 lanes available for lap swim.

SCHOOL'S OUT SPLASH PARTY
No School today!  Looking for something fun to do?  Join your friends and family for open swim at the North Jr. High Pool from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Thursday, March 12
Monday, April 13
Wednesday, April 15

For additional information regarding Open/Family and Adult Lap Swim, visit the Aquatics page at www.fallsrec.org, or call 262-255-8460.

The Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation Department is looking for individuals interested in working with its Summer Kids INC Program (Playgrounds).  This is a great opportunity for college students working towards a degree in education, teachers who are looking for something to keep them busy during the summer, or anyone who just has a passion for working with children!  Leaders are generally scheduled 35 to 40 hours per week.

The program is scheduled to start Wednesday, June 17 (providing the School District of Menomonee Falls has no more snow/cold days) and run through August 28.  During the last two weeks of August the program is reduced from two sites to one, resulting in a reduction of staff.  Staff training and in-services will take place during the first part of June.

A complete job description and application can be downloaded from the Employment Page at fallsrec.org.  Interviews will take place beginning the second week of March.  To view pictures from the 2008 Summer Kids INC Program, visit the Photo Galleries at fallsrec.org.

Students in grades 6 - 12 are invited to come to the Teen Center Friday, December 19 and Saturday, December 20 to celebrate the holidays with their friends and win some great prizes!  Raffles will take place every half hour and everyone in attendance will be put into a drawing for a second semester TPass.  Students will also have the opportunity to win (2) tickets to the Milwaukee Bucks game against the Raptors at 7:00 PM on Monday, January 5.  Drawing for the TPass and the Bucks tickets will take place at 9:30 PM on Saturday.  Students do not need to be present on Saturday to win.  Winners will be notified by phone.

Teen Center Hours
Fridays (Grades 6-8)
6:30 to 10:00 PM

Saturdays (Grades 6-12)
6:30 to 10:00 PM

Winter Break Teen Center Hours
There will be special Teen Center hours from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Monday, December 29 and Friday, January 2.

The Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation Department would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for their support of 2008-2009 teen programs:

Milwaukee Brewers
Green Bay Packers
Milwaukee Bucks
Community League of Menomonee Falls
Village Bowl
Target
Odyssey Family Restaurant
Mills Fleet Farm

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE MENOMONEE FALLS TEEN CENTER!

Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

The 2009 Winter / Spring Community Education & Recreation Activity Brochure has arrived!  Copies are available at our office or online at www.fallsrec.org.  Additionally, a copy of the brochure will be mailed to all residents beginning this week.

RESIDENT REGISTRATION
Online / Walk-In / Mail / Drop Box / Fax
Monday, December 8

OPEN / NON-RESIDENT REGISTRATION
Online / Walk-In / Mail / Drop Box / Fax
Friday, December 12

Participants can begin registering online at 12:01 AM on these dates.  The office is open at 8:00 AM.  Registering online increases your chances of getting into the classes of your choice!

NEW IN 2009!  ADULT ONLINE EDCUATION COURSES
Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation has partnered up with Education to Go to offer a large variety of online adult education programs.  Our instructor-facilitated online courses are informative, fun convenient, and highly interactive.  Our instructors are famous for their ability to create warm and supportive communities of learners.

Most courses run for six weeks (with a ten-day grace period at the end).  Courses are project-oriented and include lessons, quizzes, hands-on assignments, discussion area, supplementary links, and more!  You can complete any of these courses entirely from your home or office and at any time of the day or night.

Start Dates:
New course sessions begin each month.  Please visit the Adult Online Course section of our online course catalog (www.fallsrec.org) to see exact dates for the courses that interest you.

Instructor:
Online courses are instructor facilitated.  Every course includes an expert instructor.

Location:
All online courses can be taken from the convenience of your home or office.

Fee:
Fees for online courses range from $89 to $150.  Most courses cost $89!

Requirements:
All courses require Internet access, E-mail, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or Firefox web browsers.  Some courses may have additional requirements.  Please visit our online course catalog (www.fallsrec.org) for more information.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW IN 2009?
In addition to our new online adult education programs, we also have many new youth, adult and older adult programs.  Visit www.fallsrec.org to learn more about the following programs:

• Learn Magic With Glen Gerard
• Gymboree Infants
• Gymboree Toddlers
• Youth Entrepreneur Club
• Family Fun Day at Mt. Olympus
• Jr. Basketball Games
• Kids Fishing Clinic
• Advanced Digital Photography
• You and Your Digital Camera
• Old Family Photos & the Digital Age
• The Digital Dilemma - What to Do With Your Digital Pictures
• Adventure Boot Camp
• Zumba
• Adult Dodgeball League
• Spring Golf Tune Up
• Gourmet Coffee Day
• Wii Bowling League
• Nourish Your Noggin
• Stroke and Vascular Disease Prevention
• Basic Bridge
• Trip to Milwaukee Public Museum
• Trip to Chicago Botanical Gardens
• Spanish for the Traveler

Get involved!  Check out the various learning opportunities at www.fallsrec.org!

Students in grades K-12, who participate in programs offered through Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation, are going to do their part to help fight hunger here in Menomonee Falls.

Help the Hunger Challenge
Students in grades K-5 enrolled in the Kids INC Program at any one of the four elementary schools in Menomonee Falls (Ben Franklin, Riverside, Shady Lane, Valley View), are encouraged to collect non-perishable food items from friends, family, neighbors, classmates and teachers.  The items will then be dropped off in the designated areas at the Kids INC sites November 10 - 14.  The Kids INC site with the most items collected per student will win a freshly popped popcorn party.  All items will be donated to the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry.

If you know a student who participates in the Kids INC program, please help support this cause by providing him or her with some items to be donated to the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry.

Free Admission to the Teen Center
Students in grades 6-12 attending the Menomonee Falls Teen Center on Saturday, November 8, 15 & 22 will receive free admission to the Menomonee Falls Teen Center with 2 non-perishable food items.  All items will be donated to the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry.

For additional information about the Kids INC Program or Teen Center, visit www.fallsrec.org.

From A to Z, the Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation Department has you covered.

Adult Sports
Babysitting Classes
Cookie Decorating
Driver's Education
Educational Associates Adult and Youth Educational Programs
Fitness Programs
Golf - Youth and Adult Programs
High School Recreational Sport Leagues
Internet Real Time On-line Registration
Journaling Programs
Knitting
Learn to Skate
Microsoft Office Classes
New Programs
Older Adult Programs
Preschool Playgroup
Quality Programs
Rock Climbing
Social Dance
Teen Center
Understanding Elementary Math
Variety of Programs
Watercolors
Xcellent Instructors
Yoga
Zumba

For additional information on any of these programs, or the many others offered through Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation, please visit www.fallsrec.org or contact us at (262) 255-8460.

Welcome back to all the students in grades six through twelve!  Now that summer is over and the temperatures are starting to drop why not hang out at the Menomonee Falls Teen Center.  Once again, the Teen Center will be open for students in grades six through eight Mondays and Wednesdays after school, as well as Friday evenings.  It is also open Saturday evenings for students in grades nine through twelve.

Back to School Bash
Come to the Back to the School Bash Friday, September 12.  Free pizza from Figaro's will be served between 7:30 and 8:00 PM to all those in attendance.

Special Events Every Month
There will be special events every month.  Events include Halloween Party and Costume Contest, Holiday Party and Toy Drive, Movies, Superbowl Tailgate Party, DJ and Dance, 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament, Contests and more!  For a complete listing of special events visit the Special Events section on our Teen Center web page.

For additional information, including fees, complete schedule, and more visit www.fallsrec.org.

As a member of the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association and an employee of the Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation Department I am very interested in parks and their utilization.  One Monday evening, my wife and I decided to take our dog for a walk through Oakwood Park.  It was amazing to see how many people were utilizing the park, especially when a lot of people I talk to don't even know the park exists.  The Menomonee Falls Angels were playing on one of the softball diamonds, Community Ed. & Recreation Department Tennis Lessons were taking place on several of the tennis courts, a group of children were kicking a soccer ball around one of the soccer fields, the toddler playground was full of little ones running around, a girls basketball practice appeared to be taking place while a group of adults formed their own pick up basketball game.  It was great to see!

Menomonee Falls is unique compared to a lot of other communities.  Our Community Education & Recreation Department and Parks Department are two completely separate agencies.  While the Community Education & Recreation Department is a department under the School District of Menomonee Falls, the Parks Department is under the Village of Menomonee Falls.  Community Education & Recreation administers the programs (Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis Lessons, Flag Football) while the Parks Department maintains parks, trails, fields, diamonds and courts.

Though I am an employee of the School District and not the Village, I wanted to take this opportunity to advocate for the parks in Menomonee Falls.  Many individuals don't realize that our community is made up of many great active and passive parks.  Most are familiar with Village Park because of events such as Falls Fest, The Big PIg Gig, Concerts in the Park, and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, but there are so many more parks with a variety of different amenities and features.  Along with Village Park, there are 16 other parks, plazas and parkways.

Additional parks include Kiwanis, Lime Kiln, Mill Pond, Municipal, Oakwood, Taylor, Willowood, Rivers Edge, Riverside and Rotary.  Along with the parks listed above there is also Menomonee River Parkway, Mill Pond Plaza, Old Falls Village and three undeveloped parks (Tamarack Swamp, Tower Hill Park, Maple Road Park).

For additional information regarding park hours, amenities in the various parks, park locations and park rules please visit http://www.menomonee-falls.org/index.asp?NID=136.