PARKS & RECREATION

April 17, 2007 12:35 am

STAFFORD Spring Peepers Twilight Hike: May 11. Join Stafford County Parks and Recreation and listen to musical sounds of the night made by insects, owls, frogs and more at Curtis Park Shelter 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.. Hike through the woods and see if you can identify what you hear. The evening concludes with roasting marshmallows by a cozy campfire. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Fee: $5 per person or $15 per family. The deadline to register is May 4. SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS Kinderdance: May 2-23. For 3- to 5-year-olds. A planned developmental dance and movement fitness program taught in three levels. Each four-week session will include instruction in ballet, tap, acrobatics and creative dance. All classes will be held at the Stafford Gymnastics and Recreation Center, 500 Nelms Circle in Falmouth. Fee: County residents $55, nonresidents $65.

Camp Discovery I: For preschoolers. Four sessions--June 18-22, July 2-6, July 16-20, July 23-27. 8:30 a.m. to noon. Half-day camps with a special event or show, arts & crafts, games, water play, music, storytelling and motor development skills. Campers must be 3 years old by first day of camp and must be toilet-trained. Fee: County residents $70, nonresidents $80.

Camp Discovery II: is a full-day camp for older preschoolers, 5- and 6-year-olds. Provides a structured camp experience for children who will begin kindergarten this coming fall. Camp activities include a field trip, arts & crafts, games, swimming, storytelling and motor development skills. Camps are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bus transportation is available for an additional $35. Deadline is two weeks prior to start date or until full. Sessions and prices are as follows:

July 9-July 13 Courthouse Community Center. County residents $100; nonresidents $110.

Aug. 6-10 Curtis Park Shelter. County residents $100, nonresidents $110.

Crafty Kids' Camp: June 18-22, 1-3 p.m. For 6 to 11 year olds. Half-day arts & crafts camp at the Stafford Gymnastics & Recreation Center. Children will explore all types of crafts during this one-week camp. Fee: county residents $65, nonresidents $75. Camp fee includes instruction and all supplies. There will be a Special Art Show for parents on June 22 at 2:30 p.m. Deadline is June 11 or until full. SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS Get Healthy Now! For ages 16 and older. Learn how to make intelligent decisions on health-related issues during these hour-long seminars. Each class will include a 30-minute interactive presentation, followed by a 30-minute discussion. Classes at Stafford Gymnastics and Recreation Center on Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Fee: $10 per class, and the deadline to register is one week prior or until full.

Class topics are:

April 19: Anti-aging Strategies

April 26: Balancing Hormones Naturally

Happy Hikes for Healthy Humans: A series of hikes to help discover the many rewards nature has to offer. These monthly hikes will take you to a variety of interesting, historic and beautiful places. Hikes will be easy to moderate, cover three to four miles and accommodate a variety of hiking speeds. For ages 16 and older. The deadline to register is one week prior to the hike. Pre-registration is required. Fee: $5 per hike.

The following hike are being offered:

May 2, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., White Oak Canyon

TRIPS Baltimore aquarium: April 28. Join Stafford County Parks and Recreation on a day trip to the aquarium in Baltimore and "sea" it all. Explore the four corners of the globe. Price includes the dolphin show. After touring the aquarium, there will be time for lunch or shopping at the Inner Harbor. The fee is $44 for children ages 3 to 11; $46 for students ages 12 to 18; $56 for ages 19 to 59; and a discounted rate of $38 for ages 60 and older. Youths 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Limited seating is available. Deadline is until full.

The Stafford Parks and Recreation Department can be reached at 540/373-8192.