BRATTLEBORO — The Recreation and Parks Department, 207 Main St., offers programs and activities for youth during holiday vacation. For information on these and other programs, call 802-254-5808, or visit www.brattleboro.org.
Open Gym
Open Gym & Game Room is a free, supervised program with a variety of activities at the Gibson-Aiken Center. Basketball, foosball, air hockey, bumper pool, and arts and crafts. Feel free to drop kids off, or stay and enjoy the games with them.
The program will be open: Dec. 26-28 and 31, and Jan. 2, 2013, from 1:30- 5 p.m. for all ages. It will also be open on Saturday, Dec. 22 and 29 from 1-4 p.m. for grade 7 and up. Open gym and game room are closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Winter Mini Camp
A Winter Mini Camp for children 5-11 will be held Dec. 26-28 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Gibson-Aiken Center. (Children may stay for open gym at 1:30.)
The cost of the three-day camp is $30 for Brattleboro residents, $45 for non-residents. The per-day fee is $10 for Brattleboro residents, $13 for non-residents. Morning snack will be provided, but please bring a noon lunch and a drink.
Many great activities have been planned, such as arts and crafts, new games, and sports. Early registration is appreciated.
Skating time
The Nelson Withington Skating Facility is open for the season, with public skating available Mondays 7-9 p.m. (dollar night); Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. to noon; Fridays 7 p.m. to midnight; Sundays 9:15-10:15 p.m. (adults only); Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 7-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; and Sundays, 1:45-4:45 p.m. (all ages).
On Dec. 26-28, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day, open skating is offered from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The rink is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Skate rentals are available at the rink for $2.50. $5 snack bar gift cards are available as last-minute stocking stuffers.
Hockey clinic
The department offers a power skating and skills clinic focusing on proper skating technique and the skills necessary to play.
Professional staff from Pride Hockey (www.pridehockey.net) lead the clinic at the Nelson Withington Skating Facility on Dec. 26-28, from 8:45-10:15 a.m.
The cost of the clinic is $75 for Brattleboro residents, $90 for non-residents. To register for the clinic, call or stop by the office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, or 1 to 5 p.m.
Basketball clinic
A basketball clinic is set for Thursday, Dec. 27, at the Gibson-Aiken Center. The clinic is for boys and girls of all abilities in grades K-6. The cost for this one-day clinic is $5 for Brattleboro Recreation and Parks players, $10 for all others.
Children in grades K-2 will meet from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Children in grades 3-6 will meet from noon to 1:30 p.m. Paul Freed and the Brattleboro Union High School varsity girls' basketball team will lead the clinic. Early registration is appreciated.
Movie matinee
The department will present a movie matinee of Madagascar 3 on Wednesday, Dec. 26, in the conference room of the Gibson-Aiken Center. Free juice and popcorn will be provided. The movie starts at 2 p.m., and children of all ages are welcome.
Bowling day
The department and the Brattleboro Bowl will co-sponsor a Bowling Day on Friday, Dec. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the bowling alley on Putney Road. Children younger than 10 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
The cost per person is $7 and includes two games, shoes, and a hot dog and drink.