Can you keep active on Gabriola? I think so.

If you are considering moving to Gabriola, but you aren't sure if there is enough to do here to keep busy then you might want to take a look at the Fall Programs put out by the Gabriola Recreation office. There are also classes and groups that you can join that aren't on the list, reading groups, choirs, art groups and so much more. I think that you'd find there is more than enough here to keep you active while you enjoy the island lifestyle.

FALL PROGRAMS - 2010

Registration/Info. at Rec. Office, Rollo McClay Park, 1100 McClay Way

250-247-2014; gabrec@telus.net. Please pre-register to ensure classes “go”.

Info. subject to change. Check our website at: www.gabriolarecreation.org.

ADULTS & TEENS

KARATE (Ages 8+) Mondays: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.; GES Gym; $30/month; $7 drop-in. Learn from certified instructors; gain strength, balance, flexibility, endurance. Progress at your own pace through belt levels.

FENCING (Ages 12+): Mondays, Sept. 13 – Dec. 6 (cancel Oct. 11/Nov. 22, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m; Community Hall; with Spade de Gabriola club, led by instructors Alex McConnell & Imelda Cuthbertson.

Adults: $45; Youth: $25; equipment available. Please wear non-marking runners, long sleeves & pants. Drop-ins: $4 with own equipment; $6 if using club equipment. Beginners welcome.

POWER HOUR: Mon. & Wed., 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., Community Hall. Sept. 20 – Oct. 27 (cancel Oct. 11);

Nov. 1 – Dec. 15 (cancel Nov. 22/24). Up tempo fitness class with instructor Kathryn Sobko aimed at improving cardio, strength and flexibility. $54/session; $50 fitpass; $6 drop-in

BADMINTON (Ages 14+): Tues. Sept. 21 – Dec. 7 (cancel Nov. 23), 7 – 8:30 p.m., Community Hall

For beginners/intermediate with instructor Dave Wong. $48/session; $5 drop-in.

WALK FIT – Jumpstart! Sept. 21 – Oct. 28; Tues. 10 a.m, or Thurs. 5:30 p.m; $25. Meet at Rollo McClay Park GRS office in the portable building. This gentle program with Susan Brooks is for those not currently walking regularly & aimed at getting you started on a routine. Includes warm up/cool down stretches, tips on nutrition, preventing injury & more.

PILATES: Thurs. Sept. 23 – Dec. 9, 3 – 4 p.m; GES; $120/session; $12 drop-in. Learn the basics of mat pilates with instructor Mara Brenner: breathing, joint stabilization, strengthening core & back muscles. Adaptable to all ages, fitness levels

GENEALOGY: Sept. 28 & 30, 10 a.m. – 12; Commons; $50. Everyone has ancestors. Learn how to find yours - where the information is & how to access it. Fill in your own family tree & discover your heritage! Instructors Margaret Mann & Jacquie Jessup are certified by the Nat. Institute for Genealogical Studies.

LEARN TO KNIT: Mon. Oct. 4 – Nov. 8, 1:30 – 3 p.m; W.I.Hall; $54, plus $5 knitting kit. Longtime teacher & artist Leni Balaban will show you how to master the basic skills – knit, purl, cast on & off, do ribbing, joining yarns, & finishing. Participants will complete a stitch sampler & simple project.

Interest Lists (contact GRS office): Emergency First Aid workshop, incl. CPR-C; Introduction to Reiki

KIDS’ STUFF

BALLET with Miss Mara. Fall session: Sept. 21 – Dec. 8; GES Gym.

Mara Brenner is a longtime teacher, trained in Danish Ballet technique and pilates, with considerable experiencein performance, choreography, and theatre. Since moving to Gabriola, her students have performed at numerous special events around the Island. Costume fees extra.

GRADES 1 – 3: Tuesdays, 3 – 4. Barre/centre work; lots of dance exploration with emphasis on fun! $105

GRADES 5 – 7: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Focus on strong technique, artistry & choreography. $150

GRADES 3 – 5: Wednesdays, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Time at barre & centre with focus on alignment, body awareness; explore lyrical dance, creative choreography, journaling and performance. $150

MORE KIDS’ STUFF

TENNIS: Thurs. Sept. 16 – Oct. 14, Huxley Park (weather permitting); volunteer run; $2 drop-in

(Ages 8 – 12): 3:15 – 4:15 p.m; (Ages 13 – 16): 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Let us know if you need a racquet.

BADMINTON: Fridays, Sept. 17 – Oct. 29; with instructor Dave Wong. Learn basic strokes, rules of the game, strategy. (Ages 6 – 9): 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.; (Ages 10 – 13): 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.; $25; $4 drop-in. Parent participation with younger kids encouraged.

GYMNASTICS with NCCP level 2 instructor Mia Goodall; Sun. Sept. 19 – Nov. 14; Comm. Hall

Gymnastics improves strength, flexibility & co-ordination while building confidence & self esteem.

Mia incorporates fun, fitness & the fundamentals of the Cangym program into every lesson.

Parent/Tot: 10 – 10:45 ; $56; Ages 5 - 7: 11 – 12; $72; Ages 3 – 4:12 – 1 pm; $72

MELODYMAKERS (Ages 2 – 5): Wed. Oct. 6 – Nov. 10, 1 – 2 p.m; Community Hall; $48

Musical merriment with Tina Jones and Dinah D. from the Kerplunks. Join this entertaining duo with their multi- instruments, songs, stories & musical crafts for some great fun. Parents welcome! * Please pre-reg.*

BABYSITTER TRAINING (Ages 11+): Sun. Nov. 7; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m; $50. Learn child care skills,

1st aid, injury prevention, games & crafts, your rights & responsibilities; with instructor Cindy Cormons.

SOME COMMUNITY PROGRAMS – volunteer based

At the School: (Ages 14+) GES Gym; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m; Sept. 13 – Apr. 29 (cancelled during school closures)

Monday: Volleyball; Thursday: Badminton; drop-ins: $2 - $5 depending on turnout

At the Community Hall: TAI CHI: Mon. 9:45 am; WOMEN’S BADMINTON: Mon. 2 – 4/Thurs. 7 – 9 pm.

SPINNERS & WEAVERS: meet 1^st Mon. of month, downstairs

At the Agi. Hall: TAI CHI: Mon. & Wed.; ph: 247-9901 for current schedule; GARDEN CLUB: 1^st Thurs. of mo. 7 pm; $10/yr.; $2 drop-in; COFFEEHOUSE: last Fri. of month, 7 pm;

BALL HOCKEY: Sun. 2 p.m; Huxley Park, lacrosse box (behind tennis courts); bring your own gear!

PICKLEBALL: Huxley Park, lacrosse box, weather permitting; Tues./Fri./Sun. 9 – 11 a.m.

SOCCER: Sun. 2 p.m.; School Field, weather permitting; drop-in $2

TENNIS: Huxley Pk; in season; see sign on fence for mens/womens/mxd. doubles times; $20 yr.

WALKING GROUP: Wed. 10 a.m; meets at a different location each week; 247-9774

Childcare Options on the Island

If you’re looking for the perfect place for your tiny tot on Gabriola there are a few options to consider:

Hope Center offers a few options, they have a daycare, preschool and after school programs. You can visit their website at www.gabriolahopecentre.com or phone them at 250.247.8730. They are located in the North End of Gabriola near the Elementary school and Village.

Perry Road Preschool is in the South End of the Island and is open on Monday and Wednesday mornings for 2.5-5yr olds, Christine Watt is ECE trained and can be reached at 250.247.7478.

Gabriola Co-Op Preschool is run out of the Community Hall in the South End of Gabriola and is held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. If you’d like more information leave a message at 250.247.9292.

Private you’ll also find people that will care for your children in your home, if you’re looking for some names let me know, I’d be happy to pass them along.

You’ll find lots of activities posted on the bulletin boards and in the Sounder to keep your little one busy, some are run privately and other are run through the Gabriola Recreation Society (www.gabriolarecreation.org). These include, swimming lessons (summer only), gymnastics, yoga, and art and dance classes.