Residents now have more than recreational programs to choose from at the Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation department. Virtual Travel Adventures and senior lunches are two of those programs.
“Over the past few years, community members have been asking us to provide educational, cultural, enrichment activities and programming for all ages and these new offerings fit that need,” explained Parks and Rec director Amanda Gerhardt.
Virtual Travel Adventures are not new to the community, since they were offered in the past by the Cedar Spring Library and the Cedar Springs Education Foundation. These activities give you an experience through a multia media presentation that will make you feel like you have actually gone on the journey to the locales. The event is held at the Cedar Springs High School Auditorium with the doors opening at 6pm and the adventures taking off at 7pm. There is an intermission during the travel adventure that will include snacks and beverages for the traveling attendees. “These events will help fill your passport at a huge discount of the actual price,” noted Gerhardt.
The first VTA will be Monday, October 11, when they feature Cuba. “You will visit the city of Havannah and the rural countryside while seeing how the country to our south lives under dictatorship in communism,” noted Gerhardt.
Other travels this season will take us on the Lewis & Clark journey on November 8th; we will be getting away from the cold and heading to Barbados on March 14; and we will see how the state of Louisiana has brought so much music to our culture on April 11. Travel to all four destinations for the little price of $25, or just one locale for $8. Students can come with a paid adult for only $3.
Another new program available is for seniors and retirees. “We are offering a chance to visit with your neighbors, enjoy some great cuisine, and experience speakers, musicians and more on a monthly basis,” explained Gerhardt. Luncheons will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. These luncheons will rotate each month to one of our partner organziations. The October 21 lunch will be held at the Courtland Township hall; November 18 at Nelson Township/Sand Lake library; December 16 at Solon Center Wesleyan Church; and January 20 at the Algoma Township hall. The luncheons are limited to 40 people, but must have at least 10 pre-registered to host. Registrations are required by the Monday of the luncheon week and can be made by calling the Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation office at 696-7320. Tickets are $9 for an individual lunch or $15 per couple.
Virtual Travel Adventure tickets and luncheon reservations are available at the Cedar Springs Public Schools District Office from 8-4pm Monday-Friday. The Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation office is located in the annex of the building and is staffed Monday-Thursday 9am-3pm. Check out more information online at www.csaparksandrec.com or you can follow them on Facebook for up to date information. Feel free to call 696-7320 with questions.
