Youth Programs

*Select the underlined start date to register for the class online

STORYWALK

Location: Downtown Park
Co-Sponsored by: Christiansburg Library and Christiansburg Recreation Dept.
Additional Information: This is a nationally – known program that promotes reading
and exercise in the outdoors for children. A new book is put in the story boards each month.
Come exercise, read and enjoy the fun.

BALLET

Eligibility: Ages 4 - 7
Location: Christiansburg Recreation Center- Muliti-Purpose Room 1
Additional Information: Introduction to ballet. Participants will need to have ballet slippers. Parents are asked not to stay during class time. The last class will be Parents Day.  Minimum: 5   Maximum: 8

BEGINNING JUNIOR FIRST LEGO LEAGUE 

Eligibility: Ages 6-9                                                                                                                                                      Location: Christiansburg Recreation Center – Classroom I                                                                                       Additional Information: The Junior First Lego League captures children’s curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a theme-based concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction and imagination. Lego bricks are used to build a model that moves using simple machines. Teams will develop a “Show Me” poster to illustrate their journey.   Minimum: 4          Maximum: 6

ADVANCED JUNIOR FIRST LEGO LEAGUE 

Eligibility: Ages 6-9                                                                                                                                                      Location: Christiansburg Recreation Center – Classroom I                                                                                       Additional Information: The advanced class is for children who have taken the beginner class before. Participants will be able to combine Lego bricks with working motors and sensors to build a model themed on a real-world scientific concept. These activities will introduce children to robotics. Teams will develop teamwork, STEM and cross-curricular skills resulting in a final model and a “Show Me” poster to illustrate their journey for an event at the end of the session. The event will possibly be an optional Jr. Lego League Expo in the community.   Minimum: 4          Maximum: 6

BEGINNING HORSEMANSHIP

Eligibility: Ages 8 - 17
Location: 866 Silver Lake Road, Christiansburg
Additional Information: Have a great time learning how to ride a horse during this four-week program. Participants will learn all about the horse, the tack, how to mount/dismount, trotting, etc.  Maximum: 2

TEEN POLICE ACADEMY

Eligibility: Christiansburg High School Students currently in grades 9-12                                                                                 Date: June 10 – 14
Location: Recreation Center and Police Dept.
Co-Sponsored by: Christiansburg Police Dept. & Christiansburg Recreation Dept.
Additional Information: Each summer, new candidates will be selected to attend the week-long “Teen Police Academy.” To receive information and to be placed on the potential candidate list, please call Pam at the Rec. Dept. at (540) 382-2349 or email ppeyton@christiansburg.org. Participants are subject to background screening and approval.
Maximum: 9

TEEN FIRE ACADEMY

Eligibility: Christiansburg High School Students currently in grades 9-12                                                                            
Location: Christiansburg Fire Dept.        Held in Summer 2019, Date TBA
Co–Sponsored by: Christiansburg Fire Dept. & Christiansburg Recreation Dept.
Additional Information: Teen candidates will be selected to attend the Teen Fire Academy. To receive information and to be placed on the potential candidate list, please call Pam at the Rec. Dept. at (540) 382-2349 or email ppeyton@christiansburg.org.
Participants are subject to background screening and approval. Maximum: 15

MERIT BADGE PROGRAMS

The following activities are available for boys ages 10 – 17 interested in improving their health, learning new skills and expanding their work. Also, this is an introduction to Boy Scouting and starting a journey of earning badge requirements while having fun! Once a Boy Scout submits a “blue card” (provided in each class) to his troop leader, his troop will purchase and award the badge. **Non-Boy Scouts (boys and girls) are also welcome to sign up and learn new skills and topics through these programs as well as experience a part of the Boy Scouting program. 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 

Location: Recreation Center: Classroom 1                                                                                                                        Eligibility: Ages 10 1/2 and older                                                                                                                                       Additional Information: Learn to be prepared by learning the actions that can be helpful and needed before, during, and after an emergency. This is an Eagle-required merit badge for Boy Scouts. January 31 is an “early release day” for Montgomery County Schools.
Minimum: 4 Maximum: 15                                                                                                                         

YOUTH GYMNASTICS 

*For information regarding classes and inclement weather,
 please contact VA Techniques at (540)381-5151 or visit their website

 LEAPING LIZARDS GYMNASTICS 

Eligibility: Girls and Boys Ages 5-7
Location: Virginia Techniques Gymnastics
         1550 Roanoke Street, Suite C, Christiansburg

Additional Information: No Virginia Techniques membership fee required.
Children should wear comfortable clothing, bare feet, no jewelry, and long hair should be
pulled back. Class Description: Basic through intermediate gymnastics skills,
 coordination, agility, and balance are the main components of this class. Also
 expect increased self-esteem, confidence building and working through fears.
 An emphasis of developing strong and flexible bodies will be through
 repetitions of chin ups, rope climbs, splits, standing bridges, handstands
 and cartwheels. Students in this class will spend time perfecting their
 basic skills while learning safe progressions into more intermediate skills.
 All students will grow at their individual pace with encouragement and positive reinforcement.

LEAPING LIZARDS GYMNASTICS

Eligibility: Girls and Boys Ages 5-7
Location: Virginia Techniques Gymnastics
1550 Roanoke Street, Suite C, Christiansburg
Additional Information: No Virginia Techniques membership fee required. 
Children should wear comfortable clothing, bare feet, no jewelry, and long hair should be
pulled back. Class Description: Basic through intermediate gymnastics skills,
coordination, agility, and balance are the main components of this class. Also
expect increased self-esteem, confidence building and working through fears.
An emphasis of developing strong and flexible bodies will be through
repetitions of chin ups, rope climbs, splits, standing bridges, handstands
and cartwheels. Students in this class will spend time perfecting their
basic skills while learning safe progressions into more intermediate skills.
All students will grow at their individual pace with encouragement and positive reinforcement.

KARTWHEELING KOALAS GYMNASTICS

Eligibility: Girls 3rd - 5th grade
Location: Virginia Techniques Gymnastics
1550 Roanoke Street, Suite C, Christiansburg
Additional Information: No Virginia Techniques membership fee required.
Children should wear comfortable clothing, bare feet, no jewelry, and long hair
should be pulled back. Class Description: Basic through intermediate gymnastics
skills, coordination, agility, and balance are the main components of this class.
Also expect increased self-esteem, confidence building and working through
fears. An emphasis of developing strong and flexible bodies will be through
repetitions of chin ups, rope climbs, splits, standing bridges, handstandsand cartwheels.
 Students in this class will spend time perfecting their
basic skills while learning safe progressions into more intermediate skills.
All students will grow at their individual pace with encouragement and positive reinforcement.

TUMBLING AND TRAMPOLINE BEGINNER

Eligibility: Girls and Boys 1^st grade and up
Location: Virginia Techniques Gymnastics
1550 Roanoke Street, Suite C, Christiansburg
Additional Information: No Virginia Techniques membership fee required.
Children should wear comfortable clothing, bare feet, no jewelry, and long hair
should be pulled back. Class Description: This class is designed to help any
 child learn how to flip! From boys to girls, cheerleaders to dancers, or
 just anyone who likes to go upside down, tumbling specific classes
 use aids such as skill cushions, incline mats, back handspring trainers,
 spring floors, trampolines, and foam pits. Children will focus on core
 body strength, coordination, flexibility, and body awareness to safely
 accelerate learning time. Experienced spotters are available to help
 athletes maintain, develop, and improve handspring and aerial skills.