Special Interest Programs

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

NOVICE DOG OBEDIENCE

Eligibility: Dogs 5 ½ months and older
Location: 415 Cambria St. C’burg (building to the left of VA Varsity Storage)
Additional Information: Delete unwanted behaviors – basic dog obedience and instruction on how to train your dog. All Dogs must be de-wormed. Class on the first night will meet at 7 p.m. for lecture. No dogs the first week, just the owners.
Minimum: 6      Maximum: 12

INTERMEDIATE DOG OBEDIENCE

Eligibility: Dogs 6 months and older
Location: 415 Cambria St. (building to the left of VA Varsity Storage)
Additional Information: Pre-requisite: Dogs must have completed a novice dog obedience class. Improve the manners of your dog. Class will concentrate on walking with a leash, greeting people and other dogs nicely, coming when called and sit/down and stay.
Minimum: 6          Maximum: 12

PUPPY KINDERGARTEN

Eligibility: Puppies 10-17 weeks
Location: 415 Cambria St. (building to the left of VA Varsity Storage)
Additional Information: This class is for puppies 10-17 weeks of age. The class is designed to get the puppy off to the right start. The puppy will learn how to interact with people by sitting to greet, how to bite nicely, etc. The puppy will play with other puppies providing socialization with other puppies. The class lessons cover how to teach sit, down, stand, walk osn leash and come. Owners will learn how to teach their puppy in a positive and proactive manner. They will learn how to deal with the typical puppy problems: chewing, barking, mouthing, jumping up, etc. Each week are discussion topics related to raising your puppy. The topics include housebreaking, nutrition grooming, and health care. This is a 6 week course. The puppy comes to all classes. All family or house members are encouraged to come to class.
Minimum: 6         Maximum: 12

CONFORMATION SHOW DOG HANDLING

Eligibility: Dogs 16 weeks old and up
Location: 415 Cambria St. (building to the left of VA Varsity Storage)
Additional Information: If you are interested in finding out how the show dogs you see on TV learn to show, this is the class for you. This is a class for a dog and handler that introduces the dog handler team to find out how to train a dog for the conformation ring. The class will teach you what you need to know in order to correctly handle your dog in conformation ring.The handler will need to have a show lead for their dog. Those who do not have a show lead can borrow a lead from the instructor.
Minimum: 6          Maximum: 14

LUNCH BUNCH

Additional Information: Join us for our monthly lunch outings to various restaurants in the area. Participants are responsible for paying for their own lunch and any additional expenses.
Minimum: 5           Maximum: 8

SAFE KIDS NRV COALITION-CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECKS

Co-Sponsored By: Carilion, Christiansburg Recreation Dept. and Christiansburg Fire Dept.
Location: Christiansburg Fire Dept. Bay
Additional Information: Come by the Fire Dept. to make sure you have your car seat installed properly. Keep your kids safe!!

  
HIKES

Eligibility: Ages 18 and over
Additional Information: Join us for some exercise in the beautiful outdoors! We will stop for lunch after the hike. Participants are responsible for paying for their lunch.
Minimum: 4        Maximum: 8

INSTANT POT COOKING

Location: Christiansburg Recreation Center – Kitchen
Additional Information: Do you have an Instant Pot or other brand of electronic pressure cooker and are nervous to use it? Or are you thinking about getting one and want to learn more? This class will cover the basics of how to use the Instant Pot, as well as providing ideas of what it can be used for. Several recipes will be demonstrated that you can taste-test. Feel free to bring your own Instant Pot with you for hands-on instruction.
Minimum: 4           Maximum: 8

INTRO TO STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING

Eligibility: Ages 12 and up
Location: Claytor Lake State Park Marina
Additional Information: Join us on Claytor Lake for our Intro to Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) class. This one-hour class will provide instruction on the basics of paddle stroke, balancing and positioning on the board, turning and board movement. This class will consist of both dry land and on water instruction. Once you have mastered the basic skills, your instructor will take the group on a short paddle board tour on Claytor Lake. This class is the perfect way to get started paddling the right way and experience the fastest growing watersport. The class will be fun and informative while you improve your balance skills and workout your core muscles. The class fee includes instruction and all rental equipment needed for the class. The class is taught by Mountain 2 Island Paddle Board Company. Participants will need to pay an additional fee of $4 a vehicle for park admission when they get to the park. Mountain 2 Island Paddle Boarding Company is located in the lower level of the marina building.
Minimum: 4          Maximum: 12

BEGINNING KAYAKING 

Eligibility: Ages 12 and up
Location: Claytor Lake State Park Marina
Additional Information: This class provides the basic skills and safety techniques needed to paddle a kayak on flat water. The class will cover launching techniques, paddling terminology, basic paddle strokes, kayaking safety and trip planning. This is a fun and informative kayaking class followed by a short kayaking tour along the shores of Claytor Lake. All equipment is provided: single person kayak, paddle and personal floatation device. The class is taught by Mountain 2 Island Paddle Board Company. Participants will need to pay an additional fee of $4 a vehicle for park admission when they get to the park. Mountain 2 Island Paddle Boarding Company is located in the lower level of the marina building.
Minimum: 2          Maximum: 8

HUNTER SAFETY COURSE

Register online at: www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/education/new/ Location: Recreation Center – Multi-Purpose Room 1
Additional Information: Virginia has implemented a new, shorter hunter education course. Instead of 10 hours or more, the new course will be 6-8 hours. Students will be required to complete several hours of self-study prior to the class. Some material on the final test will be covered in the self-study material, but not during actual class time. Students must complete the self-study to prepare themselves for the final test. Study manuals will be available for pick-up at the Recreation Dept. Participants must be pre- registered, NO walk-in registrations at the class.
Maximum: 50

MRS. HANES MORAVIAN COOKIE TOUR

Additional Information: We will begin our on-site tour with the story behind Mrs. Hanes Moravian cookies, “Grandma’s Kitchen”and we will watch the bakers as they roll out the dough and cut the cookies. There will be plenty of cookies to purchase to bring home. Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Minimum: 6           Maximum: 9

WOHLFHART HAUS: ONE NATION

Additional Information: WHDT is proud to thank and pay tribute to our fellow American men and women serving, protecting, and defending the USA here and around the world! These heroes have sacrificed their time, talents, and lives so that we may enjoy and celebrate freedom! Our production also features America’s gospel favorites and hymns.
Minimum: 6          Maximum: 12

CHOLESTEROL SCREENING

Additional Information: Call Carilion to register at (800) 422-8482. A 12-hour fast is required! A lipid profile is a quick screening and includes total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. The results from this test can help determine your risk of coronary heart disease. Must Pre-Register.

VIRGINIA FIREARMS SAFETY TRAINING (CONCEAL CARRY PERMIT COURSE)

Eligibility: Ages 18 and over
Location: Christiansburg Recreation Center- Classroom 2
Additional Information: This class offered by Southwest Virginia Firearms Instruction is a classroom-based Firearms Safety Course designed to meet the requirements set forth in SP-248 Application for a Concealed Carry Permit. Upon completing the course, the attendee will receive a certificate of completion and can then go apply for a permit at the courthouse. This class has been approved by the Honorable Robert M. D. Turk, Presiding Judge, Chief Judge for the training requirement portion of the application. The instructor is both Virginia Division of Criminal Justice Certified General Instructor, as well as a Certified Firearms Instructor. The instructor is a current law enforcement officer. Must show valid EMS Identification upon registration to receive EMS discount.
Minimum: 10        Maximum: 30

PATRIOT DAY CELEBRATION

Location: Montgomery County Government Center
Additional Information: Observe the country’s National Day of Service and Remembrance with a celebration honoring our senior veterans and their families with a Veterans Pinning Ceremony. The flag is a living symbol of the greatness of America. Learn the proper way to display and honor the flag and how to properly dispose of a flag. If you have old flags that you would like to dispose of, please bring them to this event. View the 9/11 Memorial Sculpture made from pieces of the World Trade Center steel, honoring the lives of those lost on 9/11. This program is co-sponsored with Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford and Montgomery County Parks & Recreation.
Minimum: 5        Maximum: 8

WOHLFHART HAUS: COUNTRY ROADS

Additional Information: All “Country Roads” lead to Wohlfhart Haus Dinner Theatre for this tribute to country music
and its stars of the past and present. This original revue features our talented cast of singers as well as our incredible live band and will remind you why “you were country, when country wasn’t cool.” Grab your hat, polish your boots, and head to Wohlfhart Haus for some Southern hospitality & moments to remember!
Minimum: 6           Maximum: 12

WILDERNESS AND REMOTE FIRST AID

Eligibility: Ages 14 and over
Location: Recreation Center – Classroom 2
Additional Information: The goal of this class is to provide individuals a foundation of first aid principles and skills to be able to respond to emergencies and give care in areas that do not have immediate emergency medical services (EMS) response. This includes wilderness and remote environments, including urban disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Students learn the importance of establishing control of your scene, primary assessments and ways to evaluate evacuation options. This class will help prepare trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals working in remote locations for the unexpected. Class includes CPR and AED Training.
 Minimum: 6               Maximum: 10

HANGING ROCK RAPTOR OBSERVATORY/HIKE

Additional Information: The Hanging Rock Observatory has been a monitoring point for hawk, eagle, falcon and osprey migration along the birds’ eastern route. Join us as we travel to Monroe County, West Virginia for a fun filled day of bird watching. There is a 20-40 minute walk up the mountain to the observatory. Participants should bring binoculars, sunglasses, hat, comfy walking shoes, jacket and pack a lunch/drink to be enjoyed during the day at the observatory.
Minimum: 5           Maximum: 16