Johnson County Park and Recreation District Program Highlights - November 9, 2022

Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our community, Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers year-round program, activities, and special events for all ages!

For more information or to register online for the programs listed here, visit JCPRD.com/Register and complete a search for any of the activity numbers listed below. To register by phone, call 913-831-3359. For all in-person programs, physical distancing and COVID-19 safe practices will be encouraged.

A reminder that while JCPRD’s 50 Plus programs are primarily for people who are age 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the 50 Plus Department at 913-826-2975 for space availability.

I’ve attached photos that go with: Petite Picassos, The Retro Housewife’s Guide to Fashion, and Little Critter’s Day Out.

Here's a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of Nov. 27-Dec. 3

Nov. 28 - Art: Homeschool Making & Engineering - Candy Catapults (Ages 8-12)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 10 a.m. to Noon, 3 sessions, $60 per person, $66 nonresidents

NEW! Make your own candy catapult during this special making and engineering series. Students will explore physics, fabrication, and iterative design skills all while working to launch their candy the farthest. All supplies, and candy included. Activity number 22998.

Nov. 28 & 30 - Yoga: Yoga (Ages 14 & Older)

Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista Dr., Shawnee, Mondays or Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., 3 sessions, $24 per person, $26 nonresidents 

LOW INTENSITY: Improve circulation, regulate your metabolism, and increase flexibility and coordination with this Yoga class. You will lengthen your muscles while increasing both muscle and bone density. Yoga participants of all levels are welcome. Join us for this class and find out all the benefits of yoga in your life. Monday class beginning Nov. 28, activity number 22405. Wednesday session beginning Nov. 30, activity number 22406. For additional information, call 913-826-2950.

Nov. 28 - Youth Group Swim Lessons (Ages 6 months to Adult)

Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, 17251 W. 87th St., Lenexa, Mondays and Wednesdays, 15 classes in six levels, beginning times, and class durations vary, 6 sessions, $48.75 per child, $54 nonresidents

Lesson levels include: Preschool A, Preschool B, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. Most levels are assigned based on skill level rather than age. Find descriptions of swim levels here, or use our Swim Level Assessment Form here. Search and register for Group Swim Lessons here.

Nov. 29 - Reading: Wanderlust Book Club - “Bad Karma” (Ages 50 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 2 to 3 p.m., $5 per person, $6 nonresidents

Intertwine your love of travel and a good book with a travel-themed book club. Each month, enjoy the selected book from the list and conclude the month at the clubhouse with a group discussion on how it relates to your travel and how it may inspire your Wanderlust. This month’s book is “Bad Karma” by Paul Wilson. In the summer of 1978, twenty-one-year-old Paul Wilson jumps at the chance to join two local icons on a dream surf trip to mainland Mexico, unaware their ultimate destination lies in the heart of drug cartel country. Having no earthly idea of where he’ll get the money to pay his share, and determined to prove his mettle, he does the only thing he can think of: He robs a supermarket. And, if karma didn’t already have enough reason to doom the trip, he soon learns one of his companions is a convicted killer on the run, and the other an unscrupulous cad. Mishap and misfortune rule the days, and mere survival takes precedence over surfing. Activity number 23084. To see upcoming Wanderlust Book Club sessions this season, click here.

Nov. 29- Cards: Bridge Workshops - Weak Two Bids (Ages 50 & Older)

Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, 4 to 5:30 p.m., $10 per person, $11 nonresidents

Become an in-demand partner with these bridge workshops. Fun and easy classes help you master a new subject each week. Purchase each workshop individually or take them all! Workshops include hands on instruction and handouts to take home. Activity number 23256. To see other upcoming Bridge Workshops, click here.

Nov. 29, Dec. 1 - Gentle Yoga (Ages 50 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Tuesdays or Thursdays, times vary - see below, 3 sessions, $24 per person, $26 nonresidents

Gentle Yoga is performed at a slower pace, with less intense positions, and includes extended time for meditation, yogic breath work, and relaxation. Tuesday session beginning Nov. 29, 8:30 to 9:20 a.m., activity number 23111. Thursday session beginning Dec. 1, 9 to 9:50 a.m., activity number 23112.

Nov. 29 - Art: Art & Identity (Ages 16 & Older)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 6 to 8 p.m., FREE

This special lecture series at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center will be presented by Emily Alley, assistant professor of strategic communication at Avila University. This lecture series explores identity in media, ranging from paleolithic cave art to video games. Each lecture is premised in the philosophy of Structuralism, the idea of culture as modern mythology, which we both influence and adopt. Attend one lecture or all three; the lectures all relate to the overall theme of Art Identity and can be registered for individually. The Nov. 29 lecture is called Identity Activism. This lecture explores the Stonewall Riots and rainbow pride flag as a case study in strategic communication. Activity number 23537.

Nov. 29 - Art: Petite Picassos (Ages 3-7 with an Adult)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 10 to 10:45 a.m., $10 per child

Let’s paint like Picasso! During this pint-sized art class, we’ll learn about painting with watercolors, tempera, chalk and more. Students will need an adult to attend class with them. Activity number 22908.

Nov. 30 - Art: Homeschool Winter Art Adventures (Ages 6-17)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to Noon, 3 sessions, $60 per person, $66 nonresidents

Have fun while exploring different art media and techniques all with a Wintery theme during this mini homeschool art class. Activity number 23000.

Nov. 30 - Museum: Freedom to Discriminate - Virtual Program (All Ages)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 6 to 7 p.m., FREE

Join Gene Slater, author of “Freedom to Discriminate: How the Real Estate Industry Segregated America” as he reveals how the real estate industry worked to create segregated communities in the 20th century. A companion program for Johnson County Museum’s special exhibit, REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, Segregation exhibit. Activity number 24066. Register by 4 pm on 11/30 to receive the Zoom link for the program.

Dec. 1 - Little Critter’s Day Out: Happy Hibernation (Ages 3-5)

Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, 9 a.m. to Noon, $19 per person, $21 nonresidents

Your Little Critter will enjoy three hours of fun and education once as you enjoy some personal time! Activities will vary but we will have an adventure, eat a snack, make a craft, play games, and see an animal visitor each day. Dress for the weather. Children must be potty trained. For more information call 913-826-2800. Advanced registration required. Sign up for just the Thursdays you want or for all of them! Activity number 23470. To see all upcoming Little Critter’s Day Out sessions for the current season, click here.

Dec. 1 - Museum: The Retro Housewife’s Guide to Fashion (Ages 16 & Older)

Johnson County Museum at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 6 to 7 p.m., $6 per person, museum members $4.80

The Retro Housewife’s Guide series takes you inside the Johnson County Museum’s 1950s All-Electric House like you’ve never seen it before. Just in time for the holidays, your hostess Miss Yvonne will teach you all the things you need to know to start your retro-inspired look - from head to stockinged toe. After the program check out the All-Electric House decked out in its holiday best. Activity number 23992. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Dec. 2 deadline - play begins Jan. 7 - Soccer: New Century Fieldhouse Pee Wee Winter 2 League (Ages 3-6)

New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway, near Gardner, Saturdays, 8 a.m. to Noon, 6 sessions, $65 per person (includes game day shirt)

The indoor pee wee league is designed for kids in preschool and kindergarten. Teams meet on six Saturday mornings to practice for 20-minutes followed by a 30-minute game. Format is 4 v 4 with no goalie. Parent volunteers are the coaches and will serve as the official during the game. Parents who are chosen to coach must pass a background check and complete a volunteer form and will have their child's fee waived. Activity number 24126. For questions, call 913-826-2850.

Dec. 3 - “A Raisin in the Sun” and the Legacy of Redlining (Ages 21 & Older)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 2 to 5 p.m., $25 per person

Join the Johnson County Museum and Fine and Performing Arts Department for a one-of-a-kind experience that explores the history and legacy of redlining in our region. The program begins with a scene study from “A Raisin in the Sun,” followed by a tour of the museum’s newest exhibit and exploration of the systemic roots of housing inequality and segregation. The experience then culminates in a mixed-media art project where participants can create visual art that reflects their experience with this complex history. Registration includes all art supplies and a complimentary adult beverage. Activity number 23719. Copies of the book available for purchase at the museum store.