Friday, Dec. 13, 2024  |  View in browser

Good Morning, 

Check out this week's Parks & Recreation e-news featuring information on the Great Elf Hunt, letters to Santa, workshops, classes and more.

Winter Registration is Open

Registration for our Winter programs is open for residents and non-residents. 

Plan your winter by exploring the Evanston Parks & Rec Winter Program Guide.

Events This Week

Santa Accepting Letters Dec. 2 - 15

This just in from the North Pole: Santa will accept letters from the kids of Evanston from Dec. 2 - 15, 2024. Submit your letter to our special North Pole mailbox at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center. If you'd like to receive a letter back from Santa, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your with list.

Join the Great Elf Hunt Dec. 2 - 15

Elves are on the loose in Evanston! Watch them as they take over the town!

Evanston's annual Great Elf Hunt Dec. 2 - 15 by finding elves hiding at Evanston Parks & Rec facilities: Chandler-Newberger, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Fleetwood-Jourdain, Robert Crown, Levy, South End, Baker Park, Mason Park, Ackerman Park, and Clark Street Beach. 

Take a picture of yourself with each elf you find and send it to kgrundin@cityofevanston.org to be entered into a drawing.  Include your name and contact info with each picture submitted.

The Nutcracker on Ice: Dec. 20-22

The classic holiday story of The Nutcracker is performed on ice with skaters of all levels.

Date: Friday - Sunday, December 20-22
Hours: Dec. 20, 7 p.m.; Dec. 21, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 22, 2 p.m.
Location: Robert Crown Center
Get tickets

Solstice Bonfire: Dec. 20

Celebrate the shortest day of the year with a winter solstice bonfire! Join us at Lighthouse Beach and stay warm by the bonfire while we learn about the winter solstice and traditions that incorporate nature. S’mores and hot chocolate will be enjoyed. Children need to be accompanied by an enrolled adult.

Date: Friday, December 20
Hours: 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Lighthouse Beach
Cost: $15 R/$20 NR
Register

Upcoming Events

Kwanzaa: Dec. 26

City of Evanston presents A Legacy Kwanzaa Celebration 2024 a free event on Dec. 26 at Robert Crown Center. This year we honor the Legacies of Black Evanstonians past and present with:

• Tony Garrett’s Community Drum Circle
• West African Drumming & Dancing with NAJWA Dance Corps
• A Traditional Kwanzaa Ceremony with Dr Gilo Kwesi Logan and S.O.U.L. Creations
• Emcee Lucia L. Luckett-Kelly

Fun activities for the entire family include a Kwanzaa photo booth, face painting, arts and crafts, food, artisan vendors, and more.

Date: Thursday, December 26
Hours: 6 p.m.
Location: Robert Crown Community Center
Cost: Free

School Days Off & After School Programs

Slime-Tastic Winter Break Camp

It’s a slime takeover! In this camp, slime is the main event. We’ll explore different slime recipes as we create tons of gooey, sparkly, stretchy, messy goo. We’ll make a different slime during each day of camp. We’ll even throw in a little painting and sculpting on the side, too! Roll up your sleeves, and get ready for the Slime-Tastic time you’ve been waiting for! Register now.

Winter Break Arts Camp

We will be writing acting and then filming an adaptation of a beloved holiday tale using old fashioned animation techniques. Media Educator Alaric Rocha teaches at LA Film School. No class Jan1 and includes District 65 non attendance day on Jan 6. Register now.

Winter Wonder Camp

School’s out and it’s cold outside, so we’ll take the fun indoors. Enjoy snow art, dance, field trips, ice skating and gym games as we celebrate winter vacation. Dress for outdoor play as well; we may even make a snowman or two. Primary and elementary school-age groups are formed to promote individualized attention. Campers bring a nut-free lunch; an afternoon snack is provided. Register now.

Winter Break

Enjoy a winter break at Fleetwood-Jourdain Center. Two sessions offered: Dec. 23-27 and Dec. 30 to Jan. 3. No camp on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Register now.

School Day Off Gymnastics Camp

Students will train and perfect basic skills on bars, beam, floor, and
vault. This camp is appropriate for students in Beginning I, Beginning II,
Tumbling I, or with no prior-experience - campers will be grouped by age
and experience. Register now.

Classes, Workshops & Programs

Registration for our Winter programs opens Nov. 11! View all of our upcoming classes, workshops, school days off activities, and special events in our Winter Program Guide.

Ecology Winter Senses Series

Winter Nature Classes (Ages 1.5-5 yrs)

Join the Ecology Center this winter for two nature classes that meet at the Lighthouse Beach Fog House classrooms!

Forest School Play Group: The Forest School model makes every day of learning an adventure! Children will explore the natural world together through long periods of building, inventing, running, climbing, nature discovery, and imagination play. Parents must attend with children under 3.

Saplings & Oaks: Children and caregivers transform into saplings and oaks in this early learning nature class! Through stories, nature crafts, imaginative play, and science discovery, children develop a relationship to the natural world and the beauty of the winter season. Classes are primarily outdoors, weather permitting. Caregiver is required.

Register online or by calling the Ecology Center: (847) 448-8256.

Winter Art Workshops for Kids

We're offering a wealth of art workshops for kids in December at Chandler Newberger Center. Get more details on workshops and register at cityofevanston.org/register.

Basic Cartooning

Learn basic drawing and cartooning skills while creating your own characters and improving your own artistic abilities. Register now. 

Youth Dodgeball

Get ready for a five-week, high-energy dodgeball tournament, where teams of 2nd–5th graders are led by enthusiastic coaches skilled at accommodating all dodgeball abilities. We incorporate different forms of dodgeball to keep the experience fun and engaging while promoting agility, quick decision-making, leadership, and teamwork—all using soft dodgeballs for safety. Winning team will play a sixth week against the winner from Wilmette.

Each class session, four teams will participate in a one-hour session, with two games running simultaneously. For the first three weeks, teams will compete to determine playoff seeding. The final two weeks will feature playoffs and a championship, with GTK dodgeball trophies awarded to the winners. Register now.

Move and Groove Line Dance

Get your feet moving and your body grooving as you flow to the rhythms of Soul, Pop, Latin, and a ‘lil bit country. Line dancing is a fun way to exercise your brain, work on balance, improve your stamina and memory all with low impact to your joints. It’s also a great way to socialize, have fun, and make new friends. Each class is customized to the level of those attending. Each week we add to the previous week’s list of dances, emphasize proper step technique and how to combine them, in order to build your repertoire of line dancing skills. Register now.

Tots Soccer School

Players and parents will explore the world of soccer. Coaches will lead imaginative games designed to develop all players' fine motor skills while fostering the joy of having a ball at their feet. Guardian participation is required. Register now.

Fin Moves

A 50 and older, high intensity interval training , (HIIT) designed with movements in mind to improve your mobility, balance, strength, and overall health. All are welcome to join. Register now.

Holiday Hip Hop Class

Chicago Loves Dance is proud to offer a holiday hip-hop class. Students will learn a fun holiday themed dance in the session and perform it the last 10min of class on the last day for their parents. Register now.

Hatha Yoga

End your week and begin your weekend on Friday mornings with yoga! Learn relaxation and meditation techniques to center your body and calm your mind. Each session ends with Pilates techniques. Register now.

Toddler Classes at South End

The Ecology team at South End Community Center is offering three classes designed for toddlers. 

Toddler Critter Crew: Learn to take care of the Ecology Center’s animals and learn what each animal needs to live happy and healthy lives.

Toddler Science Club: Learn about nature and science with age-appropriate activities, “science experiments”, and crafts that will introduce us to the wonders of physics and chemistry!

Toddler Biz-E-Town: Learn how to be busy “workers” in E-town! They will put on uniforms, perform tasks, and go on an imaginative adventure into being part of a lively and sustainable neighborhood.

Register now.

Play Time & Parties

Ecology Birthday Parties

Book an Ecology Center birthday party at South End Community Center! Choose one of 8 themes for guests to meet live animals, perform science experiments, and enjoy other Instructor-led activities. For more information or to schedule a birthday party, please call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256 or complete the Ecology Birthday Party Request form online.

Let's Play: Drop-in Play at South End Center

South End Community Center offers Let's Play Drop In Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. We recently lowered prices to better support Evanston families! Cost is $10 per child for residents and $7 for each additional child. Cost is $13 for non-residents and $10 for each additional child.

Fleetwood Activities

Check out what Fleetwood Jourdain has to offer for Winter 2024. Learn more at www.cityofevanston.org/fleetwood-jourdain-center or call 847-448-8254.

Get Involved

Planning a special event in 2025?

Groups and organizations that wish to hold special events in the City of Evanston will need to submit a Special Event Permit Application by Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

All outdoor events planned on City property, such as a street or park, or those that significantly impact the City, are classified as special events.
Events are subject to final approval of the City's Special Events Committee and, in some cases, the City Council.

Be sure to secure your special event permit.  

DFEI Tip Sheet December 2024 Explore suggestions to help navigate the holidays. Learn more.

Share your skills and teach classes

Our Parks & Recreation team invites individuals from diverse backgrounds to showcase their incredible talents. If you're a budding artist, fitness guru, cooking maestro, or tech wizard - we want you to share your unique talents with our vibrant community.

We welcome all creative proposals and ideas that are not listed. Let's transform our community spaces into lively hubs of learning and fun. Your passion could be the spark that ignites new hobbies and friendships.

Submit your program proposal today and bring your unique talents and skills to our community.

Accessibility for all

The City of Evanston is committed to promoting a citywide culture of accessibility and inclusivity. To request an accommodation for a program, service, or activity, please call 847-866-2919 to make an ADA service request or complete a request form online. 

Facility Locations and Phone Numbers

Chandler-Newberger Community Center: 847-448-8252
Levy Senior Center: 847-448-8250
Robert Crown Community Center: 847-448-8258
Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center: 847-448-8254
Ecology Center: 847-448-8256
South End Community Center: 847-859-7697

Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend,

The City of Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Team