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We have some exciting news to share with you regarding the 2024 camp season. Based on the feedback we received from our survey last March, we have decided to shift the registration process online so you do not have to stand in line for hours. Before registration begins, we highly recommend reading the camp page and carefully following the registration directions. You will also need to set up or log into your CivicRec account. It is crucial to note that camp registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis this year, and the parents will be solely responsible for registration. Therefore, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the flow and checkout process of CivicRec.
CivicRec Log in
Camp Page
Registration Instructions & FAQs
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at wellness@westlafayette.in.gov. We're always here to help!
Junior Camp Counselor Program
The Junior Counselor Program is designed for teenagers ages 13 to 15, who are interested in developing their leadership skills. The program is a part of the West Lafayette Parks & Recreation Summer Camp, and it offers participants the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a day camp environment. Along with this, participants can also take part in camp activities, as well as other activities that are not available to campers. By participating in this program, teenagers can become familiar with the job application and interview process, which can give them an advantage in future job opportunities.
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Summer Camp Staff Needed
Looking for a summer job that is both fun and rewarding? Look no further than the John R. Dennis Wellness Center! We are currently hiring 20 to 25 summer camp staff for the 2024 season. If you enjoy working with children and are able to organize games, crafts, lessons, and more, then we want you on our team.
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Contact Monica Wontor, HR Manager with any questions or technical issues at mwontor@westlafayette.in.gov
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Class Spotlight:
Yoga Balance
Location: Lilly Nature Center
If you're seeking more balance in your life, join the Yoga Balance Team at the Lilly Nature Center this winter. We have several instructors, all with a focus on helping your body heal and your brain release with movement.
Contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator, with any questions.
Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab.
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 Program Spotlight:
Dare to Bare
Location: Riverside Skating Center
Dare to Bare will take place on Friday, February 2 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and the weather is looking unusually warm!
Participants must wear swim attire for admission. Pizza and hot chocolate will be served inside. The photo above shows off this year's collectable button and theme.
Regular admission begins at 8:30 p.m.
Contact Amanda Jeffries, Recreational Coordinator, with any questions.
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AmeriCorps
Park Conservation Crew Member
The Lilly Nature Center counselor position is being managed by our AmeriCorps team. This Park Conservation Crew Nature Camp Counselor service term is a minimum of 450 hours between May 13th, 2024 – August 6, 2024. The schedule will be Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m with some weekends and evenings required. Benefits: Living Allowance up to $6,084.66. Upon successful completion of term (450 hours minimum), you will be eligible for an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award up to $1,824.07 (Amount dependent upon length of term and completion of term). |
Aquatics Update
We collaborate with the American Red Cross to provide comprehensive lifeguard training. Our course equips participants with the necessary knowledge and abilities to prevent, identify, and respond to aquatic emergencies and provide care. It covers water rescue techniques, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and first aid skills.We are seeking to hire 20 plus lifeguards to work at both the Municipal Pool and the Dennis Wellness Center. If you're interested in Americn Red Cross training, sign up in your CivicRec account today. To apply to be a lifeguard, log into your MUNIS account.
We are partnering with Boy Scouts of America, Sagamore Council to offer camp swim tests for $5. You can log into your CivicRec account and sign up for a slot. Contact Julie Martin, Aquatics Coordinator, regarding any questions. |
Board Member Update
Laurence Wang joined the the West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Board on Monday, January 21. Laurence is also a West Lafayette School Corporation Board member and will represent the school board in 2024 at Park Board meetings. Laurence's vision is to foster better communication and collaboration between the two boards, aiming to create a more inclusive environment for all community members. He is committed to serving all residents, promoting school-community connections, prioritizing all students' well-being, and celebrating our community's cultural diversity. Laurence is a proud father of two high school students, and he and his family enjoy visiting Happy Hollow Park daily.
We extend a warm welcome to Laurence and are thrilled to have him join the Parks and Recreation Board. We are confident that his expertise and experience will positively impact our parks and community.
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Meet Haley, Assistant Youth Development Coordinator
Meet Haley Grizzle, our Assistant Youth Development Coordinator. Haley came on board in November to manage the Clubhouse, revamp preschool programs, and create more programs for homeschooled families. She's spent years managing restaurants and coffee shops, but is now thrilled to be working with kids and families full-time. which is her passion. We are truly grateful to have someone as kind, reliable, and dedicated as Haley on our team!
Welcome to the team, Haley!
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Youth Development Coordinator
Are you looking for a fulfilling career? Look no further! West Lafayette Parks and Recreation's youth programs are expanding rapidly, and we need your help to meet our community's childcare needs. We are currently seeking a full-time Youth Development Coordinator to make a positive impact in the lives of young people. As a City employee, you will receive benefits, including healthcare, paid vacation, and access to the John R. Dennis Wellness Center, and more.
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 Below are a few program highlights, but all our programs can be viewed in detail in our Winter-Spring Program Guide or in CivicRec. In order to prevent the newsletter from being too lengthy, we do not feature all of our programs in our newsletter.
Art Workshops with Jeannette
Location: Margerum City Hall
Miss Jeannette has a full schedule this fall!
- Advanced Painting & Drawing age 12 plus
- Draw & Paint with a Vision ages 5-14
- Choose Your Medium: Adults ages 16+
- Drawing, Painting & Mixed Media ages 7-12
- Creative Painting & Drawing ages 5-10
- Creative Painting & Drawing II ages 5-10
- Sculpey to Sculpture
- Spring Break Art Camp ages 7-14
Registration is open now for all the winter and spring classes. Contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator, with any questions.
Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab.
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Celery Bog Weekly Wild Bird Count
Location: Lilly Nature Center
Are you interested in citizen science? Or want to learn a new outdoor hobby? Come to Lilly Nature Center and assist Kyle Gebhart, Parks Naturalist, in counting the birds of Celery Bog Nature Area! Learn about the hobby of birding, how it can be a great activity for people looking to spend more time outdoors, and how it can be used to assist ornithologists in their research!
Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab.
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Coffee Talk
Location: Dennis Wellness Center
Join us for our monthly series of Coffee Talks at the Dennis Wellness Center. These events are open to everyone, regardless of membership status and are free to attend. Although most sessions are focused on active older adults in our community, people of any age are welcome and encouraged to attend and learn.
Here's the schedule for the upcoming talks:
- February 14: Heart Smart
- March 20: Let's Talk Nutrition
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at wellness@westlafayette.in.gov. We do ask that you register for each section in CivicRec.
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Dance Classes
Location: Margurum City Hall
Looking for something fun and active to do this winter? We've got you covered with our awesome selection of dance classes! Get ready to shake up your workouts with us!
- Ballroom & Latin
- Bollywood
- Clogging
- The Waves: Boilermaker Dance
Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab.
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Music Lessons
Location: Margerum City Hall
This winter, private music lessons for acoustic, bass, and lead guitar, ukulele, and songwriting are being offered to individuals of all ages. The esteemed instructor, Douglas Gery, specializes in providing guidance and instruction to musicians of all abilities, whether you're a beginner or an advanced musician. You can take part in private or group music lessons in a safe and supportive environment to enhance your skills and explore your passion for music. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to develop your musical talent! Sign up today as space is limited.
Contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator, with any questions.
Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab.
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Studio b Partnership
Location: Margerum City Hall
We are delighted to share that our collaboration with Studio b will continue in 2024 with Hip Hop classes.
- 6:30 - 7:10 p.m.- Hip Hop Kids (ages 5-7)
- 7:15 - 8:00 p.m. - Hip Hop I (ages 7+)
All class registration will be handled by Studio b going forward. Visit them online at studioblafayette.com for all the details and to register.
Contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator, with any questions.
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Pete's Pals
Location: Dennis Wellness Center
We are excited for the return of Pete's Pals program this winter. This program is specifically designed to support individuals with disabilities in developing their aquatic and motor skills in a safe and enjoyable setting. By participating in the program, individuals can become more proficient movers and enhance their physical activity and life skills.
Contact Amanda Jeffries, Recreation Coordinator, with any questions or for more information about scholarships.
Click here to register today!
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Whoo Whoo Whoo is that Owl?
Location: Lilly Nature Center
Learn about the owls that frequent Celery Bog and West Lafayette and their ecology. We will go out onto the Celery Bog trails in search of owls and, afterward, work together to dissect your very own owl pellet! *REGISTRATION REQUIRED*
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Lilly Nature Center programming, please do not hesitate to contact Kyle Gebhart, who will be happy to help you.
Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab.
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- February 2: Dare to Bare at 7 p.m. at Riverside Skating Center
- February 14: Dennis Wellness Center Community Day
- February 14: Coffee Talk, Heart Smart
- February 17: Brick Builders Crash Landing
- March 16: Brick Builders Boat Races
- March 20: Coffee Talk, Let's Talk Nutrition
- March 29: City Offices closed in observance of Good Friday
- March 30: Spring Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- May 18: Mind BOGgling Event at the Lilly Nature Center
- May 27: City Office and Wellness Center closed in observance of Memorial Day
We will keep you updated about any new information regarding these dates through our website, social media pages, and newsletters.
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Communication Updates
February is a fantastic month because it's when winter is coming to an end, and we can look forward to welcoming spring! It's a month full of celebrations, like Black History Month, honoring our past presidents, exchanging heartfelt Valentine's Day cards, making healthier choices for our hearts, and even getting a head start planning our gardens! Yes, in the world of Parks and Recreation, we're already planning our planting season with great enthusiasm. If you find yard care and gardening intimidating, don't worry - here are some tips to help!
The Master Gardener Association of Tippecanoe County (MGATC) is a group of gardening enthusiasts that started in 1988. To join, you need to complete the Purdue Master Gardener Program training and volunteer in our gardens or community projects. They hold monthly meetings with guest speakers and public workshops throughout the year to provide information and knowledge on home horticulture to people in our community. If you're new to gardening, this is a great place to start! Click here to learn more!
Both the West Lafayette Library and Tippecanoe County Public Library have extensive book collections about gardening and yard care. We have collaborated with both organizations numerous times for various projects, and they are incredibly helpful and simplify the process of accessing books. To learn more, click on the links above.
Finally, here's some great advice from Purdue University for first-time gardeners. They offer some really helpful information.
It may seem like it's too soon to start planning your gardens, but it's actually the perfect time! I'm currently reading reviews and will be making my seed selection soon. In my household, we love growing tomatoes and basil! What about you? If space is a concern, remember that there are community garden spaces available for use!
We still have a few weeks of winter left and February is known to be the heaviest month for snow. So please be careful while you're out and about. If you're feeling a bit stir-crazy from being cooped up inside, don't worry! The John R. Dennis Wellness Center is hosting several Community Days, including one on February 14th. This is our way of showing some love to the community for all their support.
As always, feel free to reach out with any story ideas, questions, or photos to share. I love hearing from our community.
Sincerely,
Heather Witt
Marketing and Communications Director
WL Parks and Recreation
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Parks and Recreation
222 N Chauncey Ave
West Lafayette, IN 47906
website / email us
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