Charlotte Recreation Department sponsors lots of spring fun

Kids snowshoe at the park!
Join us Sunday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. at the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge for a winter walk through the snow! Bill Fraser-Harris from the recreation commission leads a snowshoe trek for all ages, looking for signs of wildlife in winter. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow children’s snowshoes on site. Trail maps will be provided, with a beginner loop to the beaver lodge for younger ones. Co-sponsored by the Charlotte Park Oversight Committee, the Charlotte Library and the Charlotte Recreation Commission.

Villari’s martial arts
Most children and teens will receive some benefit from Villari’s martial arts after training just a few short months. But the real benefit comes from long-term training. There is something special that happens to a child who grows up in a Villari’s martial arts school. They are simply more confident, respectful, focused, healthy, hardworking and optimistic.
Wednesdays
Session 1: March 2 – April 4
Session 2: April 13 – May 25
Time: 2-2:50 p.m.
Cost per session: $100

Youth lacrosse
Players in 3rd through 8th grades will participate in the U.S. Lacrosse league and will need a U.S. Lacrosse membership. Please visit our website for more information. The registration form must be completed and submitted with payment to the Charlotte Town Hall by March 7.

Shelburne Little League Baseball/Softball
Shelburne Little League is focused on the successful development of our players as they continue to progress and grow within the league. Practice times will be determined by your coach, with games determined by the league scheduler.
Baseball/Softball registration closes March 14. For more information or to register, please go to Shelburne Little League website.

Mini lacrosse
Mini lacrosse practices will be offered to kindergarten through 2nd graders on Saturday mornings at Charlotte Central School. Each participant will get a chance to learn more about the game while having fun.
Saturdays, April 30 – June 4. Time: 9 a.m. Cost: $35

Spring driver’s education
The Charlotte Recreation Department will be offering a driver’s education program this spring by the 802 Driving School. The seven-week driver’s education program will be taught by Joe Barch, who has over 15 years of experience teaching in the public schools.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Feb. 28 – April 13. Time: 6:30-8 p.m. Location: Charlotte Central School. Registration Fee: $700

After-school tennis lessons
The program is open to 1st through 5th graders; age groups will be split into the two time slots listed below. You may sign your child up for both sessions. Please note: Depending on roster sizes, those in 4th and 5th grade may be assigned to either group.
Mondays and Wednesdays
Session 1: April 25 – May 11
Session 2: May 16 – June 6 (no lessons May 30)
Grades 1-3: Mondays 3:30- 4:30 p.m./Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Grades 3-5: Mondays 4:30- 5:30 p.m./Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays
Session 1: April 26 – May 12
Session 2: May 17 – June 2
Grades 1-3: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Grades 3-5: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Cost per session: $75 (six lessons)

Safe Sitter babysitters course
Safe Sitter prepares teens to be safe when they’re home alone, watching siblings or babysitting. The course offers four main content areas: safety skills, child care skills, first aid and rescue skills, life and business skills. Lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Teens will practice choking rescue and diapering. Register with the town offering.
Grades: 6–8. Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Williston: Thursday, April 21. Charlotte: Saturday, May 21. Fee: $60.

After-school spring soccer
It’s time to lace up those cleats and enjoy a fun afternoon of outdoor soccer. This program will take place after school at Charlotte Central School.
Start date: Week of April 25. Time: 3-4 p.m. Cost: $30.

Boater safety course
Boating safety education is required for any motorboat operator, 12 years of age or older, born after Jan. 1, 1974. The Boat Vermont, 8-hour classroom course will enable you to get the certification that you need. Participants must be present at all classes to be eligible for certification. Ages: 12 and up.
Dates: May 2, 4, 9 and 11. Time: 6-8 p.m.. Where: WCS Community Room. Fee: $30.

After-school junior golf program
Cedar Knoll Golf Course Pro Mike Slayton has a non-technical teaching philosophy, but stresses the fundamentals of grip, stance, posture, balance and tempo. Although understanding that variations in swing techniques can all work, golf ball flight comes down to 5 basic laws. These laws include club head path, angle of attack, centeredness of contact, club face angle and speed. Grades: 1-8.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 1: April 26 – May 5
Session 2: May 10 – May 19
Session 3: May 24 – June 2

Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 p.m. and Fridays 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Session 1: April 27 – May 6
Session 2: May 11 – May 20
Session 3: May 25 – June 3
Where: Cedar Knoll Golf Course. Cost: $149

Tim Serrell tennis clinic
Tim Serrell was a summer resident of Charlotte who loved to play tennis. When he died, he left money in a trust fund to provide free tennis lessons to the children of Charlotte. The program began in 1989 and has become a Charlotte summer tradition. Your child will be assigned a time once registration for the clinic is complete.
Grades: 1-8
Date: June 13-16.Time: 8:30–-9:30 a.m. and 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Location: Charlotte Beach. Cost: Free (please consider making a donation.)

Champlain Valley track and field
Charlotte is proud to be a part of this three-town track and field program that includes Charlotte, Hinesburg and Williston. Children learn the basics of running, jumping, throwing and relays with this program. There will be opportunities to compete in various events with other local track and field programs, along with a state meet that will be in person or virtual. This program is for children ages 7-14 as of Dec. 21, 2022.
Mondays and Wednesdays, June 15 – July 20
Ages: 7-14. Time: 6:15-7:45 p.m.. Location: CVU. Cost: $50.

Golf camp
Cedar Knoll Golf Course Pro Mike Slayton has a non-technical teaching philosophy but stresses the fundamentals of grip, stance, posture, balance and tempo. Although understanding that variations in swing techniques can all work, golf ball flight comes down to five basic laws. These laws include club head path, angle of attack, centeredness of contact, club face angle and speed. The golf swing is a series of movements that must be executed in the proper sequence for optimal results.
Camp Days: Tuesday–Friday
Week 1: June 21-24
Week 2: July 19-22
Week 3: Aug. 16-19
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Ages: 6–13. Cost: $300.

International soccer camp
The international soccer camp will be held the week of July 18 at Charlotte Central School. The camp staff is selected and trained in the United Kingdom exclusively to work in these camps. They have a genuine interest in helping each player’s development and providing memorable positive experiences.
Tiny Tykes, ages 3–5, 8-9 a.m. Residents: $90
Half-day program, ages 6–14, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Residents: $170.
Full-day program, ages 7–15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Residents: $222.
*Host a coach and receive an $80 rebate on your registration!

Adult Programs

Indoor pickleball
Indoor Pickleball is now played at the Charlotte Central School on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Register online and join local pickleball enthusiasts in fun but competitive games.

Pick-up basketball
Join the basketball fanatics on Mondays and Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. at Charlotte Central School. All levels and ages are welcome to join.

Outdoor pickleball
The summer season of pickleball in Charlotte begins April 4 at the beach on Mondays and Thursdays beginning at 5:30 p.m. through the summer. Register online to be placed on an e-mail distribution list.

Intro to pickleball
Join recreation commissioner Greg Smith for free pickleball instruction on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. at the Charlotte Beach courts. The outdoor season will begin the week of April 4, depending on weather. Register online to be placed on an e-mail distribution list.

Full and partial scholarships are available for all youth recreation activities. You can find additional information on all of our programs on our website. Questions? Contact Nicole Conley by email.