Above: Southborough Rec is offering fun ways to get ready for the holiday and to deal with having kids home over them. (images from flyers)
Southborough Recreation is putting on several events in December to help residents either prepare for holiday festivities or deal with the holiday school break.
The programs cover a variety of age groups and interests.
New York City Bus Trip
Saturday, December 7th (6:00 am – about 11:00 pm)
Recreation is again partnering with Ashland to offer residents a chance to join sightseers during the prime holiday and shopping season in NYC, without making the long drive and searching for parking.
This year’s jaunt to the Big Apple takes place the first Saturday in December. There are no age limits, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
(Sales are final — so I need to point out that this is also the day when a lot of annual festivities are scheduled to take place in Southborough, including Santa Day.)
Attendees will take a “deluxe motor coach” from the Ashland Community Center at 6:00 am to arrive around 10:00 am, and be dropped off near St. Patrick’s Cathedral/Rockefeller Center. Passengers will get back on the bus (at a location on Madison Ave) at 7:00 pm.
For the approx 9 hours between dropoff and pickup, the fun is up to you. Rec pitches, “December is great time to be in the Big Apple, whether you are doing holiday shopping, seeing a show or just enjoying the seasonal atmosphere. There is something for everyone!” The registration page includes links to sightseeing resources.
The trip costs $99 per person. To register, click here.
The following programs will take place at Southborough Recreation’s space in the South Union Building at 21 Highland Street:
Tween Holiday Pottery Workshop
Sundays, December 8th & 15th (1:00 – 5:00 pm)
This program is for tweens ages 10+. Instructors will guide students to “craft beautiful holiday-themed pottery pieces, perfect for gifts or seasonal decorations”.
The class is pitched as fun and rewarding for all skill levels.
The two-part workshop costs $75. To register, click here. [Editor’s Note: I edited the flyer since the dates posted weren’t Sundays and didn’t match the dates on the program registration page.]
Children’s “Prep for the Holidays” Dining Etiquette
Sunday, December 8th (3:30 pm-5:00 pm)
New England School of Protocol will run this interactive program for children ages 7-12. Kids will learn “the essentials of polite dining and social etiquette, ensuring they shine at every holiday gathering., showcasing confidence, courtesy, and self-reliance in any social or dining situation.”
The program is pitched as fun and full of holiday cheer. The workshop cost $75 per child. To read more or sign up, click here.
Holiday Break Half Day
Friday, December 20th (after school to 3:30 pm)
This program is for Woodward and Neary students on the half day that kicks of the holiday winter break. Kids will take Recreation’s van from their school to Rec’s programming space.
Kids will watch a movie (Small Foot) and enjoy snacks and “winter-themed” art projects. Participants need to bring their own nut-free lunch and water bottle.
The cost is just $15, and registration is limited. To register, click here.
Holiday Break Programs
These events for kids ages 5-12 are designed to give parents some breathing room to get things done, enjoy a night out, or just relax. There are two half day sessions in the morning and one evening.
They don’t specify how kids will be entertained, just that they will entertain them. (Think of it as a less expensive, group babysitter.)
Registration for this one won’t open until December 1st and space will be limited. (So you may want to save the date to sign up.) The opportunities will be available for:
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- Monday, December 23rd (9:00 am – 12:00 pm) — $20/kid
- Monday, December 30th (9:00 am – 12:00 pm) — $20/kid
- and Friday, December 27th (5:30 – 8:30 pm) — This one includes a pizza dinner — $25/kid
Recreation is also partnering with Shrewsbury to offer a Rec Connect Holiday Gift Crafternoon for people with diverse abilities who may need additional support. I’ll be posting about that along with other Rec Connect programs. But you can check that out here.
