Font ResizePEPPERELL -- As the temperature goes up, so will the activity level at the Pepperell Community Center.
And that can only mean summer recreation is back. This year, Recreation Facilities & Program Director Stacey Drahusz said new dance classes and a kindergarten social are coming along with Pepperell Recreation's long-running offerings. All events will be held at the Community Center located at One Main Street unless otherwise noted.
Registration for all events can be done online by visiting Pepperell-mass.com/recreation and clicking on 'Registration' in the top pane. Patrons may also print and mail a PDF version of the form or call the Community Center 978-433-0324 to fill one out.
The Kindergarten Celebration Social is scheduled for the morning of Wednesday. Aug. 22. Students entering kindergarten are welcome to celebrate summer and get ready for the first day of school.
According to Drahusz, the event is being brought back as a way to let kids and parents break the ice for the 2012-2014 school year in a comfortable atmosphere.
The event runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. requires at least 10 children to attend, registration closes on Monday Aug. 20. Registration costs $5.
In conjunction with the Senior Center, Ballroom Dancing classes will be cover the basics of waltz, foxtrot, swing, rumba, cha-cha and tango styles and introduce participants to some new types of music.
"The communitity
Belly dancing instructor Louise Dorian, who has been hosting popular classes for seniors, will be holding the program. Drahusz said Recreation and the Council on Aging hope to attract people of all ages to the program.
The sessions will run reach Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. beginning July 18 and cost $25 per person or $40 per couple. It will be held at the Pepperell Senior Center on 37 Nashua Road and registration must be done through the Senior Center front desk or by calling 978-433-0326.
Jennifer McGowan of Jennifer McGowan's Creative Dance will be hosting a Creative Dance and Art Workshop for children ages 4 to 9.
Using a variety of music styles to develop dance skills, learn about ballet and enhance modern dance vocabulary, children will learn ways of expressing themselves through movement. Dance class will be followed by an art project fusing art and movement concepts.
Healthy snacks will be provided and the each day will conclude with a special project covering aspects of drama and theater, the history of dance, yoga, sing-a-longs, costume design and more.
Visit McGowan's website at Creative-dance.com or, for more information about the class, call her at 978-433-8349.
The program will be held at the Community Center and runs July 16, 17 and 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. Registration costs $108 for three days or $40 per day.
Latin-inspired, dance-fitness Zumba parties are being offered for recreation patrons looking for less formal, high energy dance moves. They are invited to "feel the music and let loose for 45 minutes," Drahusz said.
The Zumba class will run on Saturdays for five sessions beginning July 28 at the Community Center. Registration costs $40 for the five week session or $8 per day. Zumba is one of many fitness classes running throughout the summer.
Eight weeks worth of 'Pilates with Lynn' begin July 2 and run Mondays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. through August. The exercise is performed on a mat and combines concentration, breathing and core muscles of the back and abdomen to benefit core strength, posture and overall well being. Participants will need to bring their own mat.
Beginner horsemanship classes are being held at the the Heald Street Farm at 28 Heald St. Instructor Amy Gage is an assistant instructor from the British Horse Society and a licensed MA Riding Instructors with 14 years experience.
The program will cover everything about horses including hoof care, parts of the saddle, bridle and horse and how to properly ride, groom and tack. Classes are small, so four to six students will have one on one instruction while riding and learn the basic controls and safe and correct way be around them.
Re-enrollments are welcome to build on the basics. Sessions run five weeks, Wednesdays beginning Aug. 1 or Fridays beginning Aug. 3. Costs $200 per student.
Required materials are boots or shoes with a heel, long pants and, if available, a riding helmet, though some are available at farm.
In addition to the programs, Pepperell Recreation is also holding several outbound trips this summer. The Tall Ships at Boston Harbor, June 30 to July 6, a Deerfield River Rafting trip, Aug. 4, the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanlgewood, Aug 12, and more.
Aside from registration, additional events and programs can be viewed by visiting Pepperell-mass.com/recreation and clicking on Program Guide.'
Follow Luke Steere at twitter.com/LSNashobaPub.
