The big story of the summer of 2012 is the heat wave across the country. I don’t know about you, but South Florida’s combination of unbearable temperatures and extreme humidity put a damper (focus on damp) on everything I do.
This week I saw the first signs that the hot summer is coming to an end— Halloween decorations in the local discount stores. And, at last, the one true indicator of the end of summer arrived in the mail. I have never before been so happy to see the Dave and Mary Alper Jewish Community Center’s fall program guide.
The JCC Class Finder, jam packed with more than one hundred programs and activities for all ages from pre-school to senior adult, should have already appeared in members’ mailboxes. Non-members can call the J for a complimentary copy. Registration is already underway, and classes begin the week of Aug. 26.
First, I want to remind parents about the Kids’ Connection After School Program, challenging, enriching supervised activities such as computers, sports, arts and crafts, science, drama, and Hip-Hop. The kids don’t want to hear that study hall is available, but they will like the snacks. Ask if bus transportation is offered for your child’s school.
There are tons of athletic choices for the elementary school crowd. Baseball, basketball and tennis leagues provide instruction with emphasis on player development in a competitive environment where sportsmanship is emphasized. Have your child try Kung Fu, Tai Chi or Mixed Martial Arts Boot Camp. Consider group and private swimming or tennis lessons for both novice and developed athletes.
New this year is Super Soccer Stars is a soccer development program for children from age two to sixth grade. The program is designed to develop skills, self-confidence, and teamwork in a fun, noncompetitive educational environment. Kick & Play is a parent-child, pre-soccer and movement program for children 12 to 24 months. Experienced instructors and their puppet friends, Mimi & Pepe, take you and your little one through a world of exciting physical activity. Individual attention, positive reinforcement, and engaging original music help develop pre-soccer skills.
Arts classes for elementary age children include Clay with Sam, Ceramics, Painting with Acrylics and Krafty Kids with Carol Walton. The Dance Center at the J offers multi level classes in classical ballet, jazz, hip-hop and tap. Miami Children’s Theater classes include a variety of acting and performance options for elementary and middle school students. Other activities for elementary- age children include Kids Cuisine and Book Magic, which excites children about reading through improvisation.
In addition to adult programs in tennis, swimming, water aerobics and martial arts the J offers an unbelievable array of fitness choices. Personal training creates an individualized exercise including pre-exercise health screening, nutritional assessment, body composition, client goals and exercise prescription. Classes include Intro to Fitness, Abs & Lower Back, Circuit Training, Lunch Bunch Circuit Training, Cardio Circuit Kickboxing, Body Sculpting, Core Control with Ball Strength Training, Salsa & Zumba, Shabbat Aerobics, Core Pilates, Low Impact with Aerobics, Step & Pump, TRX Suspension Training, Massage and Therapeutic Body Work and Indoor Cycling. The Silver Sneakers and Yogastretch programs continue to be a popular choice for the over 65 set.
Space considerations prevent me from listing the hundreds of other offerings. You owe it to yourself to get a copy of the Source Book and explore the myriad of classes available. Sign up for a class today. You’ll be glad you did.
Registration is already underway. Classes are open to the community – but members pay a lower fee. For information on classes and membership, call 305-271- 9000, ext. 235, or log on to www.alperjcc.org
