family fun

After School Basic Sewing (Ages 9-12)

Students will learn the basics of sewing with a machine as well as by hand. Projects will be varied to keep students excited!

After School Teen Sewing Sessions (Ages 13-16)

Students will learn to use patterns to create garments and other projects. Use of a sewing machine and hand sewing will be covered.

Albany Exploration Zone - Explore After-School (K-5th Grade)

Out-of-school time is a great opportunity for kids to discover new skills and interests! Explore After-School provides exciting STEM materials, caring staff, and small group sizes where kids can try new things, make friends, and develop skills in a safe environment. A typical day includes a game or icebreaker, a warm-up activity, and some free time with the materials, in addition to the “main event” – a hands-on engineering, coding, or construction activity. All materials are provided, and participants will be split into small groups by age whenever possible.

Albany Exploration Zone - Inventor's Workshop with Makey Makey (3rd-5th Grades)

Ready to start inventing from home? The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub has created this course that kids can take on their own or with very little help from an adult! The Makey Makey is an electronic invention kit for all ages! The Makey Makey allows you to take everyday objects and combine them with the internet. Using the alligator clips attached to any conductive material you can control the keyboard of your computer, such as the space bar, arrow keys and left click of the mouse. When you are ready the back of the Makey Makey allows you to key map even more keys! What’s more, the Makey Makey is part of the maker movement! You can connect with people from all over the world to invent a wide array of electronic maker projects, from musical house plants, interactive classrooms and amazing assistive technology!

Albany Exploration Zone - STEM Saturdays

We provide the STEM supplies, staff, and activities – your kiddo just needs to arrive ready to have fun! These Saturday classes include an age-appropriate engineering, coding, or construction activity and an additional activity or free time. Because we understand that families have busy schedules, you can register for as many of these standalone activities as you like – choose just one or all seven!

Character Creation Spring Break Workshop

Join Young Rembrandts as we learn to draw animals found at our local zoo; giraffes, lions, tigers, birds and more! Our final day will result in one large scene of the zoo, including the many animal friends we have learned to draw. All dry media, no mess!

Drawing Classes with Young Rembrandts

These classes will be LIVE and interactive, taught by a trained, long-term Young Rembrandts instructor who will guide the kids through each drawing activity. Kids can show their work, ask questions, receive feedback and the instructor will provide encouragement throughout the class.

Fairytale Dance (Ages 3-4 & 5-7)

There’s nothing more imaginative than fairytales! Experience the magic of ballet as your child stretches, leaps, and dances across the floor. Using props and interactive songs, this class will help improve balance and coordination while introducing your child to the fundamentals of ballet.

Hip Hoppers (Ages 5-7)

Hip hoppers will learn basic hip hop moves and fun dance routines set to hit music. This class will teach basic leaps, turns, and tumbling while helping develop an overall sense of rhythm. The steps are sure to make kids groove to the beat in their own jazzy style!

Junior Zoo Spring Break Workshop

Join Young Rembrandts as we learn to draw animals found at our local zoo; giraffes, lions, tigers, birds and more! Our final day will result in one large scene of the zoo, including the many animal friends we have learned to draw. All dry media, no mess!

Splash Into Music (Ages 5-7)

This energetic movement and music class will keep your kiddo moving! Dancers will explore instruments and dance while they participate in activities that encourage collaboration and movement.

aquatics

Aqua Jog

Aqua jogging is a group fitness class with a trained professional teaching for about an hour. The classes focus on aerobic endurance, resistance training, and creating an enjoyable atmosphere sometimes with music.

Household Recreation Swim

Gather up the entire family for some fun in the pool! Members of the same household are invited to come and swim together. Adults are required with anyone under age 16.

Lap Swim

Lap Swim is exactly what it sounds like - swimming laps! Do your own personal training routine. When the shallow end is available, walking is permitted.

Personal Exercise

Aqua jogging is so fun & popular. This is not an instructor led session and participants must remain socially distanced from other participants. Flotation devices are available.

Senior Fitness

Senior Fitness is a group fitness class with a trained professional teaching for 45 minutes. The classes focus on aerobic endurance, resistance training, and creating an enjoyable social atmosphere sometimes with music.

Water Aerobics

Water Aerobics is a group fitness class with a trained professional instuctor. The classes focus on aerobic endurance, resistance training, and creating an enjoyable atmosphere sometimes with music.

Youth Swim Lessons

Make a splash with swim lessons at Albany Community Pool! Learning to swim teaches skills to be safe in the water and so much more. Swimming builds self confidence, develops self-esteem and makes water a safe, fun environment for a lifetime. We are focused on developing strong swimmers and confident kids.

active adults

CULINARY CONCEPTS

Carb Common Sense

Have you been curious about low carb diets? Join Athena Nofziger RDN, LD, registered dietitian and culinary nutrition expert to learn about nutrition and how to enjoy healthy, delicious meals! Watch Athena prepare tasty recipes while learning about the effects dieting has on metabolism, the effects of sugar consumption, and carb counting for diabetes prevention and management. At the end of each class enjoy tasting food and recipes prepared during the class!

Quarantine Cooking Kits: Join the Cauliflower Rice Craze!

Join Athena Nofziger RDN, LD, registered dietitian, and culinary nutrition expert from the comfort of your own kitchen as she shares tips, tricks, and cooking techniques. These tasty recipes and cooking kits make 4 servings, enough for the whole family or perfect for leftovers! These make a great lunch; add your favorite protein to make these meals a dinner!

Quarantine Cooking Kits: Sheet Pan Oven Roasted Vegetables

Join Athena Nofziger RDN, LD, registered dietitian, and culinary nutrition expert from the comfort of your own kitchen as she shares tips, tricks, and cooking techniques. These tasty recipes and cooking kits make 4 servings, enough for the whole family or perfect for leftovers! These make a great lunch; add your favorite protein to make these meals a dinner!

Quarantine Cooking Kits: Valentine's Day

Not sure what to do for your sweetheart during quarantine? We’ve got you covered! Registered dietitian and chef Athena Nofziger will walk you through the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner recipe (via video) while you cook along at home! No need to grocery shop - we will provide the ingredients you need to create this delicious Valentine’s meal. We’ve even got dessert covered with a box of chocolates!

Virtual "Instant Pot" Pressure Cooking Class

Join our registered dietitian and culinary nutrition expert, Athena Nofziger, from the comfort of your own kitchen to learn the ins and outs of pressure cooking and how to put delicious meals on the table without spending all day in the kitchen!

ENRICH, ENGAGE, ENERGIZE

Amateur Astronomy: Discover the Night Skies

Learn to find and recognize constellations and planets, and use some simple tools to see what is viewable. You will also learn about viewing meteors, variable stars, eclipses and many other phenomena and objects. This is a virtual class taught by members of the Heart of the Valley Astronomers.

Amateur Astronomy: The Basics

Interested in learning about astronomy? Want to know how the universe works, what a light year is, how a planet orbits a star, and how much space is really out there? This is the class for you! Join the Heart of the Valley Astronomers on Zoom for an in-depth introduction to the cosmos.

Capturing the Perfect Image

Have you ever taken a photo of something that looked awesome in real life just to find out later that it wasn’t done justice? Learn some tips on how to increase the chances that this doesn’t happen! There are a few simple guidelines to follow that will help your photographs be more aesthetically pleasing and fitting to your goal. Computers and programs for editing your photos will also be discussed and some examples will be shared.

Oregon's Rich History - Monday Class

Oregon's Rich History - Tuesday Class

There’s more to Oregon than you probably know! This class will examine the rich and diverse history of our state and will include many of the counties in Oregon. This course is enlightening, fun, and out of the ordinary!

Technical Aspects of Photography

This class will show you how to understand and use some technical aspects including image quality in relation to the exposure triangle. There will be discussion on perspective shifts versus lens length and how it relates to focus and depth of field. This class is especially recommended for anyone who owns or wants to own a camera with adjustable settings. Our expert will also discuss the differences between inexpensive and expensive cameras with some advice on selecting a camera.

EXPRESS YOUR CREATIVITY

Beginning Sewing: Session #2

This class will cover the fundamentals of sewing for the new sewist and those who need a refresher. Bring your machine or use ours. You will learn machine features, sewing techniques, and stitches. You will have the confidence to choose a pattern, fabric, and notions.

Fused Glass Garden Art

Create unique and whimsical garden art! Students will have access to a variety of beautiful glass. Let your imagination go wild and you will go home with beautiful pieces to put on display.

Fused Glass Mushroom Garden Art

Create your own cute mushroom garden art! Students will have access to a variety of beautiful glass. Let your imagination come to life and you will go home with beautiful pieces to put on display.

Fused Glass Wavy Art Scene

Get creative with your own wavy art scene! You will have access to a variety of beautiful glass. Have a fun time meeting new friends, using your imagination, and creating your own piece of art to take home!

Handmade Felt Scarf

Learn to make a beautiful scarf with silk cloth ruffles held together by felted wool fiber. This class requires some hand and arm strength.

Intermediate Sewing

This class will cover sewing seams, darts, hems, zippers, and finishing a garment. You will build on the skills you learned in Beginning Sewing or from previous experience.

Introduction to Sewing with Knit Fabric (Leggings) - Session #2

Introduction to Sewing with Knit Fabric (Leggings) - Session #3

Students will learn to work with knit fabrics and how to make their own leggings for all occasions! Fabric must be purchased prior to class and fabric must be pre-washed. Students must know the basic functions of a sewing machine for this class.

Introduction to Sewing with Knit Fabric (T-shirt) - Session #2

Introduction to Sewing with Knit Fabric (T-shirt) - Session #3

Students will learn to work with knit fabrics and how to sew a t-shirt. You will walk away with a handmade t-shirt! Fabric must be purchased prior to class and fabric must be pre-washed. Students must know the basic functions of a sewing machine for this class.

Mosaic Dragonfly Plaque

You will lay out and place your design at the first class by using tiles and glass. On the second night, you will grout your creation. Get creative and have fun! Invite your friends, meet new friends, make it a date night, or a girl’s night out.

Mosaic Easter Bunny Plaque

You will lay out and place your Easter Bunny design at the first class by using tiles and glass. On the second night, you will grout your creation. Get creative and have fun! Invite your friends, meet new friends, make it a date night, or a girl’s night out.

Mosaic Welcome Sign or House Numbers

You will lay out and place your own creative design at the first class by using tiles and glass. On the second night, you will grout your creation. Get creative and have fun! Invite your friends, meet new friends, make it a date night, or a girl’s night out.

Visible Mending - Session #1

Visible Mending - Session #2

In this 2-hour class students will learn how to create exterior and interior patches with visible and colorful stitches to mend a garment.

HEALTHY, ACTIVE AND FIT!

Barre - Session #2

Barre is a low-impact, high-intensity workout that combines elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates. Barre provides you with a full-body workout while also developing flexibility. Join us for these fun classes!

Chair Yoga: In-Person - Session #2

Chair Yoga: Virtual - Session #1

Chair Yoga: Virtual - Session #2

Learn to release tension and stress through stretching and breathing. With an emphasis on relaxation and meditation, chair yoga will move you through seated and standing poses while you focus on breathing and developing strength. Accessible to people of all fitness levels. Physical limitations? No problem! You will not be getting on the floor during this yoga class.

PiYo - Drop-In Sessions (Virtual)

PiYo - Session #2

PiYo combines the strength training and body lengthening aspects of Pilates with the core training and stretching elements of Yoga. PiYo is low impact and adaptable to all fitness levels. Unlike traditional Yoga, PiYo is designed to burn calories and make you sweat!

Qigong - Session #2

Qigong (pronounced “chee-gong”) is a centuries-old system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation. With roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, qigong is traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance qi, or “life energy”. All fitness levels welcome!

Walk with Ease

“Walk With Ease” is intended to reduce pain, build confidence in being physically active, and to improve overall health. No matter your fitness level, this program will help connect you with other community members who want to improve their health.

Zumba/Zumba Toning - Session 1

Zumba/Zumba Toning - Session 2

Zumba/Zumba Toning provides a total body workout using easy to follow choreographed dance moves to combine elements of fitness-cardio, muscle conditioning, balance, and flexibility. Zumba Fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise because they are super effective and amazingly fun.

volunteer opportunities

Adopt-a-Park Program

Albany Parks & Recreation’s Adopt-A-Park program is a way for individuals, groups, or businesses to show their pride and commitment to the city's parks and green spaces. With your help, we can keep our city parks beautiful, clean, and safe.