Youth Activities & Classes

Art

The Art Center provides tons of fun for kids with our extensive offering of youth art classes. Want to get your young person started in art? Enroll them in our many preschool classes such as: ABC's of Shape, Busy Bakers, Art Smart, Holiday Story Factory and much more.

For the older children (ages 9-12 years) the Art Center provides many different opportunities to explore art with classes like: Art & Animals, Clay, Pottery for Kids, Drawing & Painting, Sculpture, Mask Making, Art Sampler and much more.

Parent/Child Art

Mom, Dad, or Grandparents, bring your budding young artist to the Art Center for fun filled classes full of many different art activities. Children can start as young as 2 1/2 years of age by enrolling in our many popular Parent/Child classes such as: Art Start, Fun Factory, Holiday Fun Crafts, Stories That Come Alive, Clay Mates and much more. Students will create one-of-a-kind art projects that will be cherished for years to come.

View a list of all available classes, then narrow your search via available search criteria.

For registration details visit our Online Registration page.

Nature

Fall for Nature (3 1/2- 6 years)

Participants will have the opportunity to study BATS, SPIDERS, and OWLS. For the BATS class we will study all about bats and the 14 kinds found in Idaho. In the SPIDERS class we will study spider anatomy, make an anatomically correct spider and take a hike to look for spiders. If spiders are brought in we will try to find out what kind they are. In the OWLS class we will study some of the owls of Idaho, do an owl craft, and dissect a real owl pellet. Classes include singing, hiking, a story, a craft, a game and hands-on experiences.

Participants will need to bring a sack lunch and water bottle. In the spirit of being green, please bring a refillable water bottle. We will be spending time outside so please come ready for the weather and wear closed toed shoes.

View a list of all available classes, then narrow your search via available search criteria.

For registration details visit our Online Registration page.

Martial Arts

Learn the principles and techniques of Shotokan Karate. Classes focus on the development of self-defense, self discipline and physical fitness. Open to beginning level students. Sessions are offered on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

View a list of all available classes, then narrow your search via available search criteria.

For registration details visit our Online Registration page.

Mountain Biking

Explore the single track trails of the Boise Foothills and learn new skills, including bike maintenance, technical skills, safety, first aid, trail etiquette, fitness and nutrition. Enjoy the outdoors with other young people in a fun and positive way!

View a list of all available classes, then narrow your search via available search criteria.

For registration details visit our Online Registration page.

Drop-In Activities

Preschool Open Gym

Toddlers and their parents and grandparents will have a blast playing on preschool sized gym equipment. We have balls of all sizes, jumpropes and other fun stuff too! Drop by for 10 minutes or two hours -- it's up to you. Starts Oct. 2. Cost is $1.00 per child. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-11:00 am at Fort Boise Community Center.

Neighborhood Open Gyms

Supervised open gym play for elementary school aged youth. Drop in for 20 minutes or longer. Open gym is from November through March, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas break. All gyms will be closed on holidays. All sites will have closure dates posted.

Open Gym is a service free of charge, provided by a partnership of the Boise Independent School District and Boise Parks & Recreation. For more information call 208-608-7652.

Information below is for the 2012/2013 season

View flyer

Grades K-6

Elementary School	Address	Saturdays	Sundays
Whitney	1609 S Owyhee St	10am - 2pm	1pm - 4pm
Liberty	1740 E Bergeson	10am - 2pm	1pm - 4pm
Koelsch	2015 N Curtis	10am - 2pm	1pm - 4pm
Valley View	3555 Milwaukee	10am - 2pm	1pm - 4pm

Dance/Drama

Drama

Theater experiences give young people a chance to try on other personalities and traits, to explore their feelings, and to be involved in the backstage workings of a production.

Youth who participate in theater classes and performances are usually more self-assured, more comfortable in front of groups or audiences, and have a real can do attitude about them.

Visit Online Registration for a detailed listing of classes offered.

Dance

Young people involved in dance experiences develop a better sense of body awareness, rhythm, balance, flexibility and appreciation for music and the arts. Dance is known to help young people excel at other athletic activities because of their ability to get their bodies to do what they want them to do and by building self-confidence.

Dance classes are held in 8 week sessions beginning in the fall. New enrollments cannot be accepted after the second week in February so students can prepare for the annual recital in May.

Tap Shoe Rental
We have a limited number of taps shoes for rent. Cost is $5.00 per season, not all sizes available. Shoes are at Fort Boise Community Center and can be checked out through your instructor.

Dance Attire
For information on class attire please contact Fort Boise Community Center, 208-608-7680.
For youth dance classes, shorts and t-shirts or one piece play suits are acceptable. Leotards, tights, and ballet shoes are required to participate in recitals.

Tap students must have tap shoes and wear clothes that allow comfortable movement.

Jazz and hip hop students should wear clothes that allow for plenty of movement.

Dance Recital
A dance recital is held in May, at the end of the season. The show is free and the public is invited to attend. Students pay a $5 recital fee, additional costuming fee may be required.

For registration details visit our Online Registration page.

Camps

Boise Parks & Recreation offers a variety of youth camps. They are categorized by theme: Art, Culture, Science & Construction, Cycling, Fitness & Adventure, Nature, Performing Arts and Zoo Boise.

View a list of all available camps, then narrow your search via available search criteria.

For registration details visit our Online Registration page.

Playcamps

Youth ages 6-12 years will enjoy a safe, fun-filled, quality summer program offered outside at five beautiful neighborhood parks. Weekly adventures are designed to meet physical/social development and to encourage healthy recreational play. Daily schedules include recreational games, arts & crafts, environmental education, field trips and swimming.

Participants will need to provide two snacks and a sack lunch each day. Playcamp staffs, experienced in child development and recreation programs, are fun and enthusiastic. All staff is childcare worker licensed with CPR and First Aid certifications. Register now! Spaces are limited. Please inquire about our family rate for three or more participants. If your child has a disability, which may require accommodations, please call Emily Kovarik at 208-608-7687.

Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis; however spaces are limited, so register early. Times are All Day 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Extended Day 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.

All Playcamps for Summer 2012 have reached their conclusion. Thank you to all the participants and parents that made this summer so much fun. Summer 2013 dates and themes will be posted in the near future so please check back.

FIVE PARK LOCATIONS
CASSIA 4600 Camas St.
JULLION 3901 N Jullion Way
ELMGROVE 23rd & Irene
IVYWILD S. Division/Ivywild
WINSTEAD 6150 Northview

CAMP THEMES
Boise Parks & Recreation Play camp will offer a variety of experiences by offering ten one-week sessions. The specific theme for each week is below (week 11 is only available at Winstead and Ivywild locations):

WEEK #1                                JUNE 3 - 7                              CELEBRATE WEEK
WEEK #2                                JUNE 10 - 14                          DISNEY WEEK
WEEK #3                                JUNE 17 - 21                          NATURE WEEK
WEEK #4                                JUNE 24 - 28                          ANIMAL WEEK
WEEK #5                                JULY 1 - 5*                            PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN WEEK
*(No camp July 4^TH) Week #5 is prorated due to the holiday closure
WEEK #6                                JULY 8 - 12                            SUMMER OLYMPICS WEEK
WEEK #7                                JULY 15 - 19                          TROPICS WEEK
WEEK #8                                JULY 22 - 26                          CAMPING WEEK
WEEK #9                                July 29 - AUGUST 2                MAGIC WEEK
WEEK #10                              AUGUST 5 - 9                        COUNTRY WESTERN WEEK
***WINSTEAD, IVYWILD AND ELMGROVE LOCATIONS ONLY***
WEEK #11                             AUGUST 12 - 16                    COUNTRY WESTERN WEEK

View a list of all available playcamps, then narrow your search via available search criteria.

For registration details visit our Online Registration page.

Tennis

Beginners: Learn the basics of tennis; grip, stroke techniques, serving, and movement. Classes are arranged by age group.

Advanced-Intermediate: Ages 8-16: For students who lack consistency in a rally but can coordinate footwork when contacting the ball on the forehand and backhand. Students can keep score, serve (but frequently double fault), and understand the basic rules. There will be some emphasis on game playing.

All participants may enter any of the end-of-session tournaments, called Treasury Valley Junior Circuits. By playing in one of the TVJC's, your child will qualify to play in the Idaho Grand Prix. Registration forms available at the Fort Boise Community Center, or Idaho Tennis Association. Call 208-322-5150 ext 206 for more information.

View a list of all available classes, then narrow your search via available search criteria.

For registration details visit our Online Registration page.

Tennis Court Reservations
Please call Fort Boise Community Center for tennis court reservations at 208-608-7680.

Swimming

Swim classes are available at all six pools. Eight 25-minute classes are offered Mondays-Thursdays in two-week sessions. Classes are taught by certified instructors.

Borah, Fairmont, Ivywild, and the Natatorium Pools are wheelchair accessible.

Click here to view more information on Boise Pools.

View a list of all available classes, then narrow your search via available search criteria.

For registration details visit our Online Registration page.

Adaptive Recreation

Boise Parks & Recreation's Adaptive Recreation program provides a wide range of recreational, social and educational programs for youth and adults with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities can choose to participate with one of our adaptive recreation programs which are specifically designed for someone with a disability or utilize inclusion services in which accommodations may be provided so that an individual with a disability can fully participate in any of Boise Parks & Recreation's programs.

Click here to view more information about Adaptive Recreation Programs and activities.