ONTARIO — The Ontario Recreation Department is introducing several new programs, including a babysitting and art class, in early 2018.
Director Heather Hendrix shared information about the new programs at the Wednesday, Jan. 17 city council meeting.
The babysitting course is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 in the community room at the Ontario Municipal Building, 555 N. Stumbo Rd.
“I think this class is important because a lot of parents are looking for kids that have that kind of training to watch their children,” Hendricks said.
The class, taught through the American Red Cross, will educate teens on infant and child care and allow them to become CPR and first-aid certified.
The class costs $100 per student. Class size is limited to 20.
The recreation department will also host two “Cookies & Canvas” art classes, provided by new Richland Mall business Contemporary Artspace.
The classes take place Tuesday, March 6 and Thursday, April 5 in the community room of the Ontario Municipal Building.
Hendricks describes these courses as a “family-friendly” version of the adult “wine and paint” sessions.
“They’ll have two or three options of a painting you can do, and then, you take an 11 by 14 canvas painting home,” she said.
The class costs $35 per person. It’s meant for children in fourth grade and up. Parents can also participate. Class size is limited to 35.
Additionally, the recreation department will offer a “swim technique clinic” in place of its “swim stroke clinic.”
“The summer swim team group is actually doing their own swim stroke clinic, so we didn’t want to double dip and do the same thing that they were doing,” Hendricks said. ”So we’re switching it up a bit and doing a swim technique class.”
The class is intended for students who know how to swim. It will be held the second and third weeks of March.
For more information on these programs, contact Hendricks at 419-529-2588.
