Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Services will offer swimming lessons July 14-24 at North Buncombe Park Pool:

Registration will be poolside on July 7 at 12 noon. Classes will be Monday - Thursday at the following times:

• 10-10:45 a.m. - Levels 1, 2 and 3
• 11-11:45 a.m. - Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
• 11-11:30 a.m. - Preschool Class for 3 & 4 year olds
• 6-6:45 p.m. - Levels 1, 2 and 3

These lessons are for children, but adults are allowed in with their child. The cost is $25 per person for a session of eight of classes. A $2.00 discount will be offered for families that have two or more family members enrolled. You must register and pay at the North Buncombe Park Pool. It’s located at 892 Clark’s Chapel Road. The phone number is 645-1080.

I’m told they do not have adult lessons but if they have enough interest they would consider adding a class. Private lessons are also available, for adults or children, at $15 for a 30-minute session.

About Each Level

Level 1 is the beginning of a swimming program. They will learn to blow bubbles, become comfortable putting their faces in the water, and begin to float face down (prone float).

Level 2 — they begin to add the flutter kick and float on their backs as well as learn the front crawl arms.

Level 3 — they begin to learn the back crawl and rhythmic breathing and are introduced to the butterfly kick and elementary backstroke kick.

Level 4 — they begin to improve front crawl and back crawl as well as learn the elementary backstroke, sidestroke, and butterfly arms. They also being to work more on diving.

Level 5 — they learn and improve all the strokes plus work on diving, starts and turns.

Level 6 is a continuation of all and they really begin to swim laps and learn rescue breathing and many other skills.

In each of the levels safety tips are also taught.

Pre-School class is a water acclamation class getting the younger children used to being in the water with someone else besides their parent or guardian.

Christ United Methodist Church hosts Vacation Bible School July 14-17. The theme is “Surfin’ Through the Scriptures Beach Party”. There will be dinner each night at 5:30 p.m., followed by VBS activities from 6-8 p.m. There are classes and activities available for all ages - birth through adult. For information call the church at 645-5785. Christ United Methodist Church is located at 81 Garrison Branch Road.

Weaverville First Baptist Church (63 North Main Street) hosts their Vacation Bible School, “Power Lab - Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power” June 16-20 from 6-8:45 p.m. each day. It’s open to children from 3 years old to sixth graders and will feature crafts, music, games, Bible stories and more. To register contact the church office at 645-6720, or register online at https://www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/FBCW2008.

Weaverville United Methodist Church holds their Vacation Bible School, “Beach Party-Surfin’ through the Scriptures”, June 9-12. Sessions are 9 a.m.-Noon each day and it’s open to the following age groups:

• Preschool 4’s & 5’s
• Elementary: Rising K - 4th grades
• Tweens: Rising 5th -6th

To register, contact Cindy Furr at 645-6721 ext. 102 or download the online registration form.

The Skills First Soccer Speed and Skills Development Academy will be held this summer at the North Buncombe Sports Park. Daily sessions begin Monday, June 9. The details:

Who: Girls and Boys, ages 8-18, grouped by age and skill
What: Soccer specific speed and skills training to increase coordination and agility
When: Summer 2008, with daily (5:30-7:30 p.m.) sessions beginning Monday, June 9- Friday, August 11
Where: North Buncombe Sports Park, North Buncombe High School
How much: $80 per four sessions enrollment. One day equals one session. Sessions need not be consecutive. All participants will receive a Skills First! Soccer Skills and Speed Academy t-shirt at the end of their first four sessions. Enrollment will be limited to ensure personalized attention.
About: Coach Randy Bassham is a seasoned, licensed youth soccer skills trainer. Randy has worked one on one with coach Cochi Vansuela, U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams’ speed coach, in order to develop this soccer specific speed and skills training for kids. Skills First! is designed to enhance layers’ eye to foot coordination, making it much easier for them to assimilate complex in-game moves. Games and skills drills are held in a fun and supportive environment with good self-esteem and team-based leadership skills a primary focus.
Registration Information: Contact Randy at 645-2030.

Vacation Bible School will be held at North Point Baptist Church June 16-20. The theme is “Outrigger Island” and it will be held daily from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Weekday Ministry Building at 119 Monticello Road. It is open to anyone ages 4 years through sixth grade (ie, those who just completed sixth grade).  For more information call North Point Baptist Church at 658-2226.

Week-long summer art classes will take place in Weaverville June 9-13 for K-6th grade students.  Here’s the details: 

What:  Week long Summer Art Camps for rising K-6th grade students.  Sessions are 2 hours per day.  Students will work with a wide range of subject matter and experiment with different creative mediums including watercolor, oil pastel, pencil, clay and collage.

Where:  Weaverville at Mrs. Angel’s mother’s home

When:  June 9-13.  K-3rd grades: 10 a.m.-Noon; 3rd-6th grades: 1-3 p.m.
(Grade levels can be flexible to accommodate scheduling or siblings)

Who:  Mrs. Angel grew up in Western North Carolina and teaches art at Veritas Christian Academy. She has a BA in Studio Art from Meredith College and has been teaching art for 4 years.

How much:  $80 per student.  $40 deposit due at sign-up.

How many:  Maximum class size is 8 students.

More info:  Contact Mrs. Angel at furmanandmolly@hotmail.com or 681-0106.

From the Joyful Noise Music and Arts Center:

Joyful Noise Music and Arts Center is offering clogging and Irish step dance classes at beginning and Intermediate levels starting in June. Classes take place at 30 Alabama Avenue in Weaverville.

Mondays – Intermediate Level Classes

• 5:30 p.m. - Kids clogging ages 5-9
• 6:30 p.m. - Irish step
• 7:30 p.m. - Clogging ages 10 through adult.  

Tuesdays – Beginning Level Classes

• 5:30 p.m. - Kids clogging ages 5-9
• 6:30 p.m. - Irish step
• 7:30 p.m. - Clogging ages 10 through adult 

Each hour long class is $12 per class. There will also be a week long intensive summer camp July 14-19 offering several forms of traditional percussive dance. Please contact Dance Program director Heidi Kulas for more information at 410-212-3215 or cloggerina@charter.net.