Bedford County Parks & Recreation Program Guide - Spring/Summer 2024

PROGRAM GUIDE

PARKS AND RECREATION WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR

CHRIS HIGGINS NAMED NEW PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR

Chris Higgins has been named the new Bedford County Parks and Recreation Director Since March 2020, he has served as the Park Services Manager for the City of Lynchburg. Chris joined Bedford County in the new position in mid-January.

Chris has over 10 years of experience in landscape architecture and construction management He also has led a sizable capital construction budget while with the City of Lynchburg.

BEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE

PARKS AND RECREATION NAMED BEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE WINNER

We are excited to announce Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine has chosen multiple of Bedford Parks & Recreation's programs and park features as some of the best in the Region. This amazing recognition is through their Yearly "Best of the Blue Ridge " When we say "Region," we are not talking about SW Virginia. We are talking about all the way up & down the Blue Ridge Mountain Range including multiple different States!!

Bedford Outdoors Adventures - Best Educational Outdoor Recreational Program - #1

Falling Creek Park - Best Bike Park - Top 3

Falling Creek Park - Best Disc Golf Course - Top 3

Thank you for everyone who had voted in recognition of the hard work of all the County staff and community members involved. It all truly shows here at Bedford County!

UPCOMINGSPECIALEVENTS

EASTER EGG HUNT

Saturday, March 30

Spring Oak Elks Home

11:00 a.m./Free

Come enjoy a free toy filled Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of the Spring Oak - Elks Home Egg Hunt will start promptly at 11:00 a m and children will be divided into appropriate age groups For more information please call (540) 5867682

MOVIES IN THE PARK

Friday, June 7

Friday, July 12

Falling Creek Park Starts at Dark/Free

Bedford County Parks and Recreation will be hosting Movies in the Park this summer at Falling Creek Park Movie titles will be released at a later date Food trucks will also be on site For more information be sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram or check for more details on our website this summer

YOUTH FISHING & OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE

Saturday, June 1

Discovery Center/Smith

Mountain Lake State Park

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

This annual event includes fishing, casting contest, fire boat rides, boat and water safety, paintball range, canoeing and a biologist exhibit Pre registration is highly recommended There is a 200 child limit Please call (540) 586-7682 for more information

YOUTHSPORTS

FALL SPORTS REGISTRATION

Fall Sports registration will start May 28th - June 29th. Fall Sports include Baseball/Softball, Soccer, and Flag Football!

Registration fee is $40 00

Credit card payments are now accepted for registration fee. *3.5% surcharge fees do apply for all credit card payments

ADAPTIVE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

Bedford County Parks and Recreation will offer adaptive baseball/softball in the Spring. Teams will meet on Sundays running from April 7th - May 26th 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.. This program is free to participants.

For more information or to register please visit: parks.bedfordcountyva.gov/athletics/adaptivesports

SENIORPROGRAMS

BINGO

4th Thursday of the month

Bedford Moose Lodge

12:00 p m

Bedford County Parks and Recreation offers Bingo on the fourth Thursday of the month Participants must pre register by the Monday before Bingo by calling (540) 586-7682

LINE DANCE

Tuesdays & Thursdays

Bedford County Gym

10:00 a m

Bedford County Parks and Recreation offers Line Dance classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bedford County Gym For more information please call (540) 586-7682

AARP SAFE DRIVERS COURSE

Tuesday, May 16 & Thursday, May 18

Bedford Rec Office

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

$20.00 for members/ $25.00 for non members

Bedford County Parks and Recreation, in partnership with AARP, will offer a drivers safety course for Seniors. Pre register by calling (540) 586-7682

CARDS & GAMES

Mondays

Bedford Rec Office

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Come join new friends and play a game of Phase 10, Mexican Train or Pinochle. Office may be closed for occasional holidays so be sure to check the monthly calendar.

PICKLEBALL

Tuesdays & Fridays

Bedford County Gym

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Free

Bedford County Parks and Recreation offers an open gym for Pickleball use on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2:00 p m - 5:00 p.m. Come try one of the fastest growing sports in America. Paddles and balls will be available while supplies last. Players can register by visiting playtimescheduler.com

ELDERFEST

Thursday, May 2

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday, May 3

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Bedford Moose Lodge

Elderfest is held each year in conjunction with Older Americans Month the first Thursday and Friday in May to celebrate the seniors of Bedford County. Vendors are on hand with valuable information and entertainment is offered both days. Dinner will be provided on Thursday and lunch tickets for Friday can be purchased in advance. During the event door prizes will be drawn for participants.

SQUARE DANCE

Wednesdays

Forest Recreation Center

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Free

You are invited to come and meet some new friends, listen to music, and dance if you so desire. Call 434-299-8208 or email thebedfordexperiment@gmail.com.

YOUTHSUMMERCAMPS

ART CAMP

June 10 - June 14 (Ages 5-9)

July 8 - July 12 (Ages 10+)

July 22 - July 26 (Ages 5-9)

Forest Recreation Center

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

$75.00 per participant/per week

July 15 - July 19 (Ages 5-9)

Bedford Recreation Office

9:00 a m - 12:00 p m

$75 00 per participant/per week

Join instructor, Mrs. Jenn Fitzgerald, for a fun filled day camp that allows each child to express themselves through the creativity of art Fee includes all supplies and each camp will be held at the Forest Recreation Center Space is limited and you must pre register

STEM CAMP

June 3 - June 7 (Ages 5-9)

June 10 - June 14 (Ages 5-9)

Bedford Rec Office

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

$100.00 per participant/per week

Join instructor, Shauna Saunders, as she provides a fun, accessible way for kids to explore their sense of wonder through structured experiences and learning opportunities Children will complete different challenges involving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) as well as building their teamwork skills, collaboration, using problem-solving, and letting their creativity shine!

PIRATES & MERMAIDS

July 8 - July 12 (Ages 5+)

July 29 - Aug 2 (Ages 5+)

Bedford Rec Office

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

$125.00 per participant/per week.

Enjoy a week of pirate and mermaid games, snacks, outdoor play, arts & crafts and more. Pre registration is required.

MAGIC FAIRY CAMP

June 24 - June 28 (Ages 5+)

July 22 - July 26 (Ages 5+)

Bedford Rec Office

9:00 a m - 3:00 p m

$125 00 per participant/per week

Enjoy being a magic fairy for a week! Participants will enjoy outdoor play, arts and crafts, snacks and princess movies Pre registration is required

SUPER HERO CAMP

July 15 - July 19 (Ages 5+)

Bedford Rec Office

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

$75.00 per participant/per week

COOPERATIVEEXTENSION

SPRING ADVENTURE DAY CAMP

Wednesday, April 3rd

W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Center

9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

$20.00 [registration required]

While kids are out for Spring Break, join us for a day full of outdoor adventures at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Center! Open to all youth ages 9-13. Lunch and snacks will be provided and youth will get to experience Riflery, Archery, Water Sports, Outdoor Rec, and more!! Must provide your own transportation

For further camp details and to register, contact the Bedford Cooperative Extension Office at 540-586-7675 or maribethm@vt edu

SUMMER FUN: 4-H CLOVERBUDS

Tuesday, June 11 - Thursday June 13

Cooperative Extension Office

1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

$10 00 per day

Join us for interactive summer fun, active games, crafts, snacks, activities, and more! Open to all Bedford youth ages 5-9. For further camp details and to register, contact the Bedford Cooperative Extension Office at 540-586-7675 or maribethm@vt edu

4-H SUMMER CAMP!

Monday, July 15 - Friday, July 19

W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Center

$350 ($100.00 deposit due at time of registration)

4-H Camp is an overnight opportunity open to Bedford youth ages 9-13 as of September 30, 2024, and youth who will turn 14 years old in 2024 The goal of 4-H camping is to develop life skills in a cooperative group living environment You do not have to be a member of a 4-H club to attend Registration for youth participants will open, on-line, Saturday, April 13th Registration will remain open until Friday, June 7th or until spots are full *Limited financial aid information is available upon request * For further camp details contact the Bedford Cooperative Extension Office at 540-586-7675 or maribethm@vt.edu

PLANT SALE

Saturday, April 27

Falling Creek Complex

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The Bedford Extension Master Gardener plant sale is held every year on the last Saturday of April at the Parks and Recreation/VA Cooperative Extension Building located at 1257 County Farm Road. The sale includes a large selection of plants grown by Extension Master Gardeners from seed, divided from plants that they already grow in their gardens, or from reputable, independent growers. Selections include vegetables, perennials, annuals, succulents, houseplants and small trees and shrubs All are appropriate for our growing region Because of customer interest, a focus will be on more native and pollinator plants Gift baskets and hand-crafted items of horticultural interest will be raffled All proceeds are used to support the educational programs offered by the Extension Master Gardeners Bedford Extension Master Gardeners will be available to assist in making informed plant choices for the area in which you will garden and to answer your gardening questions

EXTENSION STAFF:

ScottBaker ExtensionAgent, AgricultureandNaturalResources UnitCoordinator scbaker@vtedu

SusanPrillaman ExtensionAgent, FamilyandConsumerSciences sprillam@vtedu

MaribethMartin ExtensionAgent, 4-HYouthDevelopment Maribethm@vtedu

AmandaArmstrong

FNPAdultProgramAssistant aarmstrong@vtedu

SandraSeals UnitAdministrativeAssistant sseals@vtedu

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