COVID-19 Virtual Programs & Activities

Parks and Recreation team is offering a variety of online programs from a variety of resources for all ages. We are working to add even more programs, so check back often for updates. (7/31/2020)
Register online for Virtual Programs: cheltenhamtownship.recdesk.com.

SINGLE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Theatre Horizon presents Virtual Drama Camp
Zoom Theatre Classes for Children in Grades 1 through 12 * 4 weeks * Price varies
Choose your own adventure: join us once or multiple times weekly!
Class length: 4 sessions, including one 30 minute performance.
Each class will meet once per week for 1.5 to 2 hours. Camp begins the week of July 27.
Registration link: http://theatrehorizon.org/education/virtualsummer.php
Use Township Discount Code: Cheltenham2020 and the $4.50 registration fee will be waived.
Classes by grade:
Entering Grades 1 - 3: Create Your Own Character • Drama Studio – Let’s Play! • Acting Games and Activities• Create and Move.
Entering Grades 4 - 6: Character Workshop • Drama Studio – Into the Future • Theatre Unscripted • Acting on Your Feet
Entering Grades 7 - 8: Middle School Drama Studio: Don’t Look Back
Entering Grades 9 - 12: High School Drama Studio: Don’t Look Back

Cooking Class: Cookie Monsters
Friday, August 14 * 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. * Ages 8-12 * $15 per child
We’ll prepare dough for 2 cookies: Butter Cookies and Black & White Shortbread Cookies. After class, kids can bake with their parents. (No parent necessary during this class.) Register.

Cooking Class: Sailing Through Summer
Saturday, August 15 * 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. * Ages 3-7 * $15 per child
We’ll prepare the SUMMER version of a snow globe: OCEAN IN A CUP! This class is designed for a child and parent helper. Register.

Know Your Medicare Options
During this FREE EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR you will learn how Medicare works, what it covers, how Part "D" prescriptions cards work and how to pick the right one for you, as well as the differences between Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans.
To register for this seminar, and receive the information needed to attend the online ZOOM meeting, please email [email protected]

Little Chemist Kit
This At Home Enrichment Kit includes all materials included for 7 hands-on activities.
Each of the 7 activities has an instructional video online (links will be provided).
Activities include: UV Bracelet, Magic Sand, Snow Powder, Chromatography, Hydrophilic Frog, Pumice Rock, and Dissolving Paper. Some of these activities can be repeated using the same materials after they have dried and returned to their original state.
You will receive a duplicate kit if you register more than once.
Younger ages may need parental assistance.
First deadline is July 24. * Second deadline is August 21. * Third Deadline is September 18.
Kits will be mailed out after enrollment deadline.
Register.

Gentle Flow Yoga on Zoom
Thursday, August 20 * 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. * Ages 18 & Older * $10 per adult
This class is intended for adults who can get up and down from the floor easily, students who are familiar with basic yoga postures, but it is also open to beginners. We will move slowly and consciously through the postures, flowing from pose to pose or flowing within a pose. We will integrate breath with movement, to create a moving meditative practice. A wider variety of poses are offered in this class, but there are always options/variations given for everyone in the class. Includes breathing exercises (pranayama) and yoga philosophy. Class ends with final relaxation (savasana).
Please note: You will need a yoga mat for class as well as the following items which are not necessary, but are very helpful with practice: a blanket, 2 yoga blocks (or sturdy books), a yoga strap (or bathrobe sash or old neck tie), and water. Prior to class, make sure that you have an appropriate amount of space for safe movement. Wear loose comfortable clothing and please abstain from eating at least 1 hour prior to class. Instructor Kimberly Brock has been teaching yoga for over 20 years.
Register.

Gentle Flow Yoga on Zoom
Thursday, August 27 * 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. * Ages 18 & Older * $10 per adult
This class is intended for adults who can get up and down from the floor easily, students who are familiar with basic yoga postures, but it is also open to beginners. We will move slowly and consciously through the postures, flowing from pose to pose or flowing within a pose. We will integrate breath with movement, to create a moving meditative practice. A wider variety of poses are offered in this class, but there are always options/variations given for everyone in the class. Includes breathing exercises (pranayama) and yoga philosophy. Class ends with final relaxation (savasana).
Please note: You will need a yoga mat for class as well as the following items which are not necessary, but are very helpful with practice: a blanket, 2 yoga blocks (or sturdy books), a yoga strap (or bathrobe sash or old neck tie), and water. Prior to class, make sure that you have an appropriate amount of space for safe movement. Wear loose comfortable clothing and please abstain from eating at least 1 hour prior to class. Instructor Kimberly Brock has been teaching yoga for over 20 years.
Register.

Cooking Class: Pizza Time
Friday, September 11 * 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. * Ages 8-12 * $15 per child
We’ll make homemade sauce and crust. Kids will assemble pizza with their family’s favorite toppings. After class, parents can supervise the baking, and then everyone will Mangia! Register.

Cooking Class: Let's Take a Dip
Saturday, September 12 * 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. * Ages 3-7 * $15 per child
We’ll prepare homemade hummus and a fruit dip – refreshing and no-cook, perfect for the summertime! This class is designed for a child and parent helper. Register.

Science & Engineering: Scratch Game Design
Saturdays, September 12,19 & 26 * 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. * Ages 6-7 * $80 per child
Embark on a fun journey to space with Scratch! Send an astronaut to the moon and defend your moon base from space rocks. Learn how to use Scratch to create and program sprites, backdrops and basic scripts. Create a new program each day, leave with evidence of your wild space adventure, and be inspired to explore the universe of programming. Register.

Science & Engineering: Electronic Game Design: Platform Games
Saturdays, September 12, 19 & 26 * 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. * Ages 8-14 * $80 per child
During the Electronic Game Design: Platform Games classes, students will create their own video game. A platform game is a side-scrolling, Mario-type game where students program characters and a two-dimensional obstacle course. They attempt to avoid or overcome enemies and reach an end goal on multiple levels. At the end of the class students will have created a game. Register.

RECURRING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Virtual Chess for Young Players
Mondays & Thursdays * 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The chess club that usually meets at the Rowland Community Center is using a new online platform to continue the fun and learning. Click here for more information.

Yoga
Good Wolf Yoga is now offering free or "pay what you wish" quarantine classes on Zoom. Instructor Jeni Smith has been holding Silver Sneakers classes at the La Mott Community Center and classes at her studio prior to the pandemic. Click HERE for the information to participate.
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. – Chair Yoga Flow for EVERY BODY! Grab a chair with no arms and a strap (or belt), and work your mobility, strength, balance, flexibility, and focus with seated and standing poses.
Fridays at 6 p.m. – Wind down from the week with Quarantine Quiet. Grab some blankets for padding, pillows for support, and a belt for length, and roll out your mat for an hour of pranayama (breath retention) and gentle mat-based asana (yoga poses). This class is for anyone who is comfortable getting down onto the floor, sometimes onto your belly.

Cheltenham Township Rocks #cheltenhamtwprocks #cheltenhamstrong
Now that we are in the green phase and parks are open, Cheltenham Township is asking residents to paint and leave kindness rocks for other residents to find while out enjoying our many parks. When you find one, please take a picture of it and email it to [email protected] as a jpeg or png. Tell us your child's name, age, and location the rock was found. When you find a rock please either leave it for someone else to find, or hide it again. Please remember to leave the rocks in public spaces where they can be found. Thanks! We will be sharing some photos on Facebook and on Instagram @cheltenhampatwp. Flyer.

Cheltenham Chalk Challenge #cheltenhamchalkchallenge # cheltenhamstrong
We have received so many inspirational photos from our community of chalk artists and we would like to see more! We are continuing to accept and share inspirational pictures or messages created in chalk from Cheltenham residents. The art and messages will brighten-up our neighborhoods and be shared on social media throughout the pandemic. Details.

ONLINE ADVENTURE CAMPS
To receive a discount use the code CHELTENFIVE (The code is case sensitive.)
Online Adventure Camps (OAC) offers a wide variety of fun and interactive summer programs for kids, pre-teens and teenagers this summer stuck at home and without an in-person camp to attend. OAC has been operating nationwide for over 22 years, over 1,000,000 campers, and worked with over 100,000 counselors and instructors. Flyer
Camp sessions started June 1st, but continue through the summer for as short as 1 week to 14 weeks. Periods start as early as 8:30 a.m. EST and are structured so campers may enjoy 3 one hour periods per day with plenty of screen time breaks in between and end around 3:30 p.m. EST each day.
Visit them online at www.onlineadventurecamps.com to enroll. You can reach their customer care team at [email protected] or 1-800-336-2098. Remember to use the code CHELTENFIVE to receive a discount.

Escape to Nature Camps at Briar Bush Nature Center
Briar Bush's NEW half-day Summer Camp is now open for registration! Give your child the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature through scientific discover, hikes, crafts, live animal encounters, games, and playtime.
Our 12.5 acres of forest serve as a rich oasis and perfect summer camp setting in the middle of the suburbs. We look forward to providing your child with memories full of excitement, new experiences, nature exploration, and all around fun in the outdoors.
Briar Bush Nature Center understands the importance of nature play and scientific discovery in a child’s development. Our modified half-day Summer Camp program, Escape to Nature, allows us to continue offering an opportunity for children to safely experience the wonders of nature at their favorite backyard nature center while limiting the exposure and transmission of COVID-19.
Escape to Nature Half-Day Camps are offered weekly from July 6th through August 28th for children who have completed Grades K-6 by summer 2020. Note: Campers are required to wear a face mask OR face shield throughout the duration of the program.
To register or learn more information visit Briar Bush.

Cheltenham Center for the Arts
CHELTENHAM CENTER FOR THE ARTS SUMMER ARTS FOR TEENS are specially designed for teens ages 13-16, who enjoy activities in the visual arts. Our programs give teens the chance to develop creative skills for self-expression by focusing on a single subject at a time. We encourage teens to explore the many ways to solve problems and think outside the box. Classes offered vary but include Gelatin Art Mini Journals, Wheel Throwing for Teens, A carefully planned program provides teens with a varied schedule that maintains a high level of interest and fun.
CRAFTY KIDS WEEK 2 for ages 5-12 is online using ZOOM. Campers meet weekday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon. There will be two classes daily with a break in between. Campers will be grouped by age and includes age appropriate art projects in a variety of media plus theatre games. Supply kits will be available for curb-side pick up.
IN-PERSON OUTDOOR CLASSES are now being offered. Options include Clay and 3D Exploration.
Visit their website for more details. Any questions should be directed to the Cheltenham Center for the Arts.

INFORMATION LIBRARIES & WORKSHOPS

Nasa
Let Nasa bring the universe into your home: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/nasaathome/index.html
Nasa at Home offers E-books/essays, virtual tours, podcasts, videos, and more. The Nasa website is worth exploring if you are an adult or a child. In the family sections there are games, drawing lessons, crafting ideas and more.

Mystery Science
Free easy science for remote learning. No account or log in needed.
All of the lessons are expertly designed to engage students, achieve learning outcomes, and be easy for teachers to use. There are short mini-lessons that are completely digital and full lessons that include an activity. All fo the activities are designed to use simple supplies that families will likely already have at home. https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning

Peanuts! Free Educational Materials for Students in grades K-8
Peanuts Worldwide, the company behind Snoopy and Charlie Brown, is offering free educational materials so students in grades K-8 can learn STEM, languages, arts and social studies alongside the beloved peanuts characters. Lesson plans were created by curriculum specialists at Young Minds inspired as well as in collaboration with NASA. https://www.peanuts.com/

Tookany/Tacomy-Frankford Watershed Programs:
Presented by: Tookany/Tacomy-Frankford Watershed Partnership Inc.
* TTF Creek Watershed Storytime Series: Listen to some our favorite water leaders read children’s picture books about nature in the comfort of your home! These stories are short and fun!
* TTF Outside & Seek Hunt #1 – Printable activity with animals and plants
* TTF Nature's Hidden Surprises – The Wind printable activity (create a Haiku) in English & Spanish
* TTF Resources for Recognizing Bird Calls
* Pennsylvania Wild Life Coloring Guide
*Online workshops:
Managing Stormwater Pollution at Home
Get To Know iNaturalist
Don't be a Drip: Online Rain Barrel Workshop

Cheltenham Township   ~   8230 Old York Road   ~   Elkins Park, PA 19027
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8AM-4:30PM
Phone: 215-887-1000   ~   Fax: 215-887-1561
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