Bring your aspiring artist to create spooky yet beautiful autumn-inspired artwork while exploring how art supports early literacy. For toddlers, ages 18-36 months.

Learn about predator and prey relationships by taking a closer look at the eating habits of that mysterious creature of the night, the owl. Release your inner scientists as you examine an owl pellet. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay for the program or drop-off. Schedule: Oct 14, 2026 Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm Duration: 2 hours Ages: Age at least 6 yrs but less than 14 yrs,

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be certified as American Red Cross Lifeguards. Course includes CPR/AED and First Aid training. The course fee includes a textbook and a pocket mask. Prerequisites: Participants must be at least 15 years of age and successfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations. Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest by jumping into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed). Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds: Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed). Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. This is a blended learning class. Participants must complete the 7 hour online portion of the course prior to the first class. Information to register for the online portion will be emailed once registration has closed. Ages: 15 yrs +,

Spend the day at the “beech” as an ethnobotanist! In this series, we will explore the relationship between people and the plants around them. This session in particular will focus on our namesake species, the beech tree! We will discuss the importance of ethnobotany, learn how beech trees have been used over time and look for them in the park, learn sustainable harvesting practices, and get more acquainted with this species through a nature journaling exercise. Part of this program will take place off-trail. This program is recommended for ages 12+. Schedule: Oct 18, 2026 Sunday from 1pm to 2:15pm Duration: 1 hour 15 mins Ages: 12 yrs +,

Group: Adults · Category: Technology Class

Group: Adults · Category: Technology Class

Join us for storytime at Historic Oak View on October 21 at 10:30 a.m.! Listen to the story A Little Chicken by Tammi Sauer and learn about a little chicken who makes a brave choice. Afterwards, we'll visit the chicken coop and talk about brave choices made by the people who lived at Oak View. The program will conclude with a chicken-themed craft. Free and open to all ages, recommended for ages 3-9. Registration is required for all participating children and they must have a supervising adult. The program will take place indoors in a climate-controlled historic building and includes a trip outdoors to the park's chicken coop. This will require standing and walking between buildings on paved brick paths and grass. Schedule: Oct 21, 2026 Wednesday from 10:30am to 11:30am Duration: 1 hour Ages: All ages,

Interested in learning about Pickleball? Dive into the world of Pickleball with our beginner-friendly class at Bethesda Park designed for new players! This introductory course covers essential skills and rules you need to start playing and enjoying one of the fastest-growing sports in America. Over the course of four sessions, you will learn from one of our DPR experienced certified instructors who specializes in making the game accessible and fun. No experience? No problem. Come out and learn why people of all ages are excited about the sport of Pickleball! Please wear tennis shoes or court shoes, bring your paddle and a water bottle. Balls and nets will be provided. Ages: Age at least 18 yrs but less than 99 yrs,

Group: Adults · Category: Southern Branch in Carrboro

Interested in becoming a citizen scientist and improving your nature identification skills with park staff? We've got the opportunity for you! Harris Lake County Park is an ecoEXPLORE HotSpot which means it's a place where you can make observations of plants and animals and share them with scientists!Our focus for today's program will be on arachnology! Come learn about the spiders and other arachnids we have at the park and search for cool species! If you are new to ecoEXPLORE, please create a profile at https://www.ecoexplore.net/signup prior to the program. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Bring your device for taking photos and capturing data and wear closed-toe shoes. For ages 7 and up, must be registered with an adult. Space is limited! Schedule: Oct 25, 2026 Sunday from 1:30pm to 3pm Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Ages: 7 yrs +,

Join us as we learn about the invisible light called Ultraviolet and experiment on kitchen items. For kids in grades 3rd-5th.

Get into the fall spirit with our pumpkin carving class! This class will encourage creativity, build confidence and is a great way to celebrate the season. Ages: Age at least 8 yrs but less than 12 yrs,

Have you ever wanted to go on a treasure hunt? Come join us at Beech Bluff County Park to learn about the worldwide treasure hunt known as Geocaching. You’ll learn about what geocaching is, how to get started, and even try to find some of the geocaches hidden at Beech Bluff County Park. All children must be registered with an adult. Portions of this program do take place off trail and may not be suitable for individuals with limited mobility. Schedule: Oct 27, 2026 Tuesday from 10am to 11:30am Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Ages: 6 yrs +,

Tae Kwon Do is a martial art originated in Korea and the name means 'the art of kicking and punching'. It uses kicks, punches and blocks in a series of moves called 'forms' and in sparring with each other. Tae Kwon Do is a non-contact style of practice; each kick or punch is delivered with full force but lands several inches from the target. The class helps build focus, respect, confidence, discipline, and self-defense skills. Each student will have a personalized development plan created by the instructor based on individual needs and abilities. Students may progress through belt levels from white belt (beginner) to yellow, green, purple, brown and then to black belt. Students should wear work-out clothing; T-shirt and sweatpants and bring a water bottle. This class is suitable for anyone with no experience of martial arts through 2nd degree black belt. All equipment will be provided. The instructor is a Senior black belt instructor and member of USA Tae Kwon Do Masters Association. Ages: Age at least 16 yrs but less than 200 yrs,

Is your child a budding actor who enjoys the outdoors? We've got just the right opportunity for them: our Theater in the Park drop-off program! Over the course of three days, we'll practice skits and work together to create performances with a "Creepy Critters" theme. We'll have a final production of our work on the last day for your family to enjoy! No experience necessary - just bring your energy and enthusiasm! For ages 7-13. Be sure your child eats lunch before coming to the program! Dress for the weather and bring a full water bottle and hearty snack for each day. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Please be sure to register your child for all three days of the program! Also, register everyone in your household who will be attending Saturday's performance. Schedule: Oct 29, 2026 Thursday from 1pm to 4pm Duration: 3 hours Ages: Age at least 7 yrs but less than 14 yrs,

Join us for a guided hike from along the river from Eno River State Park to West Point on the Eno. This full-day adventure will be a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, get your steps in, and enjoy nature. We will meet at West Point on the Eno, take a shuttle to Pleasant Green at Eno River State Park, then start our hike 11 miles of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail back to West Point. Bring your lunch and study footwear! We will provide opportunities to refill your water bottles along the way. Dress for the weather. Preregistration required for all participants. Ages: 12 yrs +,

Is your child a budding actor who enjoys the outdoors? We've got just the right opportunity for them: our Theater in the Park drop-off program! Over the course of three days, we'll practice skits and work together to create performances with a "Creepy Critters" theme. We'll have a final production of our work on the last day for your family to enjoy! No experience necessary - just bring your energy and enthusiasm! For ages 7-13. Be sure your child eats lunch before coming to the program! Dress for the weather and bring a full water bottle and hearty snack for each day. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Please be sure to register your child for all three days of the program! Also, register everyone in your household who will be attending Saturday's performance. Schedule: Oct 30, 2026 Friday from 1pm to 4pm Duration: 3 hours Ages: Age at least 7 yrs but less than 14 yrs,

Is your child a budding actor who enjoys the outdoors? We've got just the right opportunity for them: our Theater in the Park drop-off program! Over the course of three days, we'll practice skits and work together to create performances with a "Creepy Critters" theme. We'll have a final production of our work on the last day for your family to enjoy! No experience necessary - just bring your energy and enthusiasm! For ages 7-13. Be sure your child eats lunch before coming to the program! Dress for the weather and bring a full water bottle and hearty snack for each day. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Please be sure to register your child for all three days of the program! Also, register everyone in your household who will be attending Saturday's performance. Schedule: Oct 31, 2026 Saturday from 1pm to 3:30pm Duration: 2 hours 30 mins Ages: All ages,

Speaker: Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture, Native Plant Trust Free; preregistration required Join us for this year’s Jenny Elder Fitch Memorial Lecture as Uli Lorimer with the Native Plant Trust explores the questions and challenges shaping ecological horticulture today. Successful gardens are being asked to be both beautiful and to provide ecological function. Welcoming more native plants into designed spaces has been shown to provide great benefit for humans and wildlife alike. Environmentally conscious garden decisions are based on assumptions that native plants better support ecosystems, that genetic diversity is essential, and that native cultivars may not be as functional as species. This talk will explore the assumptions and the challenges to those assumptions. What role does the nursery industry play in providing the right kinds of information for gardeners to make informed decisions? Do maintenance practices influence biodiversity, and how do science and research factor into these assumptions? REGISTER HERE

NOTICE - CLEAR BAG POLICY FOR RECREATION CENTERS View the policy by clicking here The Youth Basketball League offers the opportunity for youth ages 5-12 to learn individual and team skills in a fun, inclusive, and safe team environment. Participants will be led by a volunteer coach. This program uses a variety of sites across the City of Durham. Participants must be prepared to practice any night of the week. Games are held primarily on Saturdays, with some weeknight games potentially being included. When selecting the league age group, please register based on the child's age as of November 1, 2026. Registration will take place September 1-Oct. 2, 2026. Prior to registering, please review all relevant league information by visiting our Youth Basketball Webpage *** Your receipt will include a specific facility. This does not mean that the listed facility will be your practice or game location. Please wait for correspondence from the league coordinator or your coach for this information. Ages: Age at least 11 yrs but less than 13 yrs,