Notes: For more information or to register online for the programs listed here, visit JCPRD.com/Register and complete a search for any of the activity numbers listed below. To register by phone, call 913-831-3359. For all in-person programs, physical distancing and COVID-19 safe practices will be encouraged.

A reminder that while JCPRD’s 50 Plus programs are primarily for people who are age 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the 50 Plus Department at 913-826-2975 for space availability.

The January through April season of JCPRD program information is now online!

Here's a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of Jan. 23-29: 

Jan. 24 - Special Interest: 5 Steps to Connect with your Teen (Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, Ages 12-17 with an adult, second and fourth Mondays, 6 to 7:30 p.m., 6 sessions, $285 per person, $313 nonresidents) - It’s no secret - the teenage years are hard trying to find that balance of independence and still needing guidance. Parenting during this transition can be a challenge too. Now is the perfect time to start shifting your relationship and building a lasting, loving, open relationship with your teen. This class guides you through the five steps necessary to open communication, create mutual respect, and connect on a new level. Each parent-teen team will come together to perform a series of activities and crafts to help strengthen a respectful bond. Class meets every other week on the second and fourth Monday of the month for one hour with 30 minutes budgeted for questions with the instructor. Activity number 17159.

Jan. 24 - Art: Homeschool Art Adventures (Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista Dr., Shawnee, Ages 6 to 12, Mondays, 1 to 3 p.m., 11 sessions, $175 per person, $192 nonresidents) - Beginner and intermediate artists with little to no prior experience or formal instruction will get the opportunity to learn basic art skills while exploring art history and art theory. This class is designed to supplement your homeschool curriculum and encourage you to explore art through consideration, conversation, and creation! Activity number 17867.

Jan. 24 - Gymnastics: Indoor Playground (Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista Dr., Shawnee, Ages 1 to 5, 11 a.m. to noon, $5 per person) - Indoor Playground incorporates fun-filled playtime with obstacle courses and play gym equipment. Children up to 5 years of age will have the opportunity to focus their energy while developing strength and agility. Parent/legal guardian will be asked to sign a waiver and an adult must be present with their child at all times. Activity number 17840. Call 913-826-2950 for any questions. Friday session on Jan. 28, activity number 17841.

Jan. 25 - Day Trip: From Academy to Battlefield (departs from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Rd., Merriam, Ages 50 Plus, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., $89 per person) - Join us in a trip to Lexington, Mo., where we will take a guided tour of the Wentworth Academy Military Museum and learn the history of this prestigious institution. After lunch, head to the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site to hear about the Civil War battle fought at this site. Before heading back, drive past the Madonna of the Trail statue as well as the Lafayette County Veteran's Memorial. Activity number 16936.

Jan. 25 - Special Interests: Osher - Would You Like to Meet the Beatles (Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, Ages 50 Plus, Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., 3 sessions,  $50 per person) - The Beatles were more than just another rock band. They were a cultural tsunami that forever changed fashion, manners, humor, media, values, and style, while influencing musical genres and future musicians long after the group’s demise. Their 213 songs, 28 albums, and five films over seven years as a group were a mere prelude to their cultural impact that continues to this day. In addition to reviewing their origin story and “Beatlemania,” we will try to understand how these four became so fabulous. Participants will be asked to engage in trivia quizzes and discussions of their legacy. Activity number 17116.

Jan. 25 - Reading: Wanderlust Book Club (Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Ages 50 Plus, 2 to 3 p.m., $5 per person, $6 nonresidents) - 1st of a new season! Intertwine your love of travel and a good book with a travel-themed book club. Each month enjoy the selected book from the list and conclude the month at the clubhouse with a group discussion on how it relates to your travel and how it may inspire your wanderlust. This month’s book is "Still Life" by Louise Penny and is a traditional mystery featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators who are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montreal. Activity number 16932. See all the Wanderlust Book Club sessions this season.

Jan. 25 - Performing Group Music: New Horizons Band (Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, Ages 50 Plus, Tuesdays, 6 to 8:30 p.m., 14 sessions, $95 per person, $105 nonresidents) - Dig out your old instrument or purchase/rent a new one and join our group of fun-loving musicians. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played in years! Through a cooperative effort between UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Meyer Music, and JCPRD, this band offers an opportunity to make music in a relaxed, learning atmosphere. UMKC music majors assist the band director. Activity number 17129. Call 913-826-3160 for details.

Jan. 26 - Technology: Microsoft Office Workshops - EXCEL (Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, Ages 50 Plus, 1 to 2:30 p.m., $17 per person, $19 nonresidents) - 1st of a new season! Microsoft Office has likely been updated since you’ve last used it. Take this course for a beginner’s overview on the basic functions of Excel. Activity number 17005. To see all Microsoft Office Workshops this season, click here.

Jan. 26 - Games: Intro to Mah Jongg (Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, Ages 50 Plus, Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., 4 sessions, $47 per person, $51 nonresidents) - Learn the basics of this classic tabletop game from an experienced instructor. Each player receives a current Mah Jongg card to take home. Activity number 16994. To see remaining Intro to Mah Jongg classes this season, click here.

Jan. 27 - Special Interests: Osher Institute - Woodstock at 50 (Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Ages 50 Plus, Thursdays, 2 to 4 p.m., 3 sessions, $50 per person) - Rock music during the 1967-69 countercultural era started with the Summer of Love and ended tragically just two years later. We will explore cultural and political events of the time from the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, through the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, and ending at the Altamont Speedway Festival. While Monterey introduced the world to many soon-to-be famous performers, Woodstock gave its name to a generation, and Altamont brought the era of love and trust to a sad end. Join the conversation as we recall this seminal time in American history. Presenter Steve Lopes is a retired union organizer for the Kansas National Education Association who likes music. On Aug. 15, 1969, he was a college administrator from Boston getting soaked in the rain at a White Lake, N.Y., alfalfa field. Activity number 16993.

Jan. 27 -  Games: Bingo - Peanuts™ (Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Ages 50 Plus, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., $5 per person, $6 nonresidents) - BINGO! Delight in food, prizes, fun and 12 games of bingo. Variety of prizes awarded including gift certificates. Please pre-register at least one week in advance. Payment is required at time of registration. For the enjoyment of all participants, children are not permitted to attend 50 Plus Bingos. Cost of admission covers snacks and staff time to administer the bingo program. No additional charge for bingo. Activity number 16977. See all remaining Bingo sessions this season.

Jan. 29 - Nature and Outdoors: Winter Nature Walk (Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, 9:30 to 11 a.m., All Ages 2 & Older, $8 per person, $9 nonresidents - Bundle up for the weather and join a naturalist to see the winter happenings on the trail. Waterproof shoes are recommended for snow or mud. If there is inclement weather an alternate program will be held indoors. Activity number 16847. For more information call Outdoor Education Specialist Regina Wasson 913-826-2805.

Jan. 29 - Birding: Backyard Birds at TimberRidge (TimberRidge Adventure Center, 12300 S. Homestead Lane, Olathe, Ages 4 and Older with Adult, 10 a.m. to Noon, $12 per person (including adults), $13 nonresidents) - Create your own make and take bird feeder from unconventional items! Learn about birds in our area this time of year. Activity number 15658.

Jan. 29 - My Little Pony® Creative Drama (Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Ages 4 to 6, Saturdays, 10 to 11 a.m., 6 sessions, $66 per person, $75 nonresidents) - In this creative drama series friendship is magic! Just like Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, your kiddo will get to go on story journeys and adventures, as they create their own My Little Pony® characters and create their own kingdom; Equestria. Activity number 15117.