Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our community, Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers year-round program, activities, and special events for all ages!

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.

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.

Here’s a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of Sept. 8-14:

Sept. 9 and ongoing - Games: Board Game Bonanza (Ages 50 and Older)

• Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Mondays, 1 to 3 p.m., $1 per person
• Gather around for a board game bonanza! Our meetup is a haven for board game enthusiasts of all levels and offers a space to play, connect, and discover new favorites! Come alone or bring a friend! Play one of our games or bring one of your own! Join us and let the games begin! $1 drop-in fee recommended. Activity number 40110. 

Sept. 9 - Group Swim Lessons (Ages 6 Months and Older)

• Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, 17251 W. 87th St., Lenexa, day and beginning times vary, 15 classes in seven levels, beginning times vary, 8 30-min. sessions, $65 per child, $72 nonresidents
• Morning classes available. Lesson levels include: Tot & Me, Preschool A, Preschool B, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4. Most levels are assigned based on skill level rather than age. Find descriptions of swim levels, or use our Swim Level Assessment Form. Registration opens Aug. 26.

Sept 9 - Museum: Sensory Friendly Monday (All Ages)

• Johnson County Museum at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 9 a.m. to noon, $4 per person for ages up to 18, $6 per person for ages 18 to 59, and $5 per person for ages 60 and older 
• Come enjoy the Johnson County Museum and KidScape in a comfortable, low-sensory environment. This limited-occupancy session is designed specifically for children with sensory processing differences and Autism Spectrum Disorders, and their families. We welcome visitors of all abilities and museum experience. We also welcome hand fidgets, comfort items, weighted blankets and vests, and mobility devices. Activity number 39765. For questions about this program, please call 913-715-2570.

Sept. 11 - Art: Drop-in Art Exploration (Ages 50 and Older) 

• Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, 10 a.m. to Noon., $15 per person, $17 nonresidents
• NEW! Are you curious about joining an art class, but unsure about where to begin? Join us monthly for an artistic journey led by our newest instructor, Jill Tichenor. Explore a spectrum of mediums and get to play around with graphite drawing pencils, ink, watercolors, gouache, acrylics, pastels and more. All other materials are not provided. No experience needed. Build the confidence you need to join our Watercolor and Painter’s Palette classes. Activity number 40197. 

Sept. 11 - Special Interest: Safe Senior: Fire & Fall Prevention (Ages 50 and Older)

• Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista Dr., Shawnee, 1 to 2 p.m., FREE
• Adult caretakers, are you concerned about your parents falling or accidently leaving the stovetop on? If so, join us for a fun, educational workshop featuring information to help prevent accidental falls and fires. Information on how to schedule a Safe Senior visit will also be provided. Presented by members of the Safe Senior Program. Activity number 40191. 

Sept. 11 - Museum: Retro Storytime - “The Little Red Hen” (All Ages) 

• Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 10 to 10:45 a.m., $2 per person, FREE for museum members
• 1st of a New Season! - Preschoolers love stories from long ago, read by a special guest from the 1950s All-Electric House! A craft activity is included after the story ends. Published in 1953, this story is a long-time favorite about a hen, hard work, and the benefits of collaborating with friends. Activity number 39970.

Sept. 11 - Dance: Homeschool Dance Adventures I (Ages 6-10)

• Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Thursdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m., 11 sessions, $178 per person, $196 nonresidents
• Embark on a dance journey like no other in this 11-week program. From the graceful movements of ballet to the upbeat rhythms of tap and jazz, this program introduces students to a variety of dance styles in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. No prior dance experience is necessary — all that's needed is a willingness to wiggle, move and discover the joy of dance! Activity number 39262.

Sept. 11, 12 - (2 separate classes) Art: Homeschool Art Adventures II (Ages 8-13)

• Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 1 to 3 p.m., days vary (see below), 11 sessions, $237 per person, $261 nonresidents
• Intermediate artists will hone skills learned in previous art experiences while following instructions and working independently, try out more advanced techniques and mediums as well as having an opportunity to explore art history and art theory. This class is designed to supplement homeschool curriculums and encourage explore of art through consideration, conversation, and creation! Wednesday class beginning Sept. 11, activity number 39245. Thursday class beginning Sept. 12, activity number 39246. 

Sept. 12 - Make: Homeschool Making & Engineering II (Ages 12-17)

• Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m., 11 sessions, $237 per person, $261 nonresidents
• Focusing on design and digital fabrication, this 11-week series will teach the basics of 2D and 3D design as well as introduce them to 3D printing and laser cutting. Other skills covered in this class include wiring basic electrical circuits and using hand tools. This class is designed to supplement your homeschool curriculum and let you explore art, making, science and engineering in a hands-on way. Activity number 39249.

Sept. 12 - Special Populations: Fall Art Series (Ages 8-16)

• Locations vary each week (see below), 5:30 to 7 p.m., 4 sessions, 3 Thursdays and 1 Tuesday, $40 per person.
• Check out our Fall Art Series for ages 8 to 17, connecting art with nature! It will run for four weeks touching on a different topic each week. Week 1 (Sept. 12) is Spectacular Sunflowers - Meadowbrook Park Shelter #2, 9101 Nall Ave., Overland Park. Week 2 (Sept. 19) is Clues to Nature - Shawnee Mission Park, Shelter #6, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa. Week 3 (Sept. 26) is Trees in Nature & Art - Antioch Park, Shelter #1, 6501 Antioch, Merriam. Week 4 (Sept. 26) is Amazing Insects - Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center Makerspace, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park. Classes will be outdoors for the first three weeks, while the last class will be indoors. Start collecting recyclable materials week 1 to have them ready for your project week 4! Activity number 39267. JCPRD’s Special Populations programs provide fun, educational and socializing activities for members of the Johnson County community with special needs.

Sept. 12 registration deadline, program is Sept. 14 - Astronomy: International Observe the Moon Night (All Ages)

• Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, 7:30 to 9 p.m., $9 per person, $10 nonresidents  
• Observe the moon through a telescope, learn about lunar phases, make impact craters and your very own moon journal, and more! You may also bring your own binoculars and chair. Program fee is nonrefundable. Advance registration required. Activity number 40227. 

Sept. 13 - Social Event: Fall Fling Singles Mixer (Ages 50 and Older)

• Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, 2:30 to 4 p.m., $15 per person, $16 nonresidents
• NEW! Fall into a fun afternoon of mixing and mingling with other single adults. This social will include exciting games to break the ice to get everyone chatting. This is a great opportunity to make new connections and enjoy a memorable afternoon. Bring a friend or come make new ones. Light refreshments will be served. Women’s registration, activity number 40563. Men’s registration, activity number 40562.

Sept. 13 - Adventure Walk: Preschool Twilight Hike (Ages 3-6 with an Adult)

• Ernie Miller Park, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, 7 to 8:30 p.m., $9 per person - including adults, $10 nonresidents 
• Explore the trails at Ernie Miller Park as the sun sets. Listen for the nocturnal sounds of a cricket’s chorus and a barred owl’s call. Gather around a cheery fire ring for stories, activities and a tasty treat. Participants should bring a flashlight. This activity includes a short indoor animal program before heading out to the trail. Advance registration required. Activity number 39968.

Sept. 13 - Special Interest: Nutrition Made Simple (Ages 50 and Older)

• Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 10:30 a.m. to Noon, $5 per person, $6 nonresidents
• Does healthy eating confuse you? This presentation breaks down myths and provides strategies to help you understand real nutrition so you can start eating healthy today. Learn how to read food labels, identify diet traps and make small lifelong changes. Program presented by K-State Extension. Activity number 40429.

Sept. 13 - Theatre: Homeschool Acting Adventures I (Ages 6-10)

• Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Fridays, 9:30 to 11 a.m., 10 sessions, $162 per person, $178 nonresidents
• Lights, camera, action! Young actors will explore the exciting world of acting through scene work, theater games, and even try their hand at monologues. Learn to work in a group, grow your reading skills, public speaking, and make some friends along the way! No previous acting experience is necessary — all that's required is a passion for storytelling and a desire to have fun! Activity number 39263.

Sept. 14 - TimberRidge Adventure Race (All Ages) 

• Kill Creek Park, 11670 S. Homestead Lane, Olathe, and will include activities in Kill Creek Streamway Park, and in portions of the adventure course at TimberRidge Adventure Center, 9 a.m., fees vary
• This event offers both two- and six-hour options, both for singles and teams of up to four, which may involve navigation, trekking (running or hiking), mountain biking, paddling, and use of some elements of the TimberRidge Adventure Center. There may also be surprise challenges for all courses. Athletes will have access only to the gear, food, and drink that they carry on their bike or in their pack. Topographic maps will be issued at check-in. The team that completes all the checkpoints (or more than other teams) with the fastest time will win the race. Register for this event. Registration for this event ends Sept. 14.

Sept. 14 - Lanesfield Historic Site - Open Hours (All Ages)

• 18745 S. Dillie Road, Edgerton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month, FREE
• The limestone schoolhouse, the last remaining structure in the former town of Lanesfield, is the oldest operating schoolhouse in Johnson County. Students attended from 1869 - 1963 when the school closed. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The site today includes the original schoolhouse, four outbuildings, and a modern visitors center that houses the exhibit One-Room Schools in Kansas, a museum store and restrooms. For questions, call 913-715-2570.

Sept. 14 - Free Day at the Johnson County Museum (All Ages)

• 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., FREE
• During this free day, visitors can explore the Johnson County Museum’s signature exhibition, experience the museum’s KidScape area, and see the current special exhibit, "Free to Be...A 1960s Fashion Revolution," which takes visitors on a captivating journey through the vibrant world of 1960s women's fashion via four distinct themes that symbolize the era's spirit of self-expression and cultural transformation. Curated in collaboration with Johnson County Community College's Fashion Merchandising and Design department, this special exhibit will be on display through Jan. 11. Note that to ensure a fun and safe Free Day experience for everyone visiting the KidScape area, entry to this popular area we'll be limited to 100 people each hour. No pregistration required for museum entry. For more information call 913-826-2787.