The Athens-Clarke County
Leisure Services Department's

E-Newsletter

Holiday Mini Camps

The Leisure Services Department offers a variety of holiday mini camps during the school break. Space is limited. Online registration is underway.

Happy Holidaze: Day off School Camp at Lay Park (December 26-27)
Winter Wonderland Week at Heard Park (December 30 - 31)
New Year, More Fun at Howard Park (January 2)

For more information, please call 706-613-3800.

Currently on Display at Lyndon House Arts Center

The Lyndon House Arts Center presents fast tracks, ski masks, plaid slacks by Tim Root. This exhibition is on view through February 8. An artist event is scheduled for Thursday, January 30 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Tim Root's playful wooden constructions draw from a comic book aesthetic, featuring humorous yet grotesque characters that are brought to life in bold colors and graphic black outlines. Embracing a DIY ethos, these simple works are made from scrap wood and bits of wire. Intentionally crude, they belie their own sophistication of wit and richness of content. Root creates a world that is equal parts fun house and children's toy box, injecting an adult's perspective into the playground of imagination.

All exhibitions are free of charge and open to the public. Exhibitions are on view during regular gallery hours Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, please call 706-613-3623.

"Hiking 101" at Walker Park

Join Leisure Services Department staff to learn the basics of a fun and successful hike.

"Hiking 101" at Walker Park participants will discover the need to know of safety, comfort, and fun while exploring a natural surface trail. This is an ideal opportunity for those interested in getting out in nature, but have questions and would like extra help on how to start exploring.

Each participant will receive a starter kit with a few essentials to ensure you feel confident on the trail. This program is open to all ages, children are welcome with an adult.

This program is scheduled for Saturday, January 4 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Walker Park. The fee is $5 for ACC residents and $7 for non-residents. Online registration is underway.

For more information, please call 706-613-3620..

"Birding with Technology"

Who's that little bird? Join Trails and Open Space staff on a nature walk at Sandy Creek Nature Center to uncover all of the friends flying around our backyards. Learn who’s who using old school and new school techniques.

We will be highlighting smart phone apps Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Labs and Audubon Bird ID, feel free to download these to your phone prior to the program to be able to utilize them along our walk. A staff member will have an iPad utilizing the app in case you are unable.

"Birding with Technology" is for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This free program is set for Tuesday, December 31 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Online registration is underway.

For more information, please call 706-613-3620.

MLK Day of Service

Athenians are invited to honor Dr. King's legacy at the annual Athens-Clarke County Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 20, 2025.

In 1994, Congress made the MLK Day federal holiday an official day of service. Athens-Clarke County is one of the thousands of cities across the country that decides to make the holiday "A Day On and Not a Day Off.”

This year’s kick-off celebration will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Lay Park Gymnasium at 297 Hoyt Street. The first 400 registered volunteers at the kick-off will receive a free t-shirt and light morning refreshments will be served.

Following the kick-off, more than 30 different community organizations, government agencies, cemeteries and schools will host volunteer service projects, including Acceptance Recovery Center, the Athens Community Council on Aging, Books for Keeps, historic Brooklyn Cemetery, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Project Safe, Shoal Creek Sanctuary, and more.

Online volunteer registration will open in late December and close on Friday, January 17. Those interested in participating can find the registration link at www.accgov.com/mlkday. Limited day-of registration will be available at the kick-off event.

For more information, visit www.accgov.com/mlkday or email athensgamlkday@gmail.com

Renew ACCGov Leisure Services Scholarships Starting January 1

It is almost time to renew your ACCGov Leisure Services Department's scholarship

The scholarship program is for qualifying Athens-Clarke County residents under the age of 18.

Individuals with expired scholarships and new scholarship applicants must visit a Leisure Services Department facility office at least five business days prior to registering for a program. Those who wish to use the scholarship when registering for summer camp, must apply by February 28 to guarantee that the scholarship is applied to the account in time for camp registration

Scholarships must be applied for in person. Scholarships are issued at 25%, 50%, and 75% levels. There is a $400 annual cap in scholarship funds per child.

Requirements for documentation include a recent utility bill (last 90 days), the most recent IRS Tax Form 1040 (with children listed), and a valid photo ID.

Those individuals who have not created an online registration account, may do so at www.accgov.com/myrec. This needs to be done prior to applying for the scholarship so that the scholarship can be credited to the account

For more information, please call 706-613-3800 or visit www.accgov.com/scholarship

Winter Program Online Registration Continues

A diverse selection highlighting the arts, environmental science, recreation, sports, and holiday events are planned for adults and children.

Online registration is underway. Non-residents may register online starting Monday, November 4 at noon. Before registering, individuals who have not already done so must establish a free online account at www.accgov.com/myrec. Payment may be rendered using an American Express, debit card, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa, or a MasterCard or Visa gift card.

Registration will continue until programs are at full enrollment or they begin.

New scholarship applicants and individuals with expired scholarships must visit a Leisure Services Department facility office to apply for a scholarship or to renew an expired one at least five business days prior to registering for a program. Scholarships may not be applied for online. Information regarding scholarship program changes, including required documentation, is available at www.accgov.com/scholarship.

Individuals who do not have access to a computer or smart phone may register online using the computer labs at Heard Park at 400 McKinley Dr., Lay Park at 297 Hoyt St., or Howard Park at 291 Henderson Ext. during regular hours of operation.

For more information, call 706- 613-3800.

Take Your Turn

in the Spotlight

Athens Creative Theatre will hold auditions for “The Games Afoot” on Monday, January 6 and Tuesday, January 7 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Quinn Hall at Memorial Park. Show dates are March 6 – 8 at Quinn Hall at Memorial Park.

It is December 1936, and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. It is then up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop on this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays

Auditions take place at Quinn Hall at Memorial Park located at 293 Gran Ellen Drive. Those interested in auditioning should call 706-613-3628 or email act@accgov.com to schedule an appointment.

ACCGov Leisure Services Online Registration

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers a diverse selection of activities highlighting the arts, environmental science, recreation, sports,
and holiday events for adults and children.

All registration takes place online at www.accgov.com/myrec .

ACCGov Leisure Services Scholarships

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers scholarship to qualifying Athens-Clarke County children.

Scholarships allow participants to pay less than the program fee.

For more information, including required documentation,
please visit www.accgov.com/scholarships

Georgia Recreation and Park Association

Agency of the Year

Populations: 80,000 - 150,000

2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2019, 2021, 2023

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department

205 Old Commerce Road, Athens, GA 30607

www.accgov.com/leisure

706-613-3800