PRCS department unveils slate of programs for Culver City youth

As the holiday surge of COVID-19 passes and vaccines continue to be distributed, Culver City’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services department continues to open up spring activities for kids to participate in. 

‘Pintsize Soccer’ and ‘Tennis for Kids’ are both being hosted as youth

Pintsize Soccer is currently offered online, on Saturdays and Sundays for kids from two to six years old. It serves as an introduction to soccer and prepares children for organized sports league play in a FUN, positive environment. Children will learn and practice a variety of soccer skills such as dribbling, kicking and passing, trapping, throwing, and agility. They will also learn how to work within a team, the basic rules of the game and much more.

Parents are encouraged to participate and must stay for the duration of the class. The cost for the class is $108 for residents and $119 for non-residents for six weeks.

“Tennis for Kids’ will be held at the Fox Hills courts for six weeks. Tennis for Kid’s Recreational Pathway classes are designed to introduce beginning student to the game of tennis with a variety of fun drills and games. Instructor Ted Salter’s teaching approach is built around the proven success of the USTA 10 and Under Program. This approach makes it easier for beginning players to learn the game and to enhance their enjoyment of tennis.

Cost of the camp is $120 for residents and $131 for non-residents. Salter is also available for private lessons at $40 an hour for residents and $51 an hour for non-residents.

For those kids more inclined towards martial arts, Kanini’s Golden Tiger Kung Fu class taught by fourth generation instructor Sifu Behnam Kanini may be what they are looking for. 

Kanini teaches the Fu Jow Pai, or Tiger Claw System, which is based on the movements and demeanor of an attacking tiger and includes: Empty hand forms, weapon forms, empty hand against weapon.

The curriculum of the class is proven, and hasn’t been modified since 1968, and promotes fitness, weight control, cardio, stamina, strength, patience, discipline and stress reduction.

Cost of the class is $135 for residents and $146 for non-residents.

Frequent visitors of the Culver City Skate Park may be interested in the Skateside Afterschool program. Participants will get safe, engaging skateboarding instruction with time to socialize and decompress after a day at school. 

Wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads and helmet are mandatory.

As the show ‘America Ninja Warrior’ becomes increasingly popular, so too do the obstacle courses that the participants attempt to complete.

For kids aspiring to be ‘ninjas’ themselves, the ‘Pintsized Ninja’ program might be the perfect thing.

Grab your Ninja gear and get ready for 30 minutes of fun exercises, challenges and indoor games that will improve strength, agility, balance and focus all while getting all that extra energy out, while little ninjas can’t make it to the jungle gym. The program will be hosted online. 

Some kids may not be interested in any of these, so they may want to check out programs for the artistically inclined.

One of those activities is ‘Dee-Lightful’s Musical Theatre Workshop,’ which is still deciding between Willy Wonka, FAME, Madagascar, or a play based on a story from the Magic Tree House series. 

The main class takes place on Saturday’s from 2 to 5 p.m., with specific scenes being rehearsed from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, as well as 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Fridays. 

There is a mandatory orientation for participants and their parents with instructors Dolores Aguanno and Allegra Williams-Stirrat. The cost of the program is $595 for residents and $606 for non-residents, which includes a $375 material fee due at orientation.

This fee includes script/music, performance DVD, show license, and other production costs.

There are also a set of activities for teens to participate in, which are:

  • Walking Group: Let’s go for a walk! Teens will meet with a Recreation Leader at a different park each week to get fresh air and stretch their legs.
  • TikTok Dance Crew: Let’s dance! Teens will meet with a Recreation Leader at Carlson Park to learn and record a new TikTok Dance. Participants will choose the dance for the next week.
  • Art in the Park: Bring your creativity! Teens will meet with a Recreation Leader at El Marino Park and create a new art piece each week. A different medium will be provided each week. Participants will not share tools.

These programs are all free, and meant for grades 6-8 or 9-12. Masks will be required, and there will be no more than 12 people per group allowed. Temperature and health checks will also be employed daily.

For more information, visit the PRCS official website at culvercity.org/City-Hall/Departments/Parks-Recreation-Community-Services