Parks and Rec sets fall program lineup

The fall programs for the Darien Parks and Recreation Department are:

Youth

Little Scientists: Little Scientists is a "hands-on approach" to learning about the world of science. Little Scientist teachers follow an eight-week curriculum with a range of topics, including Why the Sky is Blue, Magical Magnets, and the Forces of Gravity. Classes meet each Tuesday in Room 119 of Town Hall starting Oct. 9 and continuing through Dec. 4. Children 4 and 5 years of age meet from 3 to 3:45 p.m., those ages 5 and 6 will meet from 4 to 4:45 p.m., and ages 6 to 8 will meet from 5 to 5:45 p.m. The fee is $155 for Darien residents; $186 for nonresidents.

Future Stars Basketball: Future Stars Basketball Academy will be offering an instructional program for boys and girls ages 5 to 10 on Thursday afternoons from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Darien Town Hall gymnasium. This program will meet for eight weeks from Oct. 18 through Dec. 13. The fee is $215 for Darien residents and $258 for non-residents. The program will include Future Stars' "Lessons of Life" educational program and will be run by former college star and NBA player Frank Oleynick.

Junior Paddle Tennis Lessons: These clinics are an introduction to the game of paddle tennis. Clinics will use fun drills and games to teach participants the rules and strategies of paddle tennis. Paddles will be provided or participants may use their own. Clinics will run at Weed Beach for eight weeks on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday, and Saturdays for two age groups: 7 to 10 and 11 -to 14. The fee is $215 for Darien residents and $258 for nonresidents.

Adults

Adult Paddle Tennis Lessons: Buddy Scudder, certified platform tennis professional, will be offering adult clinics at Weed Beach. Instruction will focus on stroke production, strategy and teamwork with a mixture of high intensity drills, point-situation drills, technique work and match play. Clinics will run for eight weeks starting Oct. 15 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday. The fee is $320 for Darien residents and $384 for nonresidents for the 90-minute clinics. Three-hour "tune-up camps" will be offered in early October for $90 per resident; $109 per nonresident at Weed Beach. A free clinic will also be offered on Saturday, Oct. 13t, from 3 to 5 p.m. Preregistration is required.

Registration for programs takes place online at www.darienct.gov/parkrec, at the Parks and Recreation office in Town Hall, or through the mail. For information, call 203-656-7325.