The Darien Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs for the residents of Darien. Registration for programs takes place online, at the Parks and Recreation office located in Town Hall, or through the mail.
For more information please call the office at 203-656-7325.
FAMILY PROGRAMS
Safe Boating Classes: Boat Safe Connecticut, LLC comes to Darien to offer this eight hour course that will meet the requirements to obtain a Connecticut Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation with Waterski endorsement from the CT DEEP. Our first class will meet on Saturday, June 16th from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM at Weed Bach while the second class will be held on Tuesday, July 10th and Thursday, July 12th from 6 – 10 PM at the Darien Town Hall. An easy to understand classroom format is designed for students age 12 and over. The fee for this program is $90/Darien resident; $108/non-resident. Pre-registration is required. All class materials will be provided.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Guitar Lessons: Want to be the next American Idol? Now’s your chance to get a start! Learn chords, scales, theory and, best of all, learn to play your favorite songs!! Classes meet each Wednesday in the Mather Center starting June 27th through August 8th. Beginners meet from 4:15 – 5:15 PM while intermediates meet from 5:15 – 6:15 PM. This program is for children ages 8 – 15. The fee for this program is $185/Darien resident; $222/non-resident.
Drum Lessons: Want to rock out on the drums? All the basics are covered to help you begin your drumming journey. Not only will you learn proper technique and how to read rhythmic notation, but you will also learn how to play cool rock beats and fills. Students will rotate between playing drum pads, bongos, snare drum and drum set. Drum sticks and practice pads will be provided for all students. Classes meet each Thursday at Sound City Music in Stamford starting June 28th through August 2nd. These lessons are for intermediate drummers and meet from 5 – 6PM. This program is for children ages 8 – 15. The fee for this program is $200/Darien resident; $240/non-resident.
Pee Wee Tennis Lessons: These lessons are intended to teach children the game of tennis while using fun drills and age appropriate games. Classes for ages 3 & 4 meet on Saturdays from 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM, Tuesdays from Noon – 12:45 PM and Wednesdays from 12:45 – 1:30 PM. Classes for ages 4 & 5 meet on Saturdays from 12:15 – 1 PM, Tuesdays from 12:45 – 1:30 PM and Wednesdays from Noon – 12:45 PM. Saturday classes will meet at Weed Beach while weekday classes meet at Darien High School. Lessons meet from June 26th – August 22nd for eight sessions. Program fee is $125/Darien resident; $150/non-resident.
Blue Wave Kickers Soccer Academy: This Academy will be run by Jon Bradley, Head Boys Varsity soccer coach at Darien High School and DSA Coaching Director. The BWK Soccer Academy program offers players the chance to further develop their skill set and game more experience playing soccer… all in a safe and fun environment. The sessions will consist of 30 minutes skill training and 30 minutes playing. Boys & girls are divided into separate groups. This program will meet on seven Saturdays from June 23rd – August 4th from 9:30 – 10:30 AM at the Darien Town Hall fields. Program fee is $155/Darien resident; $186/non-resident.
Youth Golf Lessons: Clinics are held at Oak Hills Golf Course on Fillow Street in Norwalk (just over the Darien line). These clinics are designed to introduce junior golfers to the game of golf using the correct fundamentals and cover putting, chipping, pitching, bunker play and the full swing. The rules of golf and etiquette will be discussed as well. Juniors (ages 8 – 14) of all abilities are welcome.
These lessons are taught by PGA Certified Professional Paul Alexander and will meet Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 – 5:30 PM or Saturday afternoons from 3 – 4PM for five weeks starting June 27th. Program fee is $150/Darien resident; $180/non-resident.
YOUTH CAMPS
Blue Wave Kickers International Pro Soccer Clinic – The International Pro Soccer Clinic is for players ages 5 – 18 (players divided by age). This clinic will be led by DHS boys varsity coach Jon Bradley along with current and former international professional players and coaches on Friday, June 22nd from 10am – 3pm at the Town Hall fields. We have 2 female players from the Italian Champions Juventus coming to be guests at this one day soccer opportunity. This clinic will allow players to sharpen their game with this unique and special approach. It is designed to help players achieve a higher level of technical proficiency and ball-handling creativity and learn things to sharpen their game. The day will end with a world cup style tournament. Space is limited! All players must bring lunch. Participants of this clinic will receive a soccer ball and t-shirt. Clinic fee is $110/Darien resident; $132/non-resident.
Blue Wave Kickers Soccer Camps: Focus of these camps will be on skill improvement and FUN! Jon Bradley, head coach of the DHS boys varsity soccer team, will direct these camps for youth ages 3 – 15. Camps will be held at the Darien Town Hall fields the weeks of June 25th, July 9th, July 23rd, August 6th, and 20th. Participants of these camps will receive a soccer ball and t-shirt. Please check the website for more specific ages, times, and fees.
All Star FC Soccer Camps: These camps for children ages 3 – 12 will be directed by Leigh Parsons, Darien High School’s girls soccer coach. These camps will begin with stations specifically designed to improve all aspects of a soccer player’s game and end with scrimmages to practice the skills & techniques they have learned. Camps will be held at the Darien Town Hall fields the weeks July 2nd, July 16th, July 30th, August 13th. We will also provide a 3-day camp August 27th – 29th for ages 5 – 8. Please check the website for more specific ages, times, and fees.
New Level Tennis Camps: Summer tennis camps are a great opportunity for participants to learn the game of tennis and have a great time. Camps meet from 9 AM – Noon at Darien High School in one-week increments starting June 25th through the week of August 20th. The fee for one week of tennis camp is $195/Darien resident; $234/non-resident. These camps are offered for children between the ages of 6 – 15 and participants will be grouped by age and level.
Flag Football Camp: Emphasis of this camp (for ages 6 – 12) is placed on rules, teamwork, and fair PLAY. Games and scrimmages occupy the majority of the camp day. Camp meets from 9 AM – Noon at Cherry Lawn Park the weeks of June 25th & July 23rd. The fee for one week of flag football camp is $210/Darien resident; $252/non-resident. This camp is offered by Overtime Athletics and is geared towards beginner football players.
Future Stars Basketball Camp: These camps, for children ages 5 – 12, stresses excellence, education, practice, and discipline . . . all in a fun-filled environment. Camp will meet the week of June 25th and July 16th at the Darien Town Hall. Camp hours are 9 AM – Noon. The educational “Lessons of Life” program is included in this camp & each participant will receive a Future Stars jersey. The camp fee is $180/Darien resident; $216/non-resident.
Overtime Athletics Sports Camp: This variety sports camp for children ages 5 – 12 includes instruction in the fundamentals of traditional sports as well as utilizing Overtime Athletics signature curriculum incorporating non-traditional sports. Camp meets from 9 AM – Noon at Darien Town Hall the weeks of July 30th and August 13th. The fee for this one week of camp is $165/Darien resident; $198/non-resident.
Horsemanship Camps: Mead Farm (Stamford) and Darien Parks and Recreation will be offering group camps for youth ages 5-14. Each camp includes riding, horse care, and stable management. This program is designed for riders who did not attend the 2017 Horsemanship Camps at Mead Farm. One-week camps run through mid-August starting the week of June 25th from 8 AM – Noon for ages 7 – 14 and from 1 – 4PM for ages 5 – 6. Camp fee is $700/Darien resident; $800/non-resident for ages 7 – 14 and $600/Darien resident; $700/non-resident for ages 5 – 6.
Techstars Technology Camps: TechStars by Computer Explorers are a series of technology classes designed to facilitate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning. The educational materials and equipment that is used in the curriculum came from various sources like Lego Education, MIT Media Lab who emphasize STEM education and 21st Century Skills. But most importantly, the classes provide a hands-on educational setting to make learning FUN! All camps run from 8:45 – 11:45 AM, Monday – Thursday at the Darien Town Hall. Lego in Motion (ages 6 – 9) will be held the week of June 25th, Minecraft Space Adventure (ages 7 – 10) meets the week of July 23rd, Lego Robotics (ages 6 – 9) meets the week of July 30th and Coding in Minecraft (ages 7 – 10) is held the week of August 6th. Camp fee is $245/resident; $294/non-resident.
Rock Out Music Camp: This music camp is for aspiring musicians, ages 8-15 who want to learn to play in a rock band! Beginner students will learn the basics of their instrument while more experienced musicians will have opportunity to fine tune their skills and get to the next level.
Weekly camp meets from 9 AM – Noon at the First Congregational Church the weeks of June 25th – August 6th. The fee for this one week of camp is $410/Darien resident; $492/non-resident.
Rugby Camp: Challenger Sports is now proud to present Rugby camp! Challenger Sports will provide an age appropriate week-long training program combining the right blend of technical, tactical and physical training, coached by our hand-picked rugby coaches from the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Each player will receive a rugby ball, T-shirt and written evaluation from our Challenger coach outlining those areas which the player can develop to improve their game over the coming season. Please have your child bring a snack for break. Camp is for children ages 6 – 9 and 10 – 13. Camp meets from 9 AM – Noon at Cherry Lawn Park the week of July 7th. The fee for this one week of camp is $210/Darien resident; $252/non-resident.