The Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission is offering a variety of programs and activities in the upcoming months for all ages. Pre-registration and prepayment is required for all classes at the office, 2101 Fifth Ave., Altoona, 16602. For more information, call 949-2231. The programs are as follows:
* Line dancing will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays from March 5 to April 9 at the Booker T. Washington Community Center, 1010 19th St., for ages 55 and older. Participants will focus on the basic skills of dance. Various types of music will be included, such as oldies, Irish, easy listening, country, gospel and hip-hop. Cost is $25. The registration deadline is March 2.
* Robertson's Golden Fitness Camp will be held from 10:15 to 11 a.m. weekdays from Feb. 23 through March 20 at the BTW Community Center. This four-week program will feature the instruction of John Robertson, local coach/trainer and member of Blair County Sports Hall of Fame. This class is appropriate for all adult ages and skill levels. The fitness program is designed to adapt to every person's specific fitness levels and exercise needs. Cost is $20. The registration deadline is Feb. 20. For specific information regarding the training session, call Robertson at 942-2808.
* Strong Women: A Strength Training Pro-gram for Women will hold an informational meeting at 1 p.m. Feb. 2 at the East Juniata Community Center. The program will be held Mondays and Wednesdays at the EJCC starting Feb. 18 through April 15. The cost is $45. Registration forms will be distributed at the organizational meeting.
* Basketball Skills for the Junior Hoopsters is an instructional program for children in first grade. This program will teach the fundamentals of basketball to help children to enter our second and third grade instructional basketball program. The program will be held Saturday mornings at the BTW Community Center and continue for seven weeks. Each session will last 45 minutes. The first three weeks will be teaching fundamentals of the game. Games will be held weeks four through seven. The baskets will be lowered to accommodate the skills of the children. Detailed flyers have been distributed through the elementary schools. Cost is $35, includes T-shirt and certificate of participation. The registration deadline is Jan. 29. An organizational meeting will be held Jan. 31 at the BTW Community Center. For the times, call 949-2231.
* Instructional Sports Clinic for Children Ages 4-6 is an instructional clinic for beginners, to teach them the fundamentals of baseball, basketball and soccer. The clinic will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays from April 18 to May 9 at the 6th Ward Community Center, 2101 Fifth Ave. The clinic will also teach sportsmanship, basic skills, team work and proper warm up and cool down activities. Cost is $25. The registration deadline is April 16.
* Half-Pint Skillastics introduces pre-schoolers (ages 3-5) to a variety of movement skills as well as encouraging creativity and imagination in a non-competitive but active environment. This class also promotes color, number and shape recognition helping to solidify these skills prior to entering grade school. It all happens on the move, featuring 36 fun drills set to music. The cost is $25 and classes will take place on Saturdays, beginning April 18 through May 9. Registration The registration deadline is April 16.
* Robertson's Fitness Camp runs for six weeks under the direction of John Robertson. The camp runs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. weekdays from April 27 to June 5 at the 6th Ward Center. The cost is $1 per day. The class is appropriate for the beginner or experienced. Preregistration is not necessary
* Children's Self Defense is for grades three through six and will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays from May 2 to 23 at the Progressive Martial Arts System. This four-week introductory program will teach the fundamentals necessary to develop self confidence and to stop being bullied or being a victim on the playground. The class introduces children to a variety of martial arts skills while emphasizing the importance of physical fitness. The class is instructed by Rocco Alianello. Cost is $40. The registration deadline is April 30.
* Line dancing will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the BTW Community Center from March 25 to April 29. Participants will learn dances to all music types, including waltz, easy listening, oldies, Irish, Latin, country, cha-cha, hip-hop, Charleston, stroll, gospel, rock 'n' roll, hula, hustle and more. Instructor is Julie Paige. Cost is $35. The registration deadline is March 23.
* Vegetable & Flower Gardening will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays from March 24 to April 14 at the Ebner Elementary School. The four-session evening vegetable and flower gardening series is hosted by Penn State master gardeners Pat Trimble and Bernice Cellini. Topics include site preparation, varietal selection, nutrient management, maintenance and insect and disease control. Participants will receive a reference packet containing some of Penn State Cooperative Extension's most up-to-date publications. Cost is $20. The registration deadline is March 20.
* Swim lessons for children will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Altoona Area High School pool. Group A will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Group B will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. The first session will be from March 5 to 31, and the second session will be from April 7 to 30. Maximum is 18 participants per group. Cost is $50 per session.
* Learn to Skate Classes for all ages will be held at Galactic Ice. Class A will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24 and March 3, 17, 24 and 31. Class B will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 21 and 28, March 21 and 28 and April 4 and 11. Each session will include a half hour of instruction and a half hour of practice. Cost is $45. Registrations will be accepted at the Rec Office. For more information, call Galactic Ice at 942-7500.
* Tennis Camp is a six-week instructional clinic that will be held Saturdays from Feb. 21 through March 28 at ProCare Health Systems Inc., 3200 Fairway Drive, Altoona. Ages 4-6 will meet from 11 a.m. to noon, ages 7-10 will meet from noon to 1 p.m. and ages 11-14 will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. The clinic will focus on the fundamentals of tennis. Participants will use the newest training aids. Cost is $50. Register at the Rec Office by Feb. 19.
* Intro to Juggling is being offered to help participants learn the art of juggling which helps improve a person's hand-eye coordination. This clinic is being instructed by Bob Nickerson, ''The Jock-ular Juggler' and Lucy Nickerson from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 17 to March 24 at the 6th Ward Community Center for ages 12 and older. Cost is $35. Register by Feb. 13.
* Cartoon & 3-D Drawing for ages 8-14 will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 19 to March 26 at Juniata Elementary School. This six-week program will teach students basic 3-D art techniques. It will focus on skills needed in developing cartoon-like drawings. Students are required to take two pencils with erasers to each class. Instructor is Tony Greiner. Class size is limited to 10. Cost is $40. The registration deadline is Feb. 16.
* Yoga for Kids Ages 5-11 will be held from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 24 to March 31 at the 6th Ward Community Center. Yoga improves focus, strength and overall wellness. Parents are welcome. Cost is $36. The deadline to register is Feb. 20. For more information, call Katy Kolasa, the instructor, at 948-2815.
* Yoga for Ages 12 to Adult also takes place from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 24 to March 31 at the 6th Ward Community Center. Various postures, breathing techniques and soothing music are used to create a centered and therapeutic practice. This program is designed for beginner and intermediate students. Cost is $48. The registration deadline is Feb. 20. For more information, call Katy Kolasa at 948-2815.
* Restorative Yoga for Ages 14 to Adult is being offered from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 24 to March 31 at the 6th Ward Community Center. Cost is $48. The registration deadline is Feb. 20. For more information, call Katy Kolasa at 948-2815.
* Introduction to Journalism & Communications for Grades 5-8 will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 26 to April 2 in Room 210 of the Altoona Area Junior High School. Exercises will introduce participants to proper news coverage and mock newscasts will enhance working knowledge of broadcast media. The class is being led by Jonathan Klingeman, English/communications teacher at the AAJHS. The cost is $30. The registration deadline is Feb. 23.
* Magic for Ages 7-14 will be taught from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 17 to March 24 at Juniata Elementary School. Students enrolling in this class, taught by Tony Greiner, will learn basic card and coin tricks, as well as stage work, performing style and showmanship. Cost is $40. The registration deadline is Feb. 13.
* Theatre Workshop is a six-week interactive class for children in grades three through eight. It will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 10 to March 19 at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. It will teach the fundamentals of theater through fun activities, games and scene study. Topics will include improvisational skills, character development, state directions and basic understanding of what it takes to perform in a production. Cost is $45. Register by Feb. 6. No experience is necessary.
* Horse Sense for Ages 8 - 12 will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 19 to March 26 at the 6th Ward Community Center. Classes for ages 13 to adult will be from 7 to 8 p.m. This course offers interactive lessons for horse lovers and those who may wish to buy a horse. It will include a field trip to Look of Eagles Stables, Bellwood. Topics include identifying breeds, choosing the right horse, basic costs and care, health problems and how horses think. Instructor is Patricia McConnell. Cost is $35. The registration deadline is Feb. 13.
* Drawing in Pen & Ink is being offered for ages 14 and older from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays from March 23 to April 27 at the Altoona Area Junior High School. The class will consist of a brief introduction to drawing for those who have never taken art lessons. This will give everyone a chance to understand the principles of using a series of lines to create a finished drawing. Cost is $50. A list of needed materials will be given at registration. Deadline to register is March 19.
* Painting with Acrylics: ''The Landscape' will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays from March 25 to April 29 at Altoona Area Junior High School. In this program, taught by Marilyn Shaw, participants ages 14 and older will study how to express the form and shape of the landscape by using a series of lines, light and shadow, with color. Participants should take a photo or picture to use as a basis for their complete painting(s). Cost is $50. A list of needed materials (not included in the cost) will be given at registration. The registration deadline is March 20.
* Introduction to Computer Essentials for Ages 13 and Older will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 24 to March 31 in Room 210 at Altoona Area Junior High School. Participants will learn the basics of operating computers, word processing, spreadsheets and the Internet. No prior knowledge in computers is necessary. The class will be led by Jonathan Klingeman, English/communications teacher at AAJHS. The cost is $40. The registration deadline is Feb. 20.
* The Rec Commission and the Blair County Community Action Agency will hold their first Easter Egg Hunt from 11 a.m. to noon April 11 at Vets Field (24th Street and Maple Avenue.) This free event is for children ages 12 and younger. Take your own basket or bag for collecting eggs.
* Rentals for pavilions at Highland Park and Leopold Park are available on a daily basis. The cost is $60 per day. The parks officially open May 15 and close Oct. 11. In order to insure your reservation, total payment must be received two weeks prior to the reserved date. Alcoholic beverages and live music are not permitted. Call 949-2231 for more information and to schedule a pavilion.
* Reservations for gym time or parties at the 6th Ward, Booker T. Washington and East Juniata Community Centers are being accepted. Gym rentals are $25 per hour, and party rentals are $35 per hour. Call 949-2231 for more information.
* The Rec Commission recently installed batting cages at the East Juniata Community Center. Reservations will be taken from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for $25 per hour (includes pitching machine). Call the Rec Office for weekend availability at 949-2231.
* Information about volleyball and cheerleading programs will be sent home through the AASD elementary schools. Volleyball begins in April. Baton and cheerleading will begin in March.
