With summer coming to an end, local organizations have just published their program calendars and event schedules for the fall season. While we have traditionally created seasonal round-up blog posts of just youth programs, we are revamping this regular post to serve the wider community by including classes and programs for people of all ages. We hope you enjoy!
Organizations that offer regular classes & events
City of Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department – most of the City’s programs, classes, and events are offered through the Parks & Recreation Department, often with partnering organizations. For a comprehensive list of current and upcoming programs, visit the City’s Fall 2018 / Winter 2018 Recreation Guide.
Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC) – the SJCC offers a wide variety of classes and activities for participants of all ages, including an impressive annual line-up of Arts + Ideas performances, lectures, film showings, culinary events, and more. Visit the SJCC’s website to learn more.
Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club (MIBGC) – the local Boys & Girls Club serves youth from Kindergarten through 12th grade. In addition to offering before and after-school programs, MIBGC provides year-round sports programs that are “positive, fun, and help kids and teens develop a healthy, active lifestyle.” Visit the MIBGC’s website to learn more.
Mercer Island Library (Local branch of the King County Library System) – the Mercer Island Library offers programs for people of all ages. In addition to reading and literacy programs, the library offers educational programs, arts and music classes, and hosts special lectures on a broad range of topics. Visit the Mercer Island library website to learn more.
Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN) – Youth Theatre Northwest helps children and young adults, ages 3 to 18, to explore the depths of their creativity and to experience the thrill of live performance. Through the magic of theatre, YTN helps young people find their “inner light” of self-confidence, sensitivity, creativity, and leadership. Visit YTN’s website to learn more.
Classes & Activities by Category & Organization
Arts & Culture
Stroum Jewish Community Center
Youth
Adults
- Film Showings & Forums
- Concerts Series
- Theatre Performances
- Intriguing Authors & Conversations
- Comedy Shows
- Culinary Arts & Chef Demonstrations
City of Mercer Island
Youth
- Art classes (Young Rembrandts Drawing & Cartooning classes)
- Kids Culinary Arts & Cooking Classes
Adult
- Classics on Film series (this year’s theme is Chess Movies)
- French Impressionism Lecture
- Art Classes
- IdeaX Workshops at Mercer Island Library
Youth Theatre Northwest
Visit the Youth Theatre Northwest website >>
Aquatic Programs & Swimming Lessons
Mary Wayte Swimming Pool
- Swimming lessons for kids
- Aquatic programs for adults
Visit the Mary Wayte Swimming Pool website >>
Stroum Jewish Community Center
- Swimming lessons for kids
- Aquatic programs for adults
Athletics
City of Mercer Island
Youth
- Basketball Fundamentals
- Basketball Training with Fisher Sports Academy
- Disc Golf
- Dream Team Cheer Squad
- Paddling
- Soccer (Arena Sports Lil’ Kickers)
Adult
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Pickleball
- Flag Football
- Ping Pong
- Volleyball
Learn more in the Fall/Winter Recreation Guide >>
Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club
Youth Only
- Baseball / Little League
- Basketball
- Flag Football
- Parkour
- Tackle Football
- Soccer
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- Yoga
- Advanced Programming
Stroum Jewish Community Center
Youth
- Basketball (Dinky Dunkers)
- Dance
- Swimming
Adult
- Basketball
- Dance
- Softball
- Swimming
Computers & Games
City of Mercer Island
Youth
- Play-Well Teknologies LEGO classes
- Game Night (ages 7 – 16)
Adults
- Contract Bridge
Learn more in the Fall/Winter Recreation Guide >>
Stroum Jewish Community Center
- Minecraft Computer Class (2nd – 5th grade)
- Coding with Kids: Game Development (3rd – 5th grade)
- Little Coders: Pre-coding class (Kindergarten – 2nd grade)
Learn more at SJCC.org >>
Culinary Arts
Caruccio’s
- Cooking Classes & Demonstrations
- Food & Film nights
City of Mercer Island
- Cooking classes
Learn more in the Fall/Winter Recreation Guide >>
Stroum Jewish Community Center
- Creative cooking class (ages 3-4)
- Culinary Creations (1st – 5th grade)
- Chef demonstrations and culinary events for adults
Oh Chocolate!
- Chocolate making classes for kids & adults
Dance
City of Mercer Island
Youth Classes
- Pre-Ballet (ages 3 – 5)
- MUV Creative Productions (ages 4 – 11)
- Beginning Ballet (ages 6 – 10)
- Kicking it with Katy Dance Class (Specialized Recreation – ages 12+)
Adult Fitness Classes
- Dance Mixx by Jazzercise
- Aerobic Dance
Learn more in the Fall/Winter Recreation Guide >>
Stroum Jewish Community Center
Youth Classes
- Hip Hop Dance
Adult Classes
- Bollywood Dancing
- Zumba
Children’s Dance Conservatory / Island Youth Ballet (website)
Definitive Dance Studio (website)
Fitness
(see our My MI Fitness Guide)
Language
City of Mercer Island
- French (Intermediate & Advanced – Adult Classes)
Learn more in the Fall/Winter Recreation Guide >>
Literary Events
City of Mercer Island
- Beowulf – Epic Poetry & Reading & Study (Ages 18+)
Learn more in the Fall/Winter Recreation Guide >>
Island Books
- Storybook Corner
- Monthly Open Bookclub
- Author Readings & more!
Mercer Island Library
- Children’s Story Times
- Middle School Book Club
- Author Readings & more!
Martial Arts
City of Mercer Island – Tai Chi, Kendo & Naginata (Learn more in the Fall/Winter Recreation Guide)
Stroum Jewish Community Center – Tai Chi (Learn more at SJCC.org.)
Karate West (website)
Mercer Island Martial Arts (website)
Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios (website)
Nature, Outdoors & Scouting
City of Mercer Island in partnership with EarthCorps and Mountains to Sound Greenway organizations
- Forest Stewardship program (See pages 12 & 13 of the City’s Fall/Winter Recreation Guide)
Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts on Mercer Island (website)
Theatre
Youth Theatre Northwest (website)
And more!
We’ve covered a lot here, but we weren’t able to include everything! What are your favorite classes and activities on Mercer Island? Share with us in the comments!
