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Enrichment Programs by BeTa Community Programs
Early Registration for Spring sessions begins January 17th
Early Registration for Summer sessions begins March 20th
Register for all classes here!
Instructor: Robin Ambrosino
Robin Ambrosino is a Master Gardener, grower, forager, arranger, and lifelong plant enthusiast. Gatherings began as a hobby that has morphed into her part-time joy job. Throughout the growing season, she hosts an honor-system flower stand at the end of her driveway on Daniels Road and offers bi-weekly bouquet subscriptions to individuals and local businesses.
Landscaping With Flowers 101
Spring is still a ways off, but if you’re already itching to spruce up your outdoor space, come learn the basics of planting a flower garden. Robin will help you choose the right plants for your light and soil conditions; prepare the soil for successful growth; and create a space with beautiful colors, textures, and foliage.
Ages: Ages 16+
Date: February 9, 2023
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Fees: City $45 / Non-City $65
Location: Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Ave Fees: City $45 / Non-City $65
Make a Succulent Planter
Succulents are beautiful, tough, and resilient plants. With the right soil, enough drainage, and bright light they can be grown inside and out. Robin will show inspirational photos of succulents in varied settings, and then participants will plant their own succulent garden to bring home.
Ages: Ages 16+
Date: March 9, 2023
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Fees: City $45 / Non-City $65
Location: Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Ave
Create a Fairy House
This is parent/child activity, not a Drop Off Program.
Making fairy houses is a fun way to get outside and use nature's bounty to build something creative and whimsical. And it's not just for kids! Join Robin to explore the surrounding area for building materials. This was one of her favorite activities when her kids were little — in the woods, at the beach, or in the backyard. Once you have the knack, you can build fairy houses anywhere at any age! Parent / guardian must accompany child.
Ages: 3-4 yrs
Date: April 18, 2023
Time: 1-2:30pm
Fees: City $25 / Non-City $35
Location: Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Ave
*Meet at recreation center and walk to Greenfield Cemetery
Ages: 5-10 yrs
Date: April 18, 2023
Time: 6-7:30pm
Fees: City $25 / Non-City $35
Location: Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Ave
*Meet at recreation center and walk to Greenfield Cemetery
Celebrate Spring Wreath Workshop
Create an early spring wreath with Robin. Participants will bend long, wiry vines gathered from the woods into wreath shapes and then adorn them with fresh and dried flowers for some gorgeous pops of color. Come celebrate the beginning of spring – the season we’ve been waiting for!
Ages: 8+
Date: April 27, 2023
Time: 6-7:30pm
Fees: City $45 / Non-City $65
Location: Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Ave
Mother's Day: Create a Succulent Planter
Mother’s Day is coming! Let's have a planting party and create a festive succulent garden to give as a gift or keep for yourself! Robin Ambrosino of Gathering Wildcrafted Botanicals will show some inspirational photos of succulent planters, and then participants will make their own. Course fee covers all supplies, including container, soil, stones, ribbon, and other decorations. One succulent will be provided per person, and additional plants will be available on-site to purchase.
Ages: ANY (under 12 must have an adult)
Date: May 11, 2023
Time: 6-7:30pm
Fees: 16+ City $45 / Non-City $65
Kids Under 16 City $25 / Non-City $35
Location: Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Ave
Instructor: Anna Knapp
Anna Knapp is an urban beekeeper in Saratoga Springs. She enjoys working with kids and adults to help expand knowledge and appreciation of honey bees. Anna is currently enrolled in Cornell University’s Master Beekeeper Programs
So You Wanna BEE a Beekeeper? Introduction to Beekeeping
Have you ever considered keeping honey bees but don’t know where to begin? Early spring is a great time to learn the basics of beekeeping and prepare for your first hive. This 90-minute session with local beekeeper, Anna Knapp, is geared towards beginners and those curious about what beekeeping entails. Future classes covering practical beekeeping may be offered based on interest. Highlights of the class include: Considerations and benefits of beekeeping, Setting up your bee yard, Where to obtain bees, Costs of beekeeping, Mentorship and resources. Instructor will bring basic equipment and safety gear to demonstrate. (No live bees)
Ages: All ages (under 12 must have an adult)
Date: March 29, 2023
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Fees: City $45 / Non-City $65
Location: Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Ave
Instructor: Pilar Mittler
Born in Mexico City, Pilar Mittler moved to Saratoga Springs in 2020 with her husband and two children. While her degree is in Business Administration, she has a strong passion for her rich heritage and culture and is currently teaching Spanish at the elementary level in Saratoga Springs. Pilar looks forward to sharing ‘all things Mexican’ from language lessons to traditional Mexican customs and foods in her six week cultural series
Preschool Spanish Language & Culture
Join Señora Pilar Mittler for beginner Spanish language and culture class for preschoolers. This will be a fun energetic class that introduces the Spanish language with movement, songs, stories and hands-on activities. Students will also be exposed to Spanish and Mexican culture including holidays, food and traditions.
Ages: 3-5
Spring Session 1 Dates: Feb 28 - Apr 4
Spring Session 1 Time: Tuesdays 9:30-10:15 am
Spring Session 2 Dates: Mar 1 - Apr 5
Spring Session 2 Time: Wednesdays 9:30-10:15 am
Summer Session 1 Dates: May 2-June 6
Summer Session 1 Time: Tuesdays 9:30-10:15 am
Summer Session 2 Dates: May 3-June 7
Summer Session 2 Time: Wednesdays 9:30-10:15 am
Fees: City $90 / Non-City $110
Location: Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Ave
Grade School Spanish Language & Culture for Kids
Join Señora Pilar Mittler for beginner Spanish language and culture class. For each session, she plans to emphasize basic language themes while also presenting new and fun topics including holidays, foods and traditions.