- Home
- Departments
- Parks & Recreation
- Activity Guide
Activity Guide
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Scholarships are available for Winona County residents to remove financial barriers to recreation. Qualifiers may receive 35% or 45% off of Lake Lodge and Bob Welch Aquatic Center memberships as well as most youth programs. To apply for the program, please complete the Scholarship Form and return it to the Parks and Recreation Office along with documentation of financial need. For more information call (507) 457-8258.
Scholarship Application on-line form
PROGRAM REFUND POLICY:
In the unfortunate event a participant needs to withdraw from a program (including but not limited to youth programs, swim lessons, adult programs, adult leagues), only those cancellations made (5) five business days prior to the start of the program will receive a refund, less a $5 cancellation fee. No changes or refunds will be given if less than (5) five business days prior to the start of the program, including for weather-related preferences.
Preschool Open Gym.....................................$25/household annual membership
New! Preschool open gym times at the ERC. These hours are specifically for youth ages 6 and under. Stop by the ERC this fall or winter to get those wiggles out. Preschool equipment, hoops, balls and scooters will be available for use during this time.
*Not a drop off program, caregivers must stay.
Ages: Open gym for those ages 6 and under
Dates: Select Saturday and/or Sundays each month
Saturday 10/18
Sunday 10/26
Saturday 11/8
Sunday 11/23
Saturday 12/6
Sunday 12/21
Saturday 1/10
Sunday 1/25
Time: Saturday 9:30am-11:30am, Sunday 2pm-4pm
Location: East Recreation Center
$25/household annual membership
Mini Adventures
$60 per session
Winter Session- STEM
Looking for a program that's both fun and educational? Our Pre-K STEM program is designed to spark a love for learning while building critical skills for the future. Through hand-on activities your child will develop confidence, teamwork and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Ages: 3-6
Dates: January 17, 24, 31
Time: 9am-10:30am
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: January 9
Fall Session- Art
In this Mini Adventure, participants will learn about Color Theory and explore the Elements of Art! We will use hands-on activities, crafts, and stories to discover how color schemes, shapes, lines, and more work together to make art. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of materials to find their inner artist.
Ages: 3-6
Dates: September 27, October 4, October 11
Time: 9am-10:30am
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: September 19
Winter Session- STEM
Looking for a program that's both fun and educational? Our Pre-K STEM program is designed to spark a love for learning while building critical skills for the future. Through hand-on activities your child will develop confidence, teamwork and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Ages: 3-6
Dates: January 17, 24, 31
Time: 9am-10:30am
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: January 9
To register for activities please go to our catalog
Youth Cooking.......................$60 per session
Is your child ready to whip up delicious and healthy meals? Our Youth Cooking program is the perfect place to start! We believe good food should be easy, affordable and fun to make! In this hands-on program, young chefs will learn to create budget-friendly meals, smart tips for cooking delicious food and easy to replicate with simple steps for tasty dishes they can make on their own. They'll gain essential life skills, boost their confidence in the kitchen and impress the whole family with their culinary creations. Limited space available, enroll your future chef today!
Ages: 10-16
Dates: Monday & Wednesday afternoons
November Session- November 10, 12, 17, 19
January session- January 12, 14, 19, 21
Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: the week before each session
E.P.I.C. Youth - Elementary...........................$25
Our EPIC program is now for elementary! If you’re between the ages of 7 and 10, prepare for an incredible journey designed just for you. This isn’t about learning; it’s about unlocking the superpowers you already possess. We will explore what it means to be empowered, discover the importance of strong principles, ignite imagination, and build the kind of confidence that helps you achieve anything you set your mind to. Buckle up, young adventurers- your EPIC story begins now!
Ages: 7-10
Dates: Monday & Wednesday
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: September 26
E.P.I.C Youth................................................................$45
What if you could truly become EPIC? Imagine being empowered to make a difference, standing strong on your principles, unlocking your wildest imaginations, and stepping forward with unshakeable confidence. If you’re between the ages of 11 and 14, prepare for an incredible journey designed just for you. This isn’t about learning; it’s about unlocking the superpowers you already possess. We will explore what it means to be empowered, discover the importance of strong principles, ignite imagination, and build the kind of confidence that helps you achieve anything you set your mind to. Buckle up, young adventurers- your EPIC story begins now!
Ages: 11-14
Dates: Monday & Wednesday September 29-December 10
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: September 26
At Home Alone Classes..............$10(8-10yrs)..........$15(11-13yrs)
Winona Park & Recreation's At Home Alone classes teach youth skills, safety and best practices as they stay home alone. These classes are designed for youth who may be staying at home alone for short periods of time. Skills like safe exit routes, kitchen safety and basic emergency preparedness will be covered. This class is not a babysitters training class.
Ages: 8-10, 11-13
Dates: Saturday September 27, October 18, November 15, January 10
Time: 8-10yrs 1-2pm, 11-13yrs 2:30-4pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: the Friday before the program
Youth Lego Building Contest.............$50 Individual Registration..............$65 Team Registration
Do you dream in bricks? Can you build anything you imagine? Then get ready for our Youth LEGO Building Contest! This is your chance to show off your amazing building skills and create something truly magical. Whether you build towering castles, super-fast rocket ships, or a fantastical world all your own, we want to see it! Bring your creativity and get ready for a fun, friendly competition and incredible LEGO creations. Fantastic prizes await the top builders! Let's build something INCREDIBLE
Date: Saturday January 17th
Youth Individual Competition 9am-10:30am, Youth Team (team of 2) Competition 11am-12:30pm
Individual Registration- $50 per registration, Team Registration- $ 65 per team registration
Location: East Recreation Center
Ages: 8-14
Mini Adventures..................................................................................................................................................$60 per session
January Session- Animal Tracks, Scats & Signs
The woods hold a secret language, written in mud, on bark and in snow. Most people walk past without ever knowing the story. Our program is your key to unlocking those hidden messages. Join us and become a wildlife detective, learning to read the silent clues left behind by the creatures that call the wilderness home.
Ages: 8-14
Dates: January 10, 17, 24
Time: 9am-12pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: January 2
To register for an activity please go to our catalog
Youth Cooking.......................$60 per session
Is your child ready to whip up delicious and healthy meals? Our Youth Cooking program is the perfect place to start! We believe good food should be easy, affordable and fun to make! In this hands-on program, young chefs will learn to create budget-friendly meals, smart tips for cooking delicious food and easy to replicate with simple steps for tasty dishes they can make on their own.
They'll gain essential life skills, boost their confidence in the kitchen and impress the whole family with their culinary creations. Limited space available, enroll your future chef today!
Ages: 10-16
Dates: Monday & Wednesday afternoons
October Session- October 6, 8, 13, 15, November Session- November 10, 12, 17, 19, January session- January 12, 14, 19, 21
Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: the week before each session
Youth Puzzle Competition...............................$50 per team*
Hey kids, do you love the satisfying click of a perfectly placed puzzle piece? Get ready to participate in the ultimate challenge with our youth puzzle competition. This event is all about focus, fun and the excitement of creating something amazing piece by piece. We'll provide the puzzles; you bring your best strategy and eagle eyes. Work carefully and quickly in teams of four and compete against friends and other puzzle lovers. This event is a wonderful opportunity to boost your concentration, practice-problem solving, and the experience of a friendly competition. Awesome prizes will be awarded to the fastest and most accurate puzzlers!
*Fee includes cost of puzzle and light snacks during event
Ages: 8-14 Teams of 4
Dates: November 6
Time: 4-6pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: October 22
L.I.T. (LEADERS IN TRAINING)
Ready to unlock your leadership potential? Our L.I.T. (leaders in training) program is your chance to gain the skills and confidence to really make a difference- in school, in sports and beyond! Learn from awesome mentors, team up with other motivated teens, and discover the leader you've got inside! Don't just follow the crowd, lead it! Participants will have the opportunity to gain lengthy and focused role model training and take on more responsibility as they plan and execute games, sports, arts, and educational activities with East Recreation Staff throughout this 11-week program. Program will also include resume building, cover letter creation and mock interview experiences. L.I.T. participants gain leadership skills and self-confidence as a reward along with a greater understanding and knowledge of Park & Recreation as a career.
Ages: 14-18
Dates: Tuesday & Thursday September 30-December 17
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: September 30
E.P.I.C. Youth................$45
What if you could truly become EPIC? Imagine being empowered to make a difference, standing strong on your principles, unlocking your wildest imaginations, and stepping forward with unshakeable confidence. If you’re between the ages of 11 and 14, prepare for an incredible journey designed just for you. This isn’t about learning; it’s about unlocking the superpowers you already possess. We will explore what it means to be empowered, discover the importance of strong principles, ignite imagination, and build the kind of confidence that helps you achieve anything you set your mind to. Buckle up, young adventurers- your EPIC story begins now!
Ages: 11-14
Dates: Monday & Wednesday September 29-December 10
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: September 26
At Home Alone Classes..............$10(8-10yrs)..........$15(11-13yrs)
Winona Park & Recreation's At Home Alone classes teach youth skills, safety and best practices as they stay home alone. These classes are designed for youth who may be staying at home alone for short periods of time. Skills like safe exit routes, kitchen safety and basic emergency preparedness will be covered. This class is not a babysitters training class.
Ages: 8-10, 11-13
Dates: Saturday September 27, October 18, November 15, January 10
Time: 8-10yrs 1-2pm, 11-13yrs 2:30-4pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Registration Closes: the Friday before the program
Youth Lego Building Contest.............$50 Individual Registration..............$65 Team Registration
Do you dream in bricks? Can you build anything you imagine? Then get ready for our Youth LEGO Building Contest! This is your chance to show off your amazing building skills and create something truly magical. Whether you build towering castles, super-fast rocket ships, or a fantastical world all your own, we want to see it! Bring your creativity and get ready for a fun, friendly competition and incredible LEGO creations. Fantastic prizes await the top builders! Let's build something INCREDIBLE
Date: Saturday January 17th
Youth Individual Competition 9am-10:30am, Youth Team (team of 2) Competition 11am-12:30pm
Individual Registration- $50 per registration, Team Registration- $ 65 per team registration
Location: East Recreation Center
Ages: 8-14
To register for an activity please go to our catalog
Adult Lego Building Contest................$60 Individual Registration.................$75 Team Registration
Unleash your Inner Master Builder! Think you still got the brick-building chops? It's time to prove it and join our LEGO Building contest. Transform your wildest ideas into brick-tastic masterpieces. This isn't just for kids- it's your chance to show off your creativity, precision and engineering genius. Whether you're a seasoned LEGO fan or just looking for a fun challenge get ready to compete for bragging rights and awesome prizes. Let your imagination stack up against the best. Ready to build your legacy?
Date: Saturday January 17th
Adult Individual Competition 9am-10:30am,
Adult Team (team of 2) Competition 11am-12:30pm
Individual Registration- $60 per registration, Team Registration- $ 75 per team registration
Location: East Recreation Center
Co-ed Volleyball
$200 per team
Ages: 18+
Dates: M/W/Th, September 8-December
Registration Period: July 14-August 27
Location: East Recreation Center
Basketball League
$390 per team
Ages: 18+
Dates: December 4-March 27
Games: 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
Registration Period: October 27-November 28
Location: East Recreation Center
Open Pickleball.................$15 Annual Membership or $2.00/day
Ages: 18+
Dates: Sundays
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Location: East Recreation Center
Indoor Walking.................$15 Annual Membership or $2.00/day
Ages: 18+
Dates: Tuesday
Time: 7:30-9:30pm
Location: East Recreation Center
COMMUNITY EVENTS - To register for an activity please go to our catalog
Thanksgiving Event
This Thanksgiving let's gather to connect, celebrate and strengthen the bond of our amazing community! Join us for our special Community Thanksgiving Dessert Celebration, where the sweetness of the season truly comes alive through our shared moments and delightful treats. We will have a variety of delicious desserts ready for you to enjoy. This is the perfect chance to connect with neighbors to share stories, laughter and build new friendships at the East Recreation Center, embrace the spirit of togetherness and celebrate all the things we are thankful for this season.
Ages: All ages
Dates: Thursday November 20
Time: 4-6pm
Location: East Recreation Center
Camp Indoors Day....................................................Free
Escape the cabin fever or winter blues and dive into an afternoon of pure fun with our Camp Indoors Day! Forget packing bags or battling bugs- we're bringing all the excitement of camping to you, at the East Recreation Center. We'll inspire you with ideas for awesome activities, DIY crafts, delicious "camp" snacks, spooky stories and plenty of laughter. Not a drop off program, caregivers must stay all youth age 10 and under.
Ages: All ages
Dates: Sunday January 18
Time: 3-5pm
Location: East Recreation Center
**New**
Birthday Party Packages at the ERC
Looking for fun and unique space for your next birthday celebration? The East Recreation Center is now booking birthday parties for Fall 2025-Winter 2026! Check out our party packages and book your next birthday party at the ERC today!
All party package options include a 3-hour block of time for the party (this includes set-up and tear down time) and access to facility kitchen, refrigerator and freezer during the party. Game room access package(s) include access to pool tables, air hockey table, and board game library. Gym access package(s) include access to a variety of equipment. Volleyball net or pickleball net can be set up upon request.
Package fees include up to 12 kids and the birthday child, parties larger than 12 will be charged $10 per child, no additional charge for adults.
Package Options:
Game Room Access Only................................................................ $120
Game Room & Gym Access................................................................ $180
Game Room & Gym Access, and two staff led activities from selected theme..................................................... $240
theme options include: Sports, Art or STEM
Please fill out this form and we will be in contact with you Birthday Party Form