MSCR (Madison Community Recreation Department) Not Just For Kids!

The Madison Community Recreation Department (MSCR) www.mscr.org is a great place for people 50+ to expand your world, make friends and learn new skills, all at a reasonable cost.

The programs and classes are open to everyone,
(If you live outside the Madison Metropolitan School District the course are available at a slightly increased cost.)

MSCR offers a whole smorgasbord of fitness classes in the Goodman 50+ Stay Active and Alive Program, ranging from pilates and tai chi to belly dancing; golf, tennis, stretching, nature walks, bird walks, history walks --all kinds of fitness classes to help you incorportate more activity into your life.

Research shows that one of the best ways to retain mental abilities is to do some form of physical activity for a half hour 3 times a week. These programs help you achieve that goal, and meet interesting people too.


Team Sports? For those who enjoy team sports they sponsor adult vollyball, baseball, softball, golf and tennis leagues.

Artistic? Always wanted to learn to draw? Paint? Digital photography? Throw pots?

They offer all those classes, and for pottery there is a chance to fire your pots in a wood fired kiln, where you join others in keeping a woodfire kiln going for 14 hours to create the magic that makes art.

Love plays? They have bus trips where you can join others traveling to theatres in the surrounding area to see great shows like the Lion King.

Grandkids? Want to learn with your grandchildren? They offer intergenerational classes.

Give back? Volunteer? They also have many opportunities if you want to get involved and become a Friend of MSCR- You can learn to drive a pontoon boat, help a child with a disability exercise, tutor a middle school child, or get involved in helping to offer all these great programs.

You can even enroll online, just go to their online catalog www.mscr.org

Classes for spring and summer are enrolling now.

It is always better to sign up early so that there are enough participants for a class to be held.

Always Wanted to Volunteer Somewhere? But Don't Know Where to Start?

RSVP of Dane County is celebrating their 35th anniversary this year, yet it is one of the best kept secrets in our area. Who are they? What do they do?

RSVP is your answer
for responding to our community's invitation to care and contribute.

What is RSVP?

• A community of committed people who are choosing to respond to the needs of our county.
• One of the largest volunteer placement agencies in the country
• Experts who can guide you in making the best use of your talents
  

With RSVP’s expertise and guidance over 2000 people in Dane County are choosing to use their skills, stay engaged and give back to the children, families, and older people in our local world

RSVP has relationships with 90 non-profit groups in the area and runs many different programs here is just a small sampling of what they have available:

Always wanted to work with kids? They sponsor a variety of opportunities including:

• New program working with teens and computers!
• Foster Grandparents in the schools
• Tutoring and mentoring
• Virtual volunteering -be an email pen pal

How about working with adults? Again they have a wealth of opportunities just waiting for you.

• Literacy tutoring
• Environmental programs
• Habitat for Humanity
• Food shelters
• Folk art fairs

Maybe you think you would be most effective working with with older people- they can show you how.

• Drive someone to an appointment
• In home safety
• Senior Centers
• Nutrition Programs
• Deliver Meals

Are you a people person who likes to work in a group, have a craft ?

• Knitting circles
• Sewing circles
• Other crafts

They have long term, short term, and even one day projects to match your needs and time you want to devote to volunteering.

They offer insurance coverage for all volunteers and reimbursement for mileage.

So if you have always wanted to volunteer but not sure where or how--RSVP will translate your desire to contribute into effective action and offers opportunities for significant service and satisfaction.

How do they do it?

• Make an appointment and meet with Jan Karst for individualized volunteer placement which is similar to job placement
• She gathers information about your needs, interests, abilities talents and what you hope to achieve
• Choose a couple of opportunities to explore
• She will accompany you to the agency and introduce you to the people you are working with- you don't have to walk into the room alone!
• And if you have a special talent or interest she will work with the over 90 non-profit agencies and create a customized experience for you!

RSVP helps you find your volunteer niche, where you will do the most good and derive the maximum amount of satisfaction from your volunteer experience.

Research shows that those who give back and stay engaged and involved live happier longer lives. The best way to keep your brain cells growing is learning new things and taking on new experiences and challenges. Use your talents and skills. Make new friends while making a difference.

So another secret about volunteering is that it is as good for you as it is for the people you are helping.

So what are you waiting for?

Dane County is calling, call RSVP and find your way to respond!

For more information check out http://www.rsvpdane.org/ or call: 608.238.7787