This class will teach and enhance skills involving handstands, cartwheels, one-arm cartwheels and bridges for both the very beginner and intermediate student. Intermediate students will also work on round-offs, backbend kick-overs, and front and back handsprings. Classes are taught with proper skill progression for the safety of the child and with enthusiasm and motivation – never intimidation. Children that are 5 years old must have started Kindergarten.

This class will include instruction on fly fishing rods and equipment, fly rod casting, line management, and casting techniques for the Smoky Mountains area. Fly rods provided.

Parks & Rec has partnered with Maryville Isshin-Ryu Karate School to offer the following classes to both youth and adults. MIKS was established in 1967 and is the oldest martial arts school in Blount County. It is accredited by the International Isshin-Ryu Karate Association. There are no contracts or hidden fees. Participants will learn effective self-defense, street fighting techniques, traditional kata, and much more.  Benefits include great workouts, stress management techniques, increased concentration, boosted confidence, flexibility, balance, discipline and respect. For more information, visit the school’s website at maryvilleisshinryu.com

Looking for a way to keep your kids active over the holiday break!? Join us for a Polar Palooza this holiday break as Stretch-N-Grow’s Fitness Star coaches host a 2 or 4 day REINDEER BOOTCAMP and NOON YEARS EVE GLOW PARTY!  This is sure to EXERcite your kiddos! Our days will be filled with holiday themed everything and a special themed New Years Eve party. There will be obstacle courses, races, crafts, games, treats, prizes, dancing, STEM, and a glow party! Your kids will come excited AND leave tired.  Children will be split into two age groups. Please send snacks and a sack lunch.

Parks & Rec. does not offer T-ball, baseball, or softball for youth, these sports are offered through area little leagues. Contacts and phone numbers for those organizations are listed below. Please watch for advertisements regarding registration in the Sports Section of The Daily Times and on social media.

⚬ Alcoa Youth Baseball for Boys and Girls Ages 4-12.  For more information, visit their website at https://www.alcoayouthsports.com/
‍
⚬ Maryville Little League for Boys and Girls Ages 4-16.  For more information, visit their web site at https://www.maryvillelittleleague.com/
‍
⚬ Outward Baseball and Softball for Boys and Girls Ages 4-13.  Click here for more information or call Shay Coker at 865-771-1911.

Policy for Reserving Practice Fields
‍
‍This policy pertains to Little League teams and all other teams not participating in the Parks & Rec Adult Softball League. Click here for Parks & Rec teams' policy.

Please remember that Parks & Rec allows area youth baseball/softball teams to use our fields as a courtesy, it is not something we have to do, so please be patient and courteous when calling. 

When calling, please note that there will be limited fields available due to the following:  

*Park & Rec programs take precedence over all other activities. 

*We have 45 soccer teams using fields at Pearson Springs, Springbrook, Amerine, and Sandy Springs from 5:30-7:30PM almost every night.   

*We also partner with area high school and middle school baseball/softball teams that use our fields after     school, so the earliest fields will be available is 5:30PM.  These schools allow us to use their facilities for our programs and we in exchange allow them to use our facilities for their programs.  

*Fields are also rented on the weekends for tournaments. 
‍
⚬ Reservations for practice fields are taken every Thursday, beginning March 13th through late August. Otherwise, fields are first come, first served unless being used by Parks & Rec programs such as football and soccer or other reasons stated above.

⚬ Teams should call 865-983-9244 at 10:00 a.m. so that everyone has the same opportunity. When you call at 10:00 a.m., your call will go into a queue and answered in the order is is received. If you call before 10:00 a.m., you will be asked to call back. Teams should appoint one person to call for reservations each week.

⚬ Please note that field reservations are taken by phone only. No walk-ins please.

⚬ When you call on Thursday, you will be reserving times for the following week (beginning the next day Friday through the following Thursday).

⚬ Teams can reserve one field per week for 1 1/2 hours (M-F) or 2 hours (Sat & Sun) according to availability.

⚬ Reservations are taken for the following fields: two at Everett Park, three at Sandy Springs Park (one being a small baseball field), one at Springbrook Park, two at Pearson Springs Park (available week-ends only) for Ages 12 & under., and two at Amerine Park.

⚬ Teams are encouraged to pick-up a Field Permit from the Parks & Rec Admin. Office to take with you to practice which shows you have the field reserved. Without your permit, you have no proof you have the field reserved!

*Instructor Chris Solomon is a retired music specialist and choir director from Texas. She and her husband Ron have directed many junior musicals together and operated their own children's theater in Texas before moving to East Tennessee. Both have also staffed our summer Performing Arts Camp.
‍
Did you get a guitar as a gift and want to learn how to play it, or have always wanted to learn this popular musical instrument? Bring your guitar and join us for this fun class.

Instructor Ron Solomon has been a professional actor, director, and children's theater founder in several states before moving to East Tennessee. He can often be seen in (or directing) productions at the Creative Theater in Pigeon Forge, in addition to teaching at our Performing Arts Camp. His wife, Chris is a retired music specialist and choir director from Texas. Together they have taught creative performing arts classes to kids of all ages.

Musical comedies involve singing, acting, and movement. Come learn the basics as we stage several scenes that always end in a song (of course)! You may discover a song you can use in a future audition!

Would you like to take better pictures with your digital camera but don’t know where to start? In this class, you’ll learn how to get the most out of your camera and take great photos of your favorite people and places. 

You’ll learn the answers to questions like:
• “What are all these buttons and settings on my camera and why should I use them?”
• “What is photo composition and why should I care?"
• “I took some great pictures! What’s the best way to put them online for everyone to see or print them and hang them on my wall?” 

Be sure to bring your camera to class. This isn’t a “listen to the teacher talk” class. We’ll be learning hands on. Class size is limited so sign up quickly!

Pizza, Pajama Party, Dancing, Holiday Crafts, Games and Competitions, Popcorn, Hot Cocoa, Holiday Movie.  BEST OF ALL...A VISIT FROM SANTA CLAUS!!