Programs and Activities for Everyone!
Explore the many ways you can stay active and get more out of life. Almost every day, the Community Senior Center offers opportunities for games and crafts, outdoor activities, learning experiences, or just a chance to sit back and enjoy the company of others. There's plenty going on.
Find the Activities that You Enjoy - and Recommend New Ones.
Thanks to our members and program leaders, our list of year-round activities is always growing. Most of our activities actually come from ideas and requests of our participants.
If you have an idea for an activity or are interested in being a leader or instructor for one of that appeals to you, please send us a message through our Contact Form.
Outdoor Recreation
Nature Hikes:
Nature hikes for all ability levels help improve fitness and provide opportunities to make new friends. Our nearby trails range from easy paths along the Winooski to moderate forest trails and more rigorous routes like the annual hike to the top of Camel’s Hump.
Guide / Instructor: Yes
Equipment: Hiking shoes, backpack
Notes: Bring water, snacks
Fees: None
Walk and Talk
Join friends for a walk that’s more relaxed and easier than the hiking group’s pace. Chat without losing your breath and enjoy the company of friends or make new friends.
Guide: None
Equipment: Walking or running shoes
Notes: Water, snacks
Fees: None
Friendship Garden
Swap ideas and techniques and get your green thumb in action as you grow vegetables, flowers – and friendships - at our Friendship Garden in Richmond. Tend the plots in spring and summer, then share your fall harvest.
Guide / Instructor: No
Equipment: Bring yours or use ours
Notes: Refreshments and a chair
Fees: None. Optional donation
Pickleball
Beginners and seasoned players are welcome to this game that’s taken the country by storm. It’s slower-paced than tennis and more senior-friendly but so much fun that it’s now very popular among all age groups.
Guide / Instructor: CSC coordinator
Equipment: Game gear provided
Notes: Water, snacks, athletic shoes.
Fees: Optional donation
Lawn Games
Lawn bowling and Corn Hole provide opportunities for fresh air, mild exercise and some friendly competition. No problem if you’ve never played. Like all CSC activities, beginners are welcome and you’ll be on your game in no time with the help of fellow players.
Guide / Instructor: Everyone helps
Equipment: Game gear provided. Walking or running shoes
Notes: Water, snacks and a chair
Fees: None
Indoor Activities
The Community Senior Center offers a wide variety of indoor opportunities to explore and take up new arts and crafts, express your creativity, learn and play table games, and stay active while having fun and meeting new people with similar interests.
Mahjong
One of our most popular table games, Mahjong is not only fun to play but also can sharpen memory as players learn how to stay focused for long periods. It also provides a great opportunity for social interaction and making new friends. New to mahjong? Our seasoned players welcome beginners!
Leader / Instructor: Yes
Fees: None
Canasta, Cribbage and More
Like all CSC activities, beginners and players of all abilities fit right in with our canasta and cribbage groups. If you’re unfamiliar with the games, you can count on our activity leaders to provide the instructions that will get you comfortably into the fun. And you’ll enjoy the congenial spirit around the tables!
Leader / Instructor: Yes
Fees: None
Indoor Ice Skating
Get those skates out of storage or grab a pair at the nearby indoor rink where you can join us for some turns on the ice! Go at your own pace with a friendly group of skaters that have all different levels of experience.
Leader / Instructor: Experience required.
Equipment: Your skates or rentals.
Notes: Bring water, snacks.
Fees: Optional donation.
Needle Arts
Our needle arts group welcomes seniors who can work on their own projects, share ideas and get expert help. Bring your crochet, needlepoint, crewel, cross stitch or what have you and enjoy meeting friends with the same interests.
Leader / Instructor: Yes
Materials: Bring your own. Supplies available in some classes.
Fees: None
Weekly Coffee and Chat
Seniors meet every week in all three towns for a morning coffee, pastries and friendly, casual conversation. It’s a chance to catch up with friends on what’s new, and a great way to meet your neighbors if you’re a newcomer.
Leader / Instructor: Activity coordinator.
Notes: All refreshments are provided.
Fees: Optional donation.
Play reading
People gather twice each month to read plays aloud. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in award winning drama, think more deeply about the plays, and have fun.
Leader / Instructor: Yes
Fees: None
Pickle Ball
Pickle Ball has been adopted by two million people internationally, from grandparents to grandkids alike. Opponents play this easy-paced game on a court using a light wooden paddle to pop a hollow ball (think “Wiffle ball”) over a net and score points much like in ping-pong or tennis. Thanks to our members and our towns, we now have indoor and outdoor sites.
Instructor: Yes
Equipment: Provided
Notes: Loose clothing, athletic shoes and bring water
Fees: None
Bowling
Whether you’re experienced or would like to learn, our bowlers will welcome you for some fun, socializing and light exercise. Members will provide a few tips if you’re new to the game. You can choose to car pool, and time slots are usually scheduled weekly.
Guide / Instructor: We'll help you learn
Equipment: Shoes, balls available
Notes: Refreshments available on site
Fees: Optional donation for lanes, show rental
Corn Hole, Bocce
Our activity leaders bring these games indoors so you can enjoy the easy-going, fun competition and an opportunity to socialize when the weather turns cold. No experience needed!
Leader / Instructor: CSC Coordinator.
Equipment: Game gear provided.
Notes: Comfortable clothing.
Fees: None
Ukes R Us
Beginners learn to play the instrument from experienced strummers in this group that keeps on growing with newcomers. Meet for practice and fun sessions a few times a month, and create some smiles at outdoor gatherings, senior residences and other informal venues.
Leader / Instructor: Yes - experienced players.
Equipment: Beginners may borrow ukes to try out.
Notes: Bring snacks, water.
Fees: None
Table Tennis
Test your eye-hand coordination in a fast-moving game with our table tennis group. If you’re a rookie, we’ll help you hone your skills.
Leader / Instructor: CSC Coordinator.
Equipment: Gear provided.
Notes: Athletic shoes
Fees: None
Virtual Story Circle
This group meets weekly online to share life stories through a given prompt. Everyone has stories to tell, and it’s always interesting to hear those of others. Join us. There’s room for more.
Leader / Instructor: yes
Fee: no
Afternoon Tea Time
A nice hot cup of tea may just hit the spot. Come join us for tea and cookies, scones and other tea time treats. You can bring your own tea cup, if you wish.
Leader / instructor: yes
Fee: no
Learning and Enrichment
Uncover new interests, share your ideas, and learn more about area highlights and travel adventures with the Community Senior Center’s diverse array of seminars, presentations, ongoing classes and discussion groups.
Seminars and Presentations
Each year, the CSC hosts speakers who provide a wealth of experience and knowledge in interesting and relevant fields. Their presentations and seminars cover diverse topics from our area’s history, ecology and wildlife habitats to exotic travel, and specialized areas like personal safety and identity theft protection.
Leader / Instructor: Yes
Notes: Format varies - On-line and in person.
Fees: None
Foreign Language Conversation Groups
Sharpen your foreign language skills in conversation groups with other seniors, and share information on favorite travel destinations where you can improve your ability. French and Spanish have been popular, with groups meeting based on participant interest during the year.
Leader / Instructor: Yes
Fees: None
Memoir Writing Classes
Memoir writing classes show you how easy it is to capture memorable events, people and stories from your family’s past, as a lasting gift for future generations. Many of our seniors have found this to be a very rewarding activity, as have their family members with whom they share their memoirs.
Leader / Instructor: Yes.
Equipment: None required
Fees: None
General Writing – Online Group
These on-line sessions are for people who want to write for any reason. The leader’s prompts get things started, but there’s no strict path to follow. Participants can use the time to work on a specific project or just play around with free-flow writing on any topic, then reflect on what’s been written. It’s a safe, practical space to just enjoy the act of writing with a group of receptive participants.
Leader / Instructor: Yes.
Equipment: None required
Notes: Attendees limited; can wait-list.
Fees: None
Walking Tours of Area Highlights
The CSC coordinates visits to our area’s diverse points of interest where you can learn about our local businesses behind the scenes, visit commercial and private gardens, and explore historical highlights.
Leader: Yes
Notes: Walking shoes
Fees: Depends on facility, most are free
Art for Seniors
Get involved in creative activities. No experience necessary. The art exercises are designed for success as the teacher helps you explore a variety of media such as drawing, painting (acrylics and watercolors), printmaking, ceramics, wire, collage, paper making, pastels and more. Classes are designed to complete an activity within one 2 hour session, but you may be a regular and attend multiple ones and explore different media.
Leader / Instructor: yes
Fee: Suggested donation for supplies is $10 per week
Death Cafe
Death Cafe is offered in four sessions several times per year. A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. People gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. It’s offered in an accessible, respectful and confidential space and has no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action.
Leader / instructor: yes
Fee: no
Health and Wellness
Our many indoor and outdoor activities promote seniors’ well-being through social interaction, physical activity, learning opportunities, and games that help stay mentally sharp and engaged. In addition, the CSC coordinates these specific health and wellness activities that support a more active, fulfilling lifestyle.
Bone Builders
Bone Builders, a national osteoporosis reversal and prevention program, has become very popular since being added to the CSC’s programs. Developed by Tufts University, it combines exercises, nutritional information and support for all stages of osteoporosis. It has gained wide acceptance and respect for its effectiveness in increasing bone density and reversing osteoporosis’ effects.
Guide / Instructor: Yes
Equipment: None
Notes: Comfortable clothing; bring water
Fees: None
Feldenkrais Method
These gentle, verbally guided movement sequences help improve coordination, balance, flexibility, range of motion and comfort. Members of the class are guided by a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner ® with decades of experience in teaching this beneficial practice.
Guide / Instructor: Yes
Equipment: Available, or bring own
Notes: Comfortable clothing; bring water
Fees: No.
Weight Loss Support
Are you working on weight loss? Our on-line support group might provide some motivation and inspiration to help you make steady progress. Participants in this self-directed group don’t give advice, but find it more helpful to check in with each other on goals, intentions and steps they’re taking toward achieving them
Guide / Instructor: On-line coordinator.
Equipment: PC or desk-top with internet access.
Notes: Help available on how to join on-line.
Fees: None
Zumba Gold
We are having a great time dancing our way to fitness. This is a lower intensity version of Zumba that's designed for active seniors. Come work on your balance, coordination, and range of motion.
Leader / Instructor: yes
Fees: no
Line Dancing
Line dancing provides significant physical, mental, and social health benefits by acting as a low-impact, cardiovascular workout that improves balance, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. It strengthens muscles, increases flexibility, reduces stress, and combats loneliness by fostering community.
Leader / instructor: yes
Fees: no
Aquatic Therapy
Join us at The RehabGYM in Williston to use the pool and receive a session with an instructor in aquatic therapy, which helps with balance and strength. The pool is salt water and is at a temperature of 90-91 degrees.
Leader / Instructor: yes
Fee: Suggested donation is $10 per week
T'ai Chi
T'ai Chi is often described as meditation in motion. Join us as we develop our balance and grace in this Introduction to T’ai Chi. As we learn some of the basic movements, we can receive the benefits of T’ai Chi such as increased mental clarity and focus. T’ai Chi’s movements are slow, smooth and low-impact. Research shows that these movements can increase flexibility and range of motion and develop our calm mind.
Leader / Instructor: yes
Fees: no
Senior & Community Support
The Community Senior Center works not only to enrich our seniors’ lifestyles, but also supports several community events that have a positive impact on residents of all ages. In addition, we solicit and “brainstorm” ideas for ways we can fulfill important but unserved needs of our seniors. It’s all part of our commitment to connect with our towns as a vital, valued and contributing force.
Supporting Community Initiatives
We encourage our seniors to support initiatives that benefit individuals and families in our towns. Our volunteers distribute candy at Halloween, serve lunch at the annual Town Meetings, and lend a hand at the Friday Food Affair and other community events.
Foot Clinic
The CSC coordinates a foot clinic on a regular basis for seniors who need help managing foot care. Our volunteers work with individuals to schedule them for each clinic. Registered Nurses from our area perform the actual foot care, and CSC volunteers help with organizing supplies and foot soaking.
Activities at Home
CSC volunteers sometimes visit seniors in their homes and bring an activity of interest to share and get individuals engaged. This initiative provides social interaction with those who are unable to leave their home easily, and helps them avoid the stress associated with loneliness and isolation.
Video Programs
The Community Senior Center has compiled dozens of recordings of past programs that are available for viewing through these links to our YouTube and MMCTV sites. Presented by experts in their field and by area residents, the videos cover diverse travelogues and topics on history, gardening, animals, nature.
YouTube Video Programs
Our YouTube Videos
Mount Mansfield Community Television Recordings
Watch MMCTV Recordings