Community Events and Programs

Challenge yourself to spend 100 hours outside this summer! Stop by the Island Rec Office or download your tracking sheet and spend 100 hours outside. When you complete the form, bring it back to Island Rec to pick up your prize.
Virtual- register any time during the summer

June 1 – Aug 31
All Ages- Free!

All activities taught through Alchemy Art Center’s Artist in Community program, featuring visiting artists from around the country. Kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Please see Programs for full project descriptions and to register. 
Linde Park             

June 14- Cut Paper Weaving
June 28- Whimsical Clay Teacups
July 12- Simple Stuffed Animals   
July 26- Strange Clay Characters           
Aug 9- Mini-Sketchbooks
Aug 23- Indigo Dye Day                                                         

Sundays from 11-12:30pm and 1:00-2:30pm
All Ages- Free!- pre-registration required

Free summer fun on Tuesday afternoons at Linde Park and Thursday afternoons at Family Park! Island Rec staff will be on-site with games, craft projects, sports equipment, and more. Join us each week to play outside together. The Summer Playground Program is not intended to be a substitute for child-care or daycare services. Young children should not be left unsupervised.
Linde Park and Fairgrounds Family Park          

Tuesdays, June 23-Aug 18 from 1:30-3:30pm- Linde Park
Thursdays, June 25-Aug 6 from 1:30-3:30pm- Family Park   
All Ages- Free!

Relax, connect, and get creative with us! Step-by-step guidance will help you bring a full painting to life. All skill levels welcome. Ages 8-14 accepted with a registered adult.
Island Rec House

Thursdays 6-8pm

August 20- Sand Dollars
September 17- Petal Perch
October 15- Painter’s Choice – Halloween’s Lament or Floral Pumpkin
November 19- Autumn Leaves
December 17- Holiday Fox
Ages 8+ – $20

Jump on the Island Rec shuttle at the ferry landing and explore new landscapes on neighboring islands. Transportation and guide provided for these moderate hikes. Please see program details for pack list.
Island Rec House

August 20  from 8am-3pm- Lopez Island
September 19  from 8am-3pm– Shaw Island
November 21  from 8am-3pm– San Juan Island
Ages 55+ – $15 ($5 for the SJI trip)

Welcome to a space where young creators can experiment, explore, and express themselves through hands-on, process-based painting projects!
Island Rec House

Tuesdays 3-4pm

September 8- Disco Unicorn
October 13- Mummy and Cat
November 10- Chameleon
December 18- Snowman and Cardinals
Grades K-2 – $ 15/class

Join the after-school paint club for creative kids! Every session, you’ll go home with a fresh new masterpiece and some awesome new skills!
Island Rec House

Thursdays 3-4:30pm

September 10- Baby Panda
October 8- Pumpkin Patch Raccoons
November 12- Happy Hedgie
December 10- Penguin
Grades 3-5 – $ 15/class

Explore San Juan Island with our eagle eye birdwatching guide, Tyler Davis. These walking tours will allow for opportunities to learn about the variety of birds and habitats right in our own backyard. No experience needed; but binoculars are highly recommended.

Zylstra Lake-  Sept 10 from 7-9am
English Camp- Sept 17 from 7:30-9:30am 
Mt. Finlayson/Jakle’s-  Sept 24 from 9:30-11:30am
Cattle Pt/Third Lagoon- Oct 1 from 7:30-9:30am 
Zylstra Lake-  Nov 5 from 7:30-9:30am
American Camp- Dec 3 from 8-10am
English Camp-  Jan 7 from 8-10am

Ages 16+ – $12

Enjoy a day on the water paddling! All skill levels are welcome for a fun, guided sea kayak experience with opportunities to learn new techniques and appreciate nature. All gear provided. Ages 11-15 accepted with registered adult.
Roche Harbor

September 26 from 10:30am-1:30pm and 2:30-5:30
Ages 11+ – $25

Upon successful completion of this class you will gain life-saving skills and have a certification from the American Heart Association, valid for two years.
Frank Wilson EMS Building

Sept 27 from 9am-1:00pm
Ages 15+ – $75

This class is designed to introduce newcomers to the game and will cover basic rules, techniques and strategies. Develop a solid foundation in a fun and supportive environment. Loaner paddles available. The program guide contained some errors.
 Fairgrounds Main Building

Sept 29-Oct 13 from 6-7:30pm    
Ages 16+ – $30

Join us for some pickleball action! Lead by a group of experienced pickleball volunteers, you will play round robin style matches with different doubles partners. Loaner paddles are available and indoor pickleballs will be provided. Be sure to wear court shoes with good grip as our floors can be slippery.

Not sure on your skill level? Click here for the official USAPA Skill ratings chart to choose the group that’s best for you.
Fairgrounds Main Building

Level 2.0-3.5   
Mondays from 5-6:30pm  $6

Level 3.5+       
Mondays from 6:30-8pm   $6

Level 3.0+        
Tuesdays from 10am-12pm   $8

Level 3.0+       
Wednesdays from 3-5pm   $8

Level 3.5+         
Thursdays 6-7:30pm   $6

Level 2.0-3.5   
Thursdays 7:30-9pm   $6

Level 3.0+         
Saturdays 10a-12p   $8

Sessions start the week of October 12
Ages 16+ 

Spend the month of October doing fun walking challenges around the island. Fill out your Walktober Bingo Card and turn it in to be entered into a raffle for a fun prize.

Oct 1-31
All Ages – Free!

Fall / Winter beginner friendly art programming. Participants under 15 need to be accompanied by a registered adult. To see a full list of childrens and adult art programs click HERE.
Island Rec House

Autumn Resin Suncatchers Ages 11+
Oct 1 from 6-8pm              $25

Resin Stand Up Christmas Trees Ages 11+
Dec 1 from 6-8pm              $30

Resin Ornaments Ages 11+
Dec 3  from  6-8pm           $25

Needle Felted Ornaments Ages 8+
Dec 8 from  6-8pm           $15

Woodburning Ornaments   Ages 15+
Dec 15 from 5-7pm           $15

Grab your favorite friendly pup and get them dressed up in their Halloween best and enjoy a fun dash through the beautiful fall colors at the park. Cool off at the finish line with some apple cider and a tasty puppuccino! *Everyone’s welcome, even if you don’t have a dog with you.
Linde Park

Oct 3 at 10am
All Ages – $15

Your toddler’s chance to touch and explore to their heart’s content! There will be sensory bins filled with fun materials and textures and a myriad of ways to interact and learn. Co-hosted by the San Juan Island Library and Island Rec.       
FHES Gym

Oct 14 from 2-3:30pm      
Ages 2-5- Free!

School’s out early so grab your pals and come explore rigs of all shapes and sizes!
FHES playground

Oct 16 from 11:20am-12:30pm  
All Ages – Free!

It’s spooky season, and Island Rec is celebrating with Halloween movies, trick or treat bag decorating, popcorn and cotton candy! Get an early start on wearing your costume and come to the family-friendly event.
Brickworks

Oct 23 from 4:30-6:30pm
Ages 3-11 – $8/child
*Children must be accompanied by an adult.

When the ghouls come out this year, we’ll be ready for them! Join other costumed teens for a fun evening of free bowling and pizza. Prizes for costumes are given out at 6:00!
Paradise Lanes/JP’s

Oct 31 from 5:30-7:30pm
Grades 6-12 – Free!

Ring in the New Year with the SJI Library and Island Rec! Skip the late night and enjoy crafts, sensory play, dancing and a balloon drop at noon. This fun-filled event is designed for toddlers, preschoolers and their families.
Brickworks

Dec 31 from 11am–12:30pm
Ages 2-5  – Free!

Sprint into the New Year at Island Rec’s annual Resolution Run/Walk 5k! Enjoy the optional polar dip in the Salish Sea after your run. Beanies available for the first 80 registered!
Jackson Beach

Jan 1 at 10am
All Ages – $20 for ages 11+ / Ages 10 and under free