Act, create, fence, have fun with the Easter Bunny

West Milford — The weather is getting nicer, there’s more daylight and spring is just a day away. Here is a look at some of the activities being offered by the West Milford Community Services and Recreation Department for kids. They can hone their acting skills, get a little practice in the kitchen, party with the Easter Bunny, even learn a little fencing. All of the activities meet at the Hillcrest Community Center unless otherwise noted. Add $10 for non-residents. Registration forms are available at the Community Services and Recreation office located in Hillcrest Community Center. Forms are also available on line at www.westmilford.org. Follow the prompts for forms and documents. For additional information, please call 973-728-2860. Create a character acting program For children ages 8 to 12 West Milford Community Services and Recreation will again be sponsoring an acting program for children 8 to 12 years of age this spring at Hillcrest Community Center. This program is being directed by Erika Crocco, who has extensive experience in children’s drama and theater. This program is designed to help the participant grow as a performer as well as an individual. It will introduce participants to the theater by teaching them through storytelling and games how to develop a character for performing. It will help the child learn the basics of the theater, to develop a character, make the character grow, and even touch upon basic projection exercises which will help the child in all areas of life. The program is eight weeks in length and is being offered on Mondays, beginning April 19 and continuing through June 14 (no class May 31). The class will meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The cost of the program is $110 per child. Costumes and characters Drama classes for preschoolers and kindergartners Let your little one’s creativity soar with a session of drama classes for preschoolers this spring. Children will explore real and imaginary worlds and the people who inhabit them. Children use their voices, facial expressions and movements to create different characters. Each week children will create a costume piece, prop or scenery element appropriate for that week’s theme. Parents will be invited at the conclusion of each class for a short presentation. The program will be held on Fridays, March 26 through May 14 (no class April 2 and April 9) from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. The classes are designed for children 3 1/2 to 5 years of age, including those in kindergarten. The cost is $70 per child. Enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required. The program will be held in Hillcrest Community Center. Little chefs cooking class For children in grades kindergarten through 2 MMM … something is going to taste very good. Little Chefs cooking class will be offered for children this spring at Hillcrest Community Center. This is a special food preparation course for children in grades kindergarten through 2. This course will give children hands on experience using creative and fun cooking skills. They will work in a safe and enjoyable environment and will learn that cooking is a little bit of science, too. And of course they’ll have a chance to enjoy what they’ve prepared. Two sessions are being offered on Thursdays. Session one will be held on April 1, 15, and 22. Session two will be held on June 10, 17, and 24. The time will be 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $37.50 per child. Enrollment is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Kids in the kitchen This will be a special food preparation course for children in grades 3 to 6. Among other things the participants will learn about basic kitchen function and safety, how to make nutritious meals, and of course they’ll have a chance to enjoy what they’ve prepared. Two sessions are being offered at Hillcrest Community Center on Thursday afternoons. Session 1 will be held April 1, 15 and 22. Session 2 will be held on June 10, 17 and 24, both sessions are from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. The cost is $37.50 per child. Enrollment is limited and will be on first come, first served basis. Hip Hop with the Easter Bunny Come to the Hillcrest Community Center for a fun spring activity, “Hip Hop with the Easter Bunny.” Two sessions are being offered: Session 1 for ages 4 and 5 will be held on Wednesday, March 31, and session 2 for grades kindergarten through 3 will be held on Monday, March 29, both from 4 to 6 p.m. Kids will have lots of fun making special treats, decorating a craft, singing, dancing and playing games. So kids, put on your ears, wiggle your tails and let’s party. The cost is $20 per child. Enrollment is limited. and is on a first come, first served basis, so register soon. Spring break Sciensational workshop Take part in an exciting two-day Rockit Robot-Hyper Peppy Robotics Sciensational workshop over spring break. Build and take home your own Rockit Robot. It is sound activated. Use the clap of your hands or the sound of your voice to get it moving. It has a very sensitive touch/sound sensor. When it comes in contact with an object it will automatically go into reverse and then turn left before embarking on a new course. It’s fast and you’re able to adjust it’s sensitivity to sound. You will see, first-hand, the many gears, circuit board, microphone, and it’s easy to assemble mechanical drive system. The completed project will help build self-confidence. You will also get to build other robots as a part of a small group. Be a part of robotic technology and have fun investigating the future effects it will have on our lives. This two-day workshop will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, April 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is designed for children 7-12 years of age. Children should bring a lunch. Supervision over lunch will be provided. Enrollment is limited. The cost is $130 per participant. Imagine with Music Children newborn through age 5 with caregiver: This is a music program for toddlers and preschoolers. Your child will love learning through music! This program will expose your child to a variety of music, creative movement, singing, imagination and circle time through music and movement. The program is designed for children ages newborn to age 5 with parent/caregiver participation and is a great program for siblings. The instructor is Erika Crocco. The eight week session will be held on Wednesdays from March 31 through May 26 (no class April 7). Two different times are being offered. Session 1 from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. and session 2 from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. The cost for the first child is $95; second sibling cost is $85; third sibling $75. Touche! Come learn the art of fencing. Beginner and intermediate level instruction in fencing is being offered this spring for students in grades 7 to 12 and adults. This program is designed to provide fencers with the opportunity to learn and to improve basic fencing skills. Experienced instructors will provide guidance in fundamental areas such as agility training, overall conditioning, footwork skills/drills and bladework. The program will be held on Monday evenings, March 29 through June 14 (there will be no program April 5 and May 31). The program will be held in the Macopin School Cafeteria from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $30 per fencer. All participants must provide their own equipment: mask, sword, glove, plastron and jacket. For beginner fencers, do not purchase any equipment before coming to the first class. This program is for West Milford residents only.