BOCCE BALL – 2023 Jan-Feb / Session 2 Registration
BOCCE BALL – 2023 March-May / Session 3 Registration

SOFTBALL – 2023 League PLAYER Profile Registration

SOFTBALL – 2023 League Registration

GOLF – 2023 Sr Golf League Rules

 

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

The Castle Rock Senior Activity Center typically has about 150 activities each month for members and guests to choose from. Members can be as involved as they desire – some may participate in just a few a year while others stop by nearly every day. Each month there are individual trips or special events which are highlighted in our monthly newsletter or on our Events Page.

Our Senior Center also offers many ongoing programs which you will find outlined on this page. Stop by and check any of these out. See the newsletter for additional information. If you have questions, or want to know more about specific programs, feel free to reach out to the Center or see the current Contact List with phone numbers printed in the newsletter (usually on pages 11 and 18).

MEALS/FOOD – because eating with others makes the food that much better

  • Coffee and Conversation – It’s BACK!  Every day from 8:30am-4:00pm we have complimentary coffee, ice water, pastries and snacks available. Everyone is invited to pull up a chair and enjoy company with other seniors. Stop by any time and make a friend while enjoying a cup or two, along with one of the best mountain views in the area!
  • Dining to Donate: This is a monthly Senior Center fundraiser, partnering with local restaurants. They are usually the 4th Wednesday of the month, but check the newsletter. For every flyer turned in to the restaurant on the Dining to Donate day, a percentage of sales will be donated to the Senior Center. Flyers are always printed in the newsletter, are on the Events Page on the website, or are available at the Senior Center. This is a great way to support local businesses, make some money for the Center, and enjoy a good meal.
  • Hot Lunch: Every Tuesday & Thursday at 11:30 AM, the Volunteers of America serves a hot meal (called VOA Lunch on our calendar). There is no need to sign up in advance. For first time participants, there is a registration form to fill out, and a $2.50 contribution is suggested. The main course is listed on the calendar each month and the full menu is available at the Center. This is a great introduction to our Center, as it is a wonderful way to get to know people while you’re eating.
  • Lunch and Learn: Usually the 2nd Wednesday of the month (check the calendar) at 11:15 AM. Enjoy a healthy meal and a wellness presentation of interest to seniors. You need to sign up in advance.
  • Potlucks and other luncheons: We plan a Thanksgiving and a holiday potluck luncheon each year; the Center provides the main course, while all participants bring a side dish and pay a small fee. Other potlucks are sometimes planned and are promoted in the newsletter. You do need to sign up in advance.
  • Trips to Restaurants: We plan many outings to area restaurants for brunch, lunch or dinner. See the newsletter each month. We leave from the Center, traveling on our buses, and the Center makes all the reservations. Most of the time, everyone orders off the menu and pays for his or her own meals. Occasionally we arrange a pre-paid meal or a limited menu meal, and these are always fully outlined in the newsletter.

GENERAL INTEREST

  • Financial Services: One Friday per month, Financial Advisor, Paul Donahue of Edward Jones is available to answer your financial questions by appointment only. Please sign up in advance.
  • Garden Club: Our Center is fortunate to have a beautiful garden property to maintain and grow vegetables which are made available for Senior Center members. It takes a number of committed individuals to plan, plant, grow and harvest the bounty each year at the “sit and garden” raised beds. Anyone is welcome to volunteer with this group. Monthly planning meetings are held early in the year at the Center (check the newsletters for dates and times) and then work schedules are ongoing throughout the growing season at the garden.
  • Legal Presentations: These are held the 4th Wednesday of most months at 10:00 AM and are presented by Jaime Stewart, of Gubbels Law Firm in Castle Rock. They are free of charge. Topics are listed in the newsletter and are of senior interest, mainly in estate planning issues. Please sign up in advance.
  • Library: The Center has a lending library of books, audio books and puzzles available for members to check out, read and bring back for others to enjoy. The library is located in the Summit Conference Room. A group of volunteers is continually busy keeping the shelves full.
  • Remembering our Veterans: Presentations are given at meetings held the 1st Friday of the month at 1:00 PM on topics regarding the military. Jim Pierce, who facilitates our Remembering our Veterans programs, seeks out speakers who are veterans to share their experiences, but interesting presentations have also been given by those who have traveled to historic military sites, or those with an avid interest in a particular conflict to share history. Every month is unique and very interesting. Anyone with an interest is invited to attend. There is no charge and you do not need to sign up in advance.
  • Senior Center Newcomer Orientation Meetings: At 9:30 AM on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, new or prospective members can come to a 1-hour meeting to find out all about the Senior Center, along with how to get involved and to make the most of their time here as members. It’s also a chance to get questions answered and meet others who are new. People can stay for VOA lunch after the meeting, if they desire and are already signed-up). Please call the front desk at 303-688-9498 to register for the Newcomer Orientation.
  • Sit and Be Fit Classes: At 9:30 AM on Tuesday-Thursday, we show low impact exercise DVDs on our big screen for a 1-hour of movement and exercise. All are welcome to join in whenever available.

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS – These meet regularly and anyone with an interest are welcome to attend whenever available. No sign up is needed and there is no charge

  • Book Club: This is a different kind of book club, as attendees share with the group books they have read or authors they particularly like, giving others recommendations for future reading. Attendees may informally present or just listen to what others have to say. The group meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 10:00 AM.
  • Creative Writing: People who want to write or like to write meet at 1:30 PM the 2nd Tuesday of the month. They share their words, learn and practice writing skills, and work on projects together. No experience is necessary, just a desire to put pen to paper.
  • Current Events: Each Friday at 10:00 AM people gather to talk about what’s happening. Many opinions are expressed and discussions center on everything from local news, to politics, to international crises.
  • Knitting and Crocheting: This group meets at 1:00 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays to work on individual projects with others. The Center has a large supply of yarn to make projects to sell at our annual Craft Show or our outreach programs; or bring your own projects to work on. The ladies will even help you learn a new skill.
  • Sewing Group: This group meets 9:30 am – 4 pm, on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, and you can come and go as you please. They make quilts for members who are Veterans and for the local Fire Department to distribute to those in need. They also make breast pillows, port pillows as well as hats for cancer patients. In addition, they create items for our November Craft Show. Currently, they are making face masks for first responders, healthcare workers, cancer patients, as well as our seniors.
  • Low Vision Support Group: The group is facilitated by the Colorado Center for the Blind and is open to anyone who is experiencing any vision issues. They meet monthly on the 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 PM. This is a great way to hear about new technologies, learn new coping skills, and relate with others having similar struggles.
  • Trivia Group: Anyone is welcome to come see what you know and learn some new things as they go through trivia questions and try to stump each other. No experience is necessary, just a desire to keep learning. They meet at 1:00 PM on Thursdays, except for the 4th Thursday when they meet at 2:00 PM after Active Minds.

SENIOR CENTER CLASSES/PROGRAMS – Please sign up in advance for these programs. Some have fees associated with them, while others are at no cost

  • Active Minds: We receive grant funding to be able to offer Active Minds presentations free each month on the 4th Thursday at 1:00 PM. These are hour long lectures on topics of interest. Please sign up in advance. We are the only south Denver location for Active Minds programming. Learning is a lifelong adventure. Topics are promoted in the newsletter.
  • Discovery Hour: These are quarterly programs where we “bring an experience” to the Senior Center, especially designed for those unable to go on trips but available to anyone. Each program will be unique – either hands-on or interactive – and always something new to learn about, see or experience. They are typically at 1:00 PM on a Thursday and will be promoted in the newsletter.
  • Drama Workshops: These highly interactive workshops focus on all different aspects of “drama” – from reader’s theater to musicals to improve and everything in between. Each class stands on its own and no experience is needed. They perform once in the Spring and once in the Fall, and occasionally around town. The program is run by Drama in Progress.
  • Learn a Craft Class: We hold these classes occasionally to teach participants how to do a specific craft, with all materials supplied.
  • Movie & Popcorn: Each month we show a movie of interest on our big screen and warm up the popcorn popper for an added treat. They are usually held at 12:45 PM on a Thursday. Specific movies are listed in the newsletter.

SPORTS/ATHLETICS – Staying active is vital to aging well and our sports programs are fun and not too competitive. Participants of all but the hikes must be members of the Senior Center. Reach out to the individual coaches or contacts listed on the Sports Section (page 18) in the monthly newsletter for questions or information

  • Bowling League: Our bowling season runs from September through April and they play on Mondays, taking a bus from the Center to Celebrity Lanes.
  • Golf League: There is a 9-hole and an 18-hole league that plays Tuesday mornings at Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course in Castle Rock from May-September at special reduced rates for our league. For registration, go to:  2023 Sr Golf League Rules – Full Packett
  • Hiking: We facilitate monthly hikes in May through September, fully outlining each month’s hike in the newsletter. Sign up for this is on an individual hike basis through our normal activity sign up process.
  • Bocce Ball: Anyone interested may join us; however, registrations are required in advance so please call ahead to reserve a seat. Reach us at the office at: 303-688-9498
    For registration, go to: 2023 Bocce Ball Registration – January-February/Session 2 ; Bocce Ball Registration – March-May / Session 3
  • Pickleball: This fast growing senior sport is run by the Castle Rock Recreation Department, playing indoors at the Rec Center or outdoors on 7 new courts in the warm weather.
  • Softball Leagues: We have 3 softball teams that play from April-August in Denver metro senior leagues on either Mondays or Wednesdays. Home games are held at Metzler Park in Castle Rock. For registration, go to: 2023 Softball League Registration Form 2023; 2023 Softball League PLAYER Profile Registration

GAME TIME – Come for the games but stay for the friendships made around the tables

  • Afternoon of Games: Our game tables are open and available most Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays at 1:00 PM to play whatever any group wants to play. There are often tables playing Mexican Train, Hand & Foot, Pinochle, Poker, or Mah Jong. Reach out to the person on the contact list in the newsletter for questions about specific games.
  • Bingo: Come join in the bingo fun on the 1st and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 1:00 PM. You can play as many cards as you desire; it’s a nickel a card per game and the winner gets the pot. Look in the newsletter for the every other month 4th Tuesday “White Elephant Bingo” where everyone brings a gift bag with an item in it and the winners each get a bag until they are gone (limit of 3).
  • Bridge Groups: Regular Bridge is played each Monday at 9:15 AM. Marathon Bridge is the 3rd Tuesday at 1:15 PM (except the winter months), and Duplicate Bridge is on the 4th Thursday at 1:15 PM (except the winter months). You do need to sign up in advance for these and contacts are listed in the newsletter.
  • Bunco: Bunco is typically offered the 4th Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM. We play a simplified scoring, fun version of this game played at tables of four people. Sign up and pay in advance.
  • Polish Poker: This is an easy and strictly for fun game – no experience necessary but please sign up in advance so we know how many tables to prepare. We’ll teach you how to play – bring your pennies!

TYPES OF TRIPS TO PLACES OUTSIDE THE CENTER – See specific trips listed in the newsletter. You must sign up and pay the activity fees associated with each of them in advance

  • Bucket List Trips: There is no shortage of places to go to cross things off our “bucket lists” because we live in this most incredible state. We’ve done whitewater rafting, sleigh rides, ziplining, snowshoeing, jeep tours, snow cat tours, and trips to fantastic sites. The requirements and expectations for the trip are clearly outlined in the newsletter each time.
  • Casino Trips: We go to Blackhawk or Central City for day trips on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. We leave Castle Rock at 8:30 AM and arrive back between 4:00-4:30 PM, depending on traffic. We always go to a specific casino, specified in the newsletter, but participants are free to walk to any of the others. Once a year we go to Cripple Creek for a day trip, leaving at 8:00 AM.
  • Free Seniors’ Council Meeting Presentations: We support the work of the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County by providing free bus transportation to the presentations given at the monthly meetings the 1st Thursday morning. Those interested do need to sign up in advance so we can arrange the transportation.
  • Mystery Trips: These are held every other month, often on the 2nd Friday, and are typically something unusual or sometimes not even open to the general public. Clues are given in the newsletter, along with any prerequisites and physical requirements (inside/outside, how much walking, etc), but participants do not know where they are heading. These are some of our most popular trips.
  • Organized Tour Trips: We contract with Diamond Tours every few years for longer trips to see an area of the country in motor coaches.
  • Overnight Trips: We occasionally take overnight or two night trips to places or sites in the Colorado area. A couple of times a year we go to Cripple Creek for a 2-night trip. These are always promoted in the newsletter.
  • Shopping Trips: We often go to various places throughout the Denver area for the purpose of shopping – these may be malls, thrift stores, antique or specialty shopping and are outlined in the newsletter. Sometimes we stop for a meal.
  • Theater or Concert Trips: We buy tickets well in advance for a variety of shows at area performing arts venues. We take all the stress out of going to these places as we buy the tickets, do the driving and worry about the parking – participants just need to show up and enjoy. We try to arrange for matinee performances whenever possible, but some of them are at night and are always outlined in the newsletter.

We offer a variety of other trips to museums, scenic sites, tourist attractions, historic programs, festivals and other places or events of interest each month. Please see the newsletter for upcoming events or trips.