What’s Cookin’ at the Kroc this September?

Joe Lyons • September 11, 2024

BINGO, Open Pickle Ball, Middle School Night, Roller-Skating, and Photography are all on the menu!

ASHLAND, Ohio – Whether you are looking for a place that offers spiritual enrichment and encouragement, a clean, family-friendly place to get physically fit, where your kids can grow their soccer, and swimming skills; or you just need a local spot to have fun this fall, The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center of Ashland has all of that and MORE!

“In keeping with the mission of The Salvation Army, and the wishes of benefactor Joan Kroc for the Kroc Center facilities to focus on recreation, education and the arts, The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Ashland provides opportunities that bridge the gap between potential and opportunity for children and adults,” explains says Dan Lawson, PhD, Director of Community Relations and Development. “Our programs and services are focused on a holistic approach to caring for individuals, strengthening families, and enriching the lives of seniors.”

To deliver on that commitment, The Ashland Kroc Center programming and recreation teams collaborate with local instructors and coaches to provide a variety of classes and events. A small sampling of some of the new and upcoming classes is outlined below. All activities are open to both members and nonmembers alike; however, individuals and families with a Kroc Center membership do receive a discount, and all the drop-in fitness classes are included with the membership fees.

For adults:

BINGO: Calling all BINGO enthusiasts! Join The Ashland Kroc Center for a jackpot of a good time, fun prizes, and fellowship each Friday, Sept. 13 – Nov. 22, from 10 to 11 a.m. Free for members and non-members alike.

Open Pickle Ball Night: When it’s too cold to play outside, the Kroc has you covered! Come join us and play on Mondays at 6 p.m., Sept. 30 – Dec. 2. Free for members, just $5 per person for non-members.

Fundamentals of Photography: Join instructor Paul Keske on Wednesdays, Sept. 18 – Nov. 6 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Students should bring their DSLR or mirrorless camera, camera manual and a flash drive to each session. Member cost is $28, and non-member fee is $40.

Drop-in Fitness Classes: Our fall sessions include Aqua Aerobics, Praise Craze, X-Treme Hip Hop Step Aerobics, Zumba, multiple variations of Spinning and Yoga, and more! All drop-in classes are FREE to members of the Kroc Center and are just $7 per person for non-members.

For families:

Family Fun Night: Bring the whole family to the Kroc Center and enjoy a night out together! We will offer a variety of activities each month which may include laser tag, bounce houses, roller-skating, giant Jenga, and seasonal crafts.

o Offered the first Friday of the month, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 & Dec. 6, 5 to 7 p.m.

o Free for members of the Kroc Center, and non-members are just $5 per person.

Family Roller-Skating Night: Bring your family and practice your skating moves in our gym! Feel free to bring your skates or borrow ours and enjoy this fun family activity.

o Offered the third Friday of the month, Sept. 20, Oct. 18 & Nov. 15, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

o Free for members of the Kroc Center, and non-members are just $5 per person (including skate rental!).

For kids:

Youth Self Defense with Ted Weaver: Thursdays, Sept. 12 – Nov. 21 (No class Oct. 31). Join one of our longest-standing instructors, Ted Weaver! Students will learn various ways to protect themselves in real life situations. There will be opportunities to break boards and much more!

o Ages 7-9: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Member Price: $40 | Non-Member Price: $52

o Ages 10 – 13: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Member Price: $45 | Non-Member Price: $70

Middle School Night: Just for middle school-age students (grades 5-8), this kids-only drop-off event will include board games, laser tag, dodge ball, roller skating, video games, and more!

o Offered the second Friday of the month, Sept. 13, Oct. 11 & Nov. 8, 5 to 7 p.m.

o Free for members of the Kroc Center, and non-members are just $5 per middle-schooler.

Bounce-N-Play: Fridays, Sept. 6 – Nov. 22 | 9:30 to 11 a.m. | Age: 2 to 5 Non-Member Cost: $5 per child (adults are free); Member Cost: Free. Get out of the house and enjoy some time playing in our Field House! We will have a Bounce House set up and will also incorporate other child-appropriate activities.

To see the full offering of classes and activities at the Ashland Kroc Center now through August, please go to the Program section of the Ashland Kroc Center’s website and download a digital version, or stop by one of the Welcome Desks during regular business hours and pick up a hardcopy.

Online registration and membership information is available at: https://krocsales.usaeast.org/#/ashland.

If you have questions or want to register for a class over the phone, please call the Ashland Kroc Center at (419) 281-8001.