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Welcome to PAC Center
The Mission of the Park Avenue Community Center is to foster creativity, build connections and promote the wellbeing of the community through our inspiring programs, classes and events. We are a vibrant and welcoming intergenerational hub that harnesses the power of arts and ideas to enrich, enlighten and change lives.
Programs
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Health and Wellness
“Health is a state of being, wellness a state of living.”
From Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Yoga and Meditation, to nutrition and cooking classes, we are curating programs geared to keeping our minds, bodies and spirits engaged and cared for. Explore what the PAC Center has to offer.
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Continuing Education
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever” — Mahatma Gandhi
At the PAC Center, we aim to bring you the best of continuing education classes that are fun and informative. Whether pursuing personal interests and passions or chasing professional ambitions, lifelong learning can help us to achieve personal fulfillment and satisfaction.
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Culinary Arts
“To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art” — La Rochefoucauld
Here at PAC Center, we love to eat, and we love everything about food — from learning about it, to cooking it, to eating it. We look forward to bringing you cooking classes, food events, workshops, pop up eateries and a space for entrepreneurs to dice, slice, bake, or brew in our (coming soon) commercially-certified kitchen.
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Performing Arts
“When I was a kid…no wait, I still do that”
As part of our “take care” mantra, PAC will be offering classes, workshops and events for adults in theatre, dance, music and the spoken/written word. Staying connected to or reawakening that creative spark is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves.
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Senior Citizens
“Getting older is an extraordinaire process where you become the person you always should have been.” – David Bowie
Senior Citizens thrive at the PAC Center thanks to our Community Partner, The Swarthmore Senior Citizens Association (SSCA). Daily activities include games and crafts, Friday Friends, Lunch and Learn, Walks and Trails and SSCA Travels. Join this vibrant community today!
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Kids
“A person’s a person no matter how small” — Horton the elephant
Children flourish at the PAC Center. Creative Classes, performance opportunities, kid focused events, after school programs, tutoring and homework help. Explore our programs, let us know what you’d like to see and consider ways to share your talents with our young community.
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Teens
COMING SOON
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — A.A. Milne
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Summer Camps
Summer Camps are here! We’re rolling out a vibrant and exciting line up of summer camps for all ages. Come see what we’re offering.
Upcoming Events
2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
Sept 10, Sept 24, Oct 8, Oct 22, Nov 12, Nov 26, Dec 10
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Allison Garfinkel, RN, provides free drop-in support for breastfeeding mothers in the community.
This fun social dance is easy to learn with live music and professional callers teaching the moves. There's lots of swinging and lots of brisk walking and lots of smiles.
Yoga Nidra, “yogic sleep” is the practice of sleep with a trace of awareness. Yoga Nidra leads us into a deep state of consciousness, in which we rest in spacious awareness and presence. It has has been found to ease anxiety, stress, insomnia, chronic pain and the effects of living amidst the demands of this modern world.
Tap into the creative energy of our community and join "The Rotary Arts Conversations" a new speaker series featuring in-depth discussions with some of the most talented artists in our area. Tonight’s guest, poet Betsy Bolton.
Tickets $10.
Myofascial Release relieves your tension and improve your range of motion with myofascial release! Enjoy 90 minutes of yoga, foam rolling, meditation, and extended relaxation in this workshop designed to leave your muscles and joints with a greater flexibility.
Join us in speaking French about a variety of subjects. Open to any skill level, but may be best suited for intermediate speakers. The primary purpose is for participants to practice speaking French and have fun doing it. Event is free.
2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
Sept 24, Oct 8, Oct 22, Nov 12, Nov 26, Dec 10
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Allison Garfinkel, RN, provides free drop-in support for breastfeeding mothers in the community.
This fun social dance is easy to learn with live music and professional callers teaching the moves. There's lots of swinging and lots of brisk walking and lots of smiles.
Featured Classes & Programs
Health and Wellness
7 Mondays
Sept 9 - Oct 21
10 - 11 am
7 Classes - $105
Start your week with a vigorous, strength-based class which energizes the body and increases flexibility. Set to music, this class inspires mindfulness through movement. Come experience the power of yoga to create inner and outer peace, balance and harmony.
7 Mondays
Sept 9 - Oct 21
6:00 - 7:00pm
7 classes $105
It's never too late to learn how to Tap Dance! Learn the basic steps of tap dance, including warm up routines, how to put together basic steps to make combinations, and how to create your own combinations. If you are curious about Tap Dance, this is the class for you! Dance steps taught at a slow pace, no previous experience needed.
7 Mondays
Sept 9 - Oct 21
6 - 7 pm
7 classes $105
This Barre class uses basic ballet movements to tone and sculpt the body into the long sinewy lines of a ballet dancer. It will build strength as well as improve your cardiovascular fitness. Set to a pop playlist, no dance knowledge or experience necessary. Come get fit and have fun at the barre!
6 Mondays
Sept 9 - Oct 21 (no class 10/7)
7:15 - 8:15 pm
6 Classes - $50 flat rate
In these challenging times, the practical wisdom of meditation can help us show up for our daily lives with more kindness, confidence and curiosity. This program is ideal for beginners as well as students who want to work on stabilizing their meditation.
8 Mondays
Sept 30 - Nov 18 + Showcase on Nov 25!
7:00 - 9:00 pm
8 Classes + Showcase - $240 flat rate/No Drop-Ins
Taught by long time actress, Susan Wefel, this class will follow the Hedgerow Theatre training of “humility, industry and an aptitude for learning.” This class offers collaboration, confidence building, improvisation, and some scene study for a showcase of scenes of classics by various playwriters: Neil Simon, A.R. Gurney, David Ives, and Thornton Wilder.
7 Tuesdays
Sept 10 - Oct 22
8:30 - 9:30 am
7 Classes- $105
This class is open to all bodies! We welcome everyone, especially those navigating pelvic floor issues. Our intention is to create a supportive community, a held space for you to explore your body and its needs through the lens of the pelvis and core.
7 Tuesdays
Sept 10 - Oct 22
9:30 - 10:30am
7 Classes - $105
Let the music move you and you’ll forget you’re working out! This artful blend of music and dance styles (contemporary, jazz, lyrical, ballet) and conditioning exercises will strengthen your whole body and soul! No previous dance experience required.
7 Tuesdays
Sept 10 - Oct 22
11 - 12 pm
7 classes $105
We use a chair for seated postures and for support in standing and balance poses. A gentle form of yoga, Chair Yoga offers an inclusive and inviting yoga environment in which we explore with an inward focus, honoring our individual bodies, with mindfulness and compassion.
6 Tuesdays
Sept 10 - Oct 22 (no class 10/8)
12:15 - 1:15 pm
6 classes $90
Qi Yoga for Self-Care is a deeply relaxing mix of mindful movement and stillness-based practices drawn from the energy healing arts of Yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This class weaves together restorative poses, somatic movement, acupressure, self-massage, and qigong to enhance a release of tension deeply held in the body, reduce stress, and encourage a smooth flow of life giving force energy.
7 Tuesdays
Sept 10 - Oct 22
5:30 - 6:30pm
7 classes $105
Level 3 Tap Dance is for those with 3+ years of tap experience. Expect a little bit of everything. Rhythm tap technique, warm up routines and choreography. Come sharpen your skills and make some noise with us! Dance steps taught at a medium to fast pace.
7 Tuesdays
Sept 10 - Oct 22
6 - 7 pm
7 Classes - $105
Vinyasa yoga involves a continuous flow of yoga poses, moving to the rhythm of our breath. From week to week we focus on a unique class theme, building strength, flexibility, balance and mindfulness through standing, seated and balance poses.
7 Tuesdays
Sept 10 - Oct 22
7:00 - 8:00pm
7 classes $105
Level 2 Tap Dance is for the Adv. Beginner with 1-2 years previous tap experience. We will be working on technique, times steps, basic warm up routines and some choreography. With and without music, learning how to count the steps. Dance steps taught at a slow to medium pace.
7 Wednesdays
Sept 11 - Oct 23
6:30am - 7:15am
7 Classes - $105
A full body class using multiple types of bands to add tension and resistance to movements to fully engage more muscles for stability and strength. Movements are easily modifiable so class moves quickly and efficiently. All fitness levels welcome!
7 Wednesdays
Sept 11 - Oct 23
9:30 - 10:30 am
7 classes $105
This Barre class uses basic ballet movements to tone and sculpt the body into the long sinewy lines of a ballet dancer. It will build strength as well as improve your cardiovascular fitness. Set to a pop playlist, no dance knowledge or experience necessary. Come get fit and have fun at the barre!
7 Wednesdays
Sept 11 - Oct 23
11:00 - 12:15pm
7 Classes - $105
In Gentle Yoga, we gradually move in and out of poses, mindful of our bodies and breath. The movements are slow, linked with breath, and postures entered into gently. We end class with a resting pose, to prepare us for the rest of the day. Come and enjoy a practice that is gentle, mindful and conscious, while receiving the abundant benefits of yoga.
6 Wednesdays
Sept 11 - Oct 23 (no class 9/18)
1:30 - 2:45 pm
6 Classes - $90
Got stress? Experience Tai Chi Chih! This ‘user friendly’ moving meditation has just 19 moves, doesn’t require physical fitness or coordination, and can be adapted to be done seated or for physical limitations.
2nd & 4th Tuesdays
Aug 27 - Dec 10
10:00 am - 11:30 am
FREE
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Allison Garfinkel, RN, provides free drop-in support for breastfeeding mothers in the community.
7 Wednesdays
Sept 11 - Oct 23
6:15 - 7:15 pm
7 Classes - $105
Flow through a full body yoga sequence, building strength and resilience as you relax the body and calm the mind at the end of the day. Stretch the areas that accumulate tension from the day, and leave prepared to enter into a peaceful rest of the evening.
7 Thursdays
Sept 12 - Oct 24
9:30 - 10:30 am
7 Classes - $105
Jump start your morning with a strength-based class which energizes the body, increases flexibility and balance. Set to music, this class prepares us to embrace the day ahead with energy and focus.
7 Thursdays
Sept 12 - Oct 24
11 - 12 pm
7 Classes - $105
This class is designed for age 50+ active adults wanting to keep doing the things we love! With a focus on balance, strength and flexibility, this class uses yoga as a life-long practice to support healthy aging with mindfulness, helping us to enjoy the activities we love for years to come.
7 Thursdays
Sept 12 - Oct 24
6 - 7 pm
7 Classes - $105
This dance format is easy enough for beginners to build confidence with more difficult choreography layered in to challenge for the advanced dancer. All set to your favorite dance music, this exhilarating and liberating dance is a calorie burning dance party that will have you addicted from the first beat! Exercise is disguised by all the fun you will have!
7 Thursdays
Sept 12 - Oct 24
7:15 - 8:15 pm
7 classes $105
Ballet helps us build strength, increase flexibility, mobility and balance, while also helping us to keep our minds sharp, reduce stress and improve our mood. In this class, we will learn classical ballet techniques, intertwining movement with the classical music that guides us, taking ballet from an exercise to a beautiful art form. For the true beginner and the returning student who hasn’t been at the barre in a while. Join us as we cultivate a mind-body connection through Ballet.
7 Fridays
Sept 13 - Oct 25
6:30am - 7:15am
7 Classes - $105
Women and Weights is a comprehensive full-body weight lifting class to add strength and stability to your workout routines. We will use classic weight lifting techniques with dumbbells to build lean muscle mass to create more durable bodies as we age. All fitness levels welcome!
7 Fridays
Sept 13 - Oct 25
10:00 - 10:45 am
7 Classes - $105
This gentle guided stretching and balance class will use basic stretches and balance skills to better support us in our daily routines. Maintaining and increasing flexibility and balance are essential for healthy aging as well as for injury prevention for athletes.
4 Fridays
Sept 13, Oct 4, Oct 11, Nov 1
6:00 - 7:30pm
4 classes $80 or $25 drop in fee
Liven up your week with line dancing! This class, open to all, explores soul line dances and popular “Wedding and Cook-out” line dances. Improve your physical wellness while making interpersonal and cultural connections. Get ready for your summer vacation, events, and weddings at this fun community dance.
7 Saturdays
Sept 14 - Oct 26
8:30 - 9:30 am
7 Classes - $105
Join Ibrahim for a vibrant morning Power Yoga class to wake you up and get you started on your day! Power Yoga is an energetic class, stemming from a Vinyasa-based background. Power Yoga focuses on building strength and endurance while moving through a fast-paced flow. The poses are challenging; moving quickly from one asana to the next with connected breath work.
7 Saturdays
Sept 14 - Oct 26
10:00 - 11:00 am
7 Classes - $105
Inspired by yoga and Pilates, this athletic full body workout from BODi/Beachbody builds strength, endurance, and flexibility while moving to great music. We’ll warm-up with a series of sun salutations, progress through a dynamic blend of yoga poses, lunges, squats, push-ups, and planks, and finish with a beautiful extended flow. No previous experience necessary, just a desire to work hard and have fun!
KIDS
Mondays
Sept 9 - Dec 9 (no class 11/25)
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
13 Classes - $325
Dig, Stomp, Stamp, Shuffle.... Learn the basic steps of tap dance, including warm up routines, how to put together basic steps to make combinations, and how to create your own combinations. If you are curious about Tap Dance, this is the class for you! Slow pace, no previous experience needed.
Grades 3- 5
Mondays
Sept 9 - Dec 9 (no class 11/25)
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
13 Classes - $325
¡Viajemos! is an immersive journey into the Spanish-speaking world that combines an organic approach to Spanish language learning with engaging activities that foster cultural appreciation.
Grades 1- 5
Mondays
Sept 9 - Dec 9 (no class 11/25)
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
13 Classes - $325
Yoga is for Union ~connecting body, mind and heart! YogAmi combines a multi-arts approach to learning yoga in imaginative and creative ways through music and movement, stories, games, art, science and nature.
Grades K-3
Mondays
Sept 9 - Dec 9 (no class 11/25)
5:45 pm - 6:45 pm
13 Classes - $234
In this class, young dancers will be introduced to the foundations of creative expression. This class is designed to be a fun, safe, and exciting space for dancers to develop new skills in body awareness and teamwork.
Ages 4-6
Mondays
Sept 16 - Dec 16 (no club meeting 10/14 and 10/28)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
12 Club meetings - $25 session of $5 per drop in
It’s your move, join us! This is an all-ages club, We welcome all skill levels, and some of the most experienced players love to teach.
Tuesdays
Sept 10 - Dec 10 (no class 11/5 and 11/26)
4:00 - 5:30pm
12 classes - $300
This is a seasonal class, so each session will vary in plants and projects that are available at the different growing stage. In this class we will learn about herbal first aid and how to use it on our adventure up the mountain in the board game Wildcraft!
Grades 2-5
Tuesdays
Sept 10 - Dec 10 (no class 11/5 and 11/26)
4:00 - 5:45 pm
12 Classes - $300
Join comics illustrator to learn more about the wide world of Anime! Learn drawing techniques and dynamic poses. Explore monsters from Kaiju to Pocket Monsters and learn the history of Anime, including Samurai, ninjas, Pokemon and beyond!
Grade 3-5
Wednesdays
Sept 11 - Dec 11 (no class 11/27)
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
13 Classes - $325
Learn acting skills with and without a script! This on-your-feet class will have students working with their peers to perform short scenes and gain confidence with improv. A performance for families and friends will take place on the final class of the session.
Wednesdays
Sept 11 - Dec 11 (no class 11/27)
4:00 pm - 5:45 pm
13 Classes - $325
From pop art, to still life, landscape and experimental materials, get a chance to stretch your painting skills in this class.
Gardes 3-5
Thursdays
Sept 12 - Dec 12 (no class 10/3 and 11/28)
4:00 - 5:30 pm
12 Classes - $300
Not all artists who wander are lost....Hop into our time machine to travel to different artistic time periods to work with multi-mediums to create your own masterpieces. We're heading to the lands of: Pop Art, Expressionism, Surrealism, Abstract, Cubism and even Street Art! I guess we'll have to DIY our own Tardis!
Grades K-3
Thursdays
Sept 12 - Dec 12 (no class 10/3 and 11/28)
4:00 - 5:30 pm
12 Classes - $300
Students will put their writing skills to work in this comedy-driven class. Learn storytelling and playwriting techniques to create monologues and sketches. A performance for an invited audience will take place on the last class of the session.
Grades 3-5
Fridays
Sept 13 - Dec 13 (no class 10/4 and 11/29)
4:00-5:30 pm
12 Weeks - $300
Think you have what it takes to be a LEGO Master? Join us as we come together to creatively take on and complete a wide range of build challenges. Teamwork, collaboration, creativity and ingenuity will be emphasized as we explore different methods and approaches to rebuilding our world in brick form.
Grades K-3
2nd & 4th Tuesdays
Aug 27 - Dec 10
10:00 am - 11:30 am
FREE
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Allison Garfinkel, RN, provides free drop-in support for breastfeeding mothers in the community.
Monday
Sept 9
9:30 - 10:15 am
Ages 0-5
Meet Ms. Virginia! She believes music circles should be interactive, entertaining and educational! Classes aim to meet EVERY child where they are developmentally and are flexible & dynamic! Egg shakers, scarves, and “special” instruments will be shared in class.
Mondays
Sept 16 - Nov 18 (no class 10/14)
9:30 - 10:15 am
Ages 0-5
9 weeks - $162
Meet Ms. Virginia! She believes music circles should be interactive, entertaining and educational! Classes aim to meet EVERY child where they are developmentally and are flexible & dynamic! Egg shakers, scarves, and “special” instruments will be shared in class.
Fridays
Sept 13 - Dec 13 (no class 10/4 and 11/29)
4:00 - 5:30 pm
12 Classes - $300
Interested in Dungeons & Dragons? Join us as we explore and strengthen the skills needed to play the world's greatest roleplaying game. Learn to improvise, problem-solve, and work as a team to become masters of collaborative storytelling! No need to memorize the rules quite yet—we’ll just cover the basics.
Grades 3-5
Wednesdays
9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13
10:00 - 11:00am
5 weeks - $75
Every other week!
SIGHT, SOUND, TOUCH, TASTE and SMELL! Kids ages 1-5 and their caregivers will enjoy a fun morning of Sensory Play. Set up in stations, kids will have full autonomy to move from one sense to another at their leisure.
Wednesdays
every other week!
9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20
9:30-10:15am
Ages 1 - 5 with Caregiver
5 classes - $75
Young children explore songs, music, movement, games, dancing, stories, simple art projects and dramatic play stimulating development and social skills while sparking imaginations and encouraging creativity.
Thursdays
Sept 19 - Nov 21
9:30 - 10:15 am
Ages 18 months - 3 years
10 weeks - $180
Come dance, sing and play music with Ms. Bethanne. For toddlers and their caregivers, this is an interactive movement class led by veteran dance educator Bethanne Margies. Music, movement, stories, instruments, props and more and themed each week!
Thursdays
Sept 19 - Nov 21
10:30 - 11:15 am
Ages 3-5 with Caregiver
10 classes - $180
Join us as we use songs, books, props and imagination to learn about dance, creative movement and ballet. Each week, we will peek into Miss Bethanne’s magic trunk to see what our theme is, and what special books and props we’ll be using for our class.
Fridays
Date- Date
9:30 - 10:15am
weeks - $
Ages 0-4 with a Caregiver
Zumbini is an early childhood education program that uses original music and movement to promote cognitive, social, fine/gross motor skill and emotional development for children ages 0-4, all while creating the ultimate bonding experience for families.
Fridays
Date- Date
9:30 - 10:15am
weeks - $
Ages 0-4 with a Caregiver
Zumbini is an early childhood education program that uses original music and movement to promote cognitive, social, fine/gross motor skill and emotional development for children ages 0-4, all while creating the ultimate bonding experience for families.
Senior Citizens
September 11
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for lunch and sign up to get more involved with SSCA.
September 16
12:00-2:00 p.m
The first episode is The Spark of Benjamin Franklin (1720-1765).
Benjamin Franklin is Philadelphia's most iconic citizen, but how did William Penn's city shape the man often called "The First American"?