Baseball   

 BASE HITS INDOOR BATTING CAGE
Off 15-501 north of Pittsboro. (Located at 2985 15/501 North, just past the traffic signal near Northwood High School.)
Indoor batting and pitching cages, with accommodations for individual or team practice sessions.  Four batting cages and six pitching machines for softball and baseball, and two hitting stations in back; professional-grade Astro-turf.  Hours: 3 - 8 pm Monday through Friday, 10am-8pm Saturday, and 2-6pm Sunday.
(919) 545-BAT1.

YOUTH BASKETBALL PROGRAM - Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department 
For ages 6-15 (as of Jan. 1, 2006).  Open registration will take place on Sept. 6 or Orange County residents; non-Orange County residents can register beginning Monday, September 12.  The Program fee is $48 for Orange County residents and $84 for non-Orange County residents.
(919) 918-7364.

GRAND SLAM USA
Western Blvd., Raleigh
Indoor sport center features batting cages, basketball, arcade, food and pro shop.  Open daily (rain or shine) from 10am-10pm.
(919) 233-7522.

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YOUTH BASKETBALL SUMMER LEAGUES - CHAPEL HILL PARKS & RECREATION 
(919) 968-2784.

Private Basketball Training with Durham Panthers Basketball Coaches - 
Private coaching/training in shooting, dribbling, defending, mental & physical toughness and character building.  They will come to you if you have a goal; otherwise they will supply the location.  Twice a week, based on your schedule.  Ages 7 to 17 years.
"Our purpose is to help kids who have been cut from their middle/high school team make the team the following year and kids who haven't started middle school to NEVER get cut."
For more info:  (919) 824-1046 - ask for Coach Smith
Email:  burnunit@nc.rr.com

 

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AMF Durham Lanes
4508 Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham
(919) 489-9154.

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 CHillKids Guide to Camps.

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Orange County 4-H
Four-H works towards helping kids acquire the knowledge, life skills, and attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, contributing, and productive members of society. The central theme of 4-H education is "learn by doing." Participants are ages 5 to 19.
306-E Revere Rd., PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278
www.ces.ncsu.edu/orange/
(919) 245-2050

Durham County 4-H
www.ces.ncsu.edu/durham/youthdevelopment/4h/index.html

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BOUNDS DANCE STUDIO - Out of business (as of July 2005)
NOTE!! According to the Chapel Hill Herald July 17, 2005, Bounds Dance Studio "close[d] abruptly."  CHillKids is waiting for confirmation before deleting this entry.  The Chapel Hill News reported that familes lost their payments for Bounds summer camp sessions. 
Dance classes for children, teenagers and adults (pre-ballet, ballet, jazz, pre-tap, tap, modern, jazz, hip-hop, creative movement, focus on healing); summer dance camps.
157 Rams Plaza at 15-501 Bypass, Chapel Hill.
www.boundsdance.com
(919) 942-1088.

CARRBORO YOGA COMPANY
Yoga classes for beginners and pros, including classes for children ages 3-8 and Mommy and Baby Post-Natal Yoga.  Also now offering Youth Tai Chi classes for children ages 8-12 and 13-17.  Click link for the class schedule and more information.
Carr Mill, 200 N. Greensboro St., Suite D1.
www.mycyco.com 
(919) 933-2921

DANCENTRE
In its sixteenth year, Dancentre provides quality dance classes which encourage students to pursue dance as a lifelong activity. Dancentre offers classes in creative movement, ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance.
1714 Legion Road, P.O. Box 16364, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
www.dancentre.net/
(919) 967-4100.

HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOL OF DANCE
Dance classes for children and adults (tap, ballet, acrobatics, jazz).  Home of the Children's Ballet Co. of Hillsborough & HSD Dance Ensemble.
Located off New Hwy 86, 2818 Beckett's Ridge Dr. Hillsborough, NC.
(919) 732-6085. 

INIS CAIRDE SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE (further afield in Raleigh; now also offers classes in Chapel Hill)
Offering Irish dance classes in Raleigh since 1999; classes offered in Chapel Hill beginning in Fall 2005.
www.iniscairde.com
(919) 844-8002.

Triangle Youth Ballet
Ballet classes for children and youths; annual Nutcracker Ballet performancesBallet classes for children and youths; annual Nutcracker Ballet performances Ballet classes for children and youths; annual Nutcracker Ballet performances.
1708 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill 27514
www.triangleyouthballet.org
(919) 932-2676.

THE LITTLE GYM of DURHAM/CHAPEL HILL
Dance, gymnastics, martial arts, summer camps, and tumbling for children as young as a few months old on through the grade school years. Instruction provided by trained and experienced staff. Private birthday parties by appointment.
2501 University Dr., Suite 8, Durham, NC 27707.
www.tlgdurham-chapelhillnc.com/
(919) 403-5437.

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Local Disc Golf Courses:

Carolina Adventures Frisbee Disc Golf Course (Course Home Page) (UNC Outdoor Education Center at the former Chapel Hill Country Club) - combination of woods and open spaces for long throws in the open; hills and a pond to navigate.  Directions: I-40 to NC 54 to Chapel Hill, straight past the 15-501 overpass, uphill toward UNC Campus, left at 1st light on Country Club Rd., 3rd right into Center, 1st tee at top of hill.  (919) 962-4179.

Valley Springs Park, Durham, NC  Directions: I-85 west of Durham to Cole Mill Rd. exit, north to a right on Rose of Sharon, then 0.5 miles to a left on Valley Springs Rd., 0.25 mile to park on left. 1st tee by ball fields.  (919) 419-4430.

Cornwallis Road Park.  Directions: I-85 to 15-501 Bypass, south to Cornwallis Rd., left 0.5 mile to Wade Rd., right to park.  Website: www.itsco.com/dbeckwith/discgolf.html (919) 419-4430.

Harris Lake (Buckhorn at Harris Lake County Park)  Directions: From Raleigh take US 1 south to the New Hill exit (#89). Turn left on New Hill-Holleman Rd. toward power plant, 2.5 miles south to entrance on right. Course is midway into park with gravel parking lot on the right.  Websites: www.wakegov.com/county/parks/default.htm and 
www.radl.biz/Courses/BUCKHORN/main.htm 
(919) 812-0340.

Kentwood  Directions:  440 Beltline to Western Blvd., NCSU Exit, right on Kent then right on Kaplan, course on left.  Website:  www.radl.biz  (919) 303-5328

Cedar Hills Rotary Park  Directions: 440 Beltline to Six Forks Rd., north 2.5 miles to right on Millbrook. 1 mile to left on Sweetbriar, dead ends into course parking lot. 1st tee near picnic shelter.  Website info.  (919) 301-6340.

Disc Golf Links:
Durham and Orange County Recreational Disc Association
Raleigh Area Disc League
www.pdga.com (Professional Disc Golf Association Web site)

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GOVERNOR'S CLUB
27 holes of golf designed by Jack Nicklaus.  The golf course follows the contours of Edwards Mountain, winding around lakes and woodlands and through the Governors Club neighborhoods.
www.governorsclub.com/
Governors Club Pro Shop: (919) 918-7214

OCCONEECHEE GOLF CLUB
1500 Lawrence Road, Hillsborough, NC (Located near I-85 and the interchange with U.S. 70).
The Occoneechee Golf Club is a challenging 18-hole course located near the historic town of Hillsborough, minutes from Chapel Hill.
www.occoneechee.com/
(919) 732-3435.

THE PRESERVE AT JORDAN LAKE GOLF CLUB
The Preserve at Jordan Lake golf course is adjacent to Jordan Lake.  Designed by PGA Tour Champion Davis Love III, the course integrates the natural terrain to create a beautiful setting for golf players of many skill levels.
www.thepreserve.ws/golf.html
(919) 545-8811.

SOUTHWICK (PUBLIC) GOLF COURSE
3136 Southwick Drive Graham, NC 27253.
Southwick Golf Course is an 18 hole public golf course sited on the banks of the Haw River, boasting beautiful views and a challenging game.  Southwick also offers two, week-long junior golf camps twice a year for boy and girls, ages 8 to 17, regardless of skill level. Each student receives 20 hours of supervised instruction by veteran PGA Professionals Mark Hopkins and Scott Perry, among others.  Click here for more information. 
www.southwickgolf.com/
Pro Shop: (336) 227-2582 

UNC's FINLEY GOLF COURSE
UNC Finley is an enjoyable course for all levels of skill.  For more information, visit www.tarheelblue.collegesports.com/finley/unc-finley.html

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BULL CITY GYMNASTICS
4324 S. Alston Ave. #103, Durham, NC
New 14,000-square-foot gymnastics facility in Durham offers recreational classes for boys and girls ages 18 months and up.  (Competitive Team levels 4 through elite).
(919) 544-6021.

CHAMPION CHEER & DANCE  (further afield) Raleigh, NC
Offers All-star competition teams (K-12), cheerleading classes (K-12), private lessons, tumbling classes, squad choreography and more.  Participants are ages 5 to 19.
www.championcheer.com
(919) 851-5436.

GYMCAROLINA GYMNASTICS ACADEMY 
(further afield) 9321 Leesville Rd., Raleigh,  NC  27613
Gymnastics classes for children 12 months - teens, Summer Camps, Tumble & Cheer Camps, Birthday Parties
www.gymcarolina.com
(919) 848-7988.

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CARRBORO YOGA COMPANY
Now offering Youth Tai Chi classes for children ages 8-12 and 13-17.  Also offers yoga classes for beginners and pros, including classes for children ages 3-8 and Mommy and Baby Post-Natal Yoga.  Click link for the class schedule and more information.
Carr Mill, 200 N. Greensboro St., Suite D1.
www.mycyco.com 
(919) 933-2921

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Please see the CHillKids Guide to Kids' Classes & Activities for music lesson listings.

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 Please see the CHillKids Guide to Parks & Playgrounds.

Chapel Hill Community Center Parent-Tot Morning Extravaganza (in the Community Center gymnasium)
Monday - Friday, 10am - Noon through April 21; Free.
Toys are available for toddlers to play with, and you can also bring your own toys that won't scratch the floor.
(919) 968-2716

Carrboro Century Center Toddler Preschool Playtime (for children 5 years old and younger) in the Century Hall.
Tuesdays, 10am - 11:30am through May 16 (no playtime on March 7); $2 per child
Tumbling mat, toys, and music provided; also some directed activities.

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CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO YMCA
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA offers several children’s programs including half-day preschool, YMCA children's center, after-school day care, Y-Guides and Y-Princesses, and summer day camps.
980 Airport Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
www.chcymca.org

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Morehead Planetarium at UNC
The Morehead Planetarium in downtown Chapel Hill offers numerous planetarium shows and exhibits for children and adults.  The Planetarium's "Magic Tree House® Space Mission" show is great for kids 5-12 and their families; the Sol & Company show is recommended for younger children up to age 7; the Carolina Skies and Cielo Carolina (Spanish language version of Carolina Skies) shows are recommended for adults and children 8 and up (not recommended for younger children); the Sky Safari show is recommended for ages 10 and up; the Star of Bethlehem (annual seasonal show through January 2nd) is suited for adults and students in grades 5-8.  The Planetarium also has a great gift shop offering distinctive educational gifts, space and science books and other unique merchandise.  (For more gift shop info call 843-7997).

New in Spring 2005:  Lego Laboratory open on Weekends (Saturdays 11 am–4 pm and Sundays 1 pm –4 pm).

250 E. Franklin St., Downtown Chapel Hill.
www.moreheadplanetarium.org
Info hotline: (919) 549-6863
Main office and reservations: (919) 962-1236

 

Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Avenue, Durham, North Carolina 27704.  www.ncmls.org
(919) 220-5429.

Click for map and directions.
The Museum of Life and Science in Durham is a wonderful place for children and families.  The Museum features both outdoor and indoor fun, including a large playground area (Loblolly Park), train ride (Elerby Creek Railway), farmyard animals, Carolina wildlife nature park,  aerospace, geology, discovery rooms, small science, and the Magic Wings Butterfly House, a glass-enclosed tropical garden with butterflies from Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.  The Museum also features traveling exhibits throughout the year; held over until June 2005 is "Building Fun: The World of KAPLA," described on the Museum's website as "an innovative exhibit of Dutch-created, French-made building blocks that use just one plank shape, meaning you can create and build without sorting or planning. Families can create beautiful, fun and innovative structures -- bridges, castles, domes, houses, roofs, bugs and animals. The sky’s the limit! "

New exhibit opens February 12 and runs through May 1, 2005:  MEMORY:  Why do you remember what you remember and forget what you forget?  Memory exhibit explores the fascinating subject of human memory with the following eight themes: The Senses, Remembering What’s Meaningful, Forgetting, Faces, Remembering Without Thinking, The Brain, Memory Journal and Shared Memories.  Hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, sounds and taste and smell explore the biological, psychological and cultural aspects of human memory.

Admission to the entire Museum including Magic Wings is $8.50 adults, $7.50 seniors age 65 and older, $6.00 children ages 3-12, and free for ages under 3. Reduced adult admission of $7.50 for military personnel with military ID. Train rides are an additional $1.50 per person.

 

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC  27601-1029. 

Highlights include Willo, "the world's only dinosaur with a fossilized heart"; the "Terror of the South,"the only Acrocanthosaurus skeleton displayed anywhere in the world; "Mountains to the Sea," an exhibit re-creating five North Carolina habitats, complete with live animals and a 20-foot high waterfall; great whale skeletons; and numerous special exhibits throughout the year.  Currently on exhibit through June 12, 2005 is "Treasures Unearthed:  North Carolina's Spectacular Gems and Minerals," 'the largest, most comprehensive collection of North Carolina’s gems and minerals ever displayed."  'The exhibit features some of the world's largest emeralds and the first gold coins minted in the U.S., and a recreated walk-through gold mine and a collection of historic mining tools.  Admission fee for "Treasures Unearthed; $3 adults, $2 students; $2 children ages 5-11.  All tickets $2 on First Fridays after 5pm.  On the first Friday of each month the Museum hosts a "First Friday" event, including a free "Natural Horror Picture Show," along with exhibits, shopping, and food from 5 - 9 pm.  (Movie starts at 7 pm).  Visit the Museum's calendar of special events for children for more family fun.

www.naturalsciences.org
(919) 733-7450 or toll-free (877) 4NATSCI

 

Skate Ranch, (further afield) 2901 Trawick Rd., Raleigh.
www.skateranchofraleigh.com.
(919) 790-3808.

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North Carolina Ski Resorts.  Find information about skiing in North Carolina, including a resort locator, snow reports, and more.
www.goskinc.com/

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Chapel Hill United - now Triangle United Soccer (as of April 2005)
Competitive soccer organization for Challenge soccer in the Chapel Hill area.  There are tryouts each Spring (May-June) to form teams for the following school year (August-May). Players are placed on teams based on ability and age.
www.chapelhillunited.org
(919) 967-8797
http://www.triangleunited.org
(919) 942-1995

Chatham Soccer League
Chatham County residency not required.  Both recreational and competitive leagues available.
www.chathamsoccerleague.org
(919) 542-6544.

Metros Soccer Academy
Soccer camps run by Chapel Hill High School coach Gerry O’Donnell.  The camps utilize the Chapel Hill high school athletic fields and the Woodcroft Soccer Fields (Durham).
www.metros-soccer.com

 

Orange County Soccer at the Chapel Hill/Carrboro YMCA
(Note: Orange County soccer practices and games are all held on Saturdays; in contrast, Rainbow Soccer practice is 3x/week.)

FALL SOCCER 2005
September 17th -Nov. 5th (Saturdays)
Our co-ed fall league will be based on fun and learning. Come join us!!

Divisions (by grade level)
Pre-K (age 3-4)
5yr olds and Kindergarten
1st-2nd grade
3rd-4th Grade, 5th and 6th grade

Registration Dates
Jun.27th Member Registration
Jul. 11th Open (Mem/Non-Mem) Registration
Aug. 1st Late Registration (+$10)
Aug. 8th Deadline

Fees: Members $70; Program Participants $85
http://www.chcymca.org/sports/youthsports.php

Rainbow Soccer
Youth and adult recreational and competitive league soccer organization, soccer camps.  Celebrating its 32nd year!
www.rainbowsoccer.org
(919) 967-8797

 

Smith Soccer Field
Located behind Chapel Hill High School; (A joint project of the Town of Carrboro, Orange County and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School system.).  Open Play for the Spring (through May 31st) is Friday 4:00 pm until Dark.  The field also may be reserved by groups.
(919) 918-7364.

 

UNC Soccer Camps for Boys and Girls
Residential and day summer soccer camps run by UNC Men’s Soccer Coach Elmar Bolowich (Carolina Soccer Camp) and UNC Women's Soccer Coach Anson Dorrance (North Carolina Girls' Soccer Camp).
Web Sites: www.carolinasoccercamp.com (boys) and www.ncgsc.com (girls)

 

Further afield:

Capital Area Soccer League, 3300 Woman's Club Drive, Suite 1, Raleigh , North Carolina, 27612.

www.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?alias=www.bluesombrero.com/caslnc

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Year-Round & Summer Swimming Lessons

Recreational Swimming

Also see Water Fun listings in the CHillKids Year Round Fun guide for more recreational swimming.

Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation Swimming
Chapel Hill Community Center Pool and the A.D. Clark Pool (at Hargraves Recreation Center) 
Leisure Swim swimming classes, Aqua Aerobics Classes, Summer Youth Swim Team, and more.
Chapel Hill Community Center Pool: 120 South Estes Drive, (across from the Main Post Office and University Mall; 1 1/2 miles NE of downtown Chapel Hill ) (919) 968-2790.
A.D. Clark Pool (at Hargraves Recreation Center): 216 Roberson St., Chapel Hill 27516 (2 blocks North of Rosemary St. between downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro.)  (919) 685-1535.

For the pool schedule and classes, check the website or call the Information Hotline (919-685-8316) or contact the Front Desk Attendant (919-968-2790).

Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA
980 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (Historic Airport Rd.), Chapel Hill, NC.
Swim team, free swim, and swimming lessons offered for all ages (classes for children and for adults), in the Spring, Summer and Fall, and a class for infants 6 months to children 3 years old.   Call for information about recreational swimming.
(919) 942-5156.

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
280 State Park Road, Apex, NC 27523.
Lake swimming, hiking, picnicing, boating, camping, bald-eagle watching and more.  $5 fee per car, $3 for senior citizens ages 62 and older, and $10 per bus. Separate fees are charged for picnic shelter reservations and campsites.  Offers a C.A.S.T. learn to fish program (Catch a Sure Thing) for ages 6-12; pre-registration required.  Saturdays, 9:30am-11:30am.
(919) 362-0586.

Meadowmont Swim Club
301 Old Barn Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.
Annual and seasonal memberships available; or swim for the day.  2005 Daily Fee is $8 weekdays, $10 weekends, and $75 for a 10 Admission Pass.  The Meadowmont swimming facilities offer activities for the whole family and include a regulation size lap pool; fun pool with a 98-foot water slide, raindrop and shoreline entry; band shell within the pool deck for entertaining; children's playground; park gazebo; sand volleyball court; basketball goal; a clubhouse with snack bar and kitchen for catered events, and more.  Year-round activities for various ages, including themed summer-camp programs.  Summer camps, birthday party options also available.
(919) 945-0640.

Meadowmont Pool Summer 2005 Pool Hours
(Pool Season begins May 14, 2005.)
June-August 24, Daily, 10am-9pm
August 25-September 2: Weekends, 10am-8pm; Weekdays: 1pm-8pm
September 6-9, 1-7pm
Labor Day 10am-8pm
Weekends in September 10-7pm

See also the Wellness Center at Meadowmont - Aquatics
100 Sprunt St. (off N.C. 54), Chapel Hill, NC.  The UNC membership-based Wellness Center at Meadowmont has two indoor pools (a 5-lane, 25-yard fitness pool and a warm water therapy pool) and offers swimming lessons year-round.
(919) 966-5500.

Stoneridge/Sedgefield Swim and Racquet Club
Swim team, swim lessons, diving boards, summer camp, tennis, croquet, snack bar, clubhouse, basketball.  (Paid membership required).
6901 Turkey Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC.
(919) 967-0915

 

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Carrboro ArtsCenter
300-G East Main St., Carrboro.
(919) 929-2787.
In the Summer of 2005 (July), the Missoula Children's Theatre will come to town and will have 60 local kids (from 1st through 12th grade) perform in a musical production of "The Jungle Book."  July 30, 2005: The Missoula Children’s Theatre presents The Jungle Book; 3 p.m. and 7 pm.  $10, $5 children.

The Carrboro ArtsCenter is looking for contributors to help establish a Children's Performing Arts Conservatory!  For more information, call Lauren Hodge, (919) 929-2787, ext. 203.

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