Castle Rock Senior Center

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
• Dining to Donate: This is a monthly Senior Center fundraiser, partnering with local restaurants. They are usually the 4^th Wednesday of the month, but check the newsletter.
• 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 2^nd 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.
• Trips to Restaurants: We plan many outings to area restaurants for brunch, lunch or dinner. See the newsletter each month.

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.
• Legal Presentations: These are held the 4^th 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.
• 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.
• Remembering our Veterans: Presentations are given at meetings held the 1^st Friday of the month at 1:00 PM on topics regarding the military. Jim Pierce, who facilitates our Remembering our Veterans programs.
• Senior Center Newcomer Orientation Meetings: At 9:30 AM on the 2^nd 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.
• 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 – 

• 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.
• Creative Writing: People who want to write or like to write meet at 1:30 PM the 2^nd Tuesday of the month.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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 4^th Thursday at 1:00 PM.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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: Sr League Rules 2022 – Fillable Full Packet
• 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: Bocce Ball Registration 2022 Fillable
• 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: Softball League Registration 2022 – Fillable Form; and to: CR Player 2022 Profile – Fillable Form

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.
• Bingo: Come join in the bingo fun on the 1^st and 4^th Tuesdays of the month at 1:00 PM.
• Bridge Groups: Regular Bridge is played each Monday at 9:15 AM. Marathon Bridge is the 3^rd Tuesday at 1:15 PM (except the winter months), and Duplicate Bridge is on the 4^th 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 4^th 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.
• Casino Trips: We go to Blackhawk or Central City for day trips on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month.
• 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 1^st Thursday morning.
• Mystery Trips: These are held every other month, often on the 2^nd Friday, and are typically something unusual or sometimes not even open to the general public.
• 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.
• 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.
• Theater or Concert Trips: We buy tickets well in advance for a variety of shows at area performing arts venues.

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.