
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
ECD is an ideal low-impact exercise that engages your body, mind, and spirit. Plus, it's a great way to socialize and make new friends. Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
Sliding Scale $7 - $10
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.
Sound Meditation, also known as a Sound Bath, utilizes the therapeutic application of sound frequencies and vibrations to provide a powerful and gentle way to shift consciousness and enhance well-being. It is an opportunity to embrace mindful practices and reconnect with our inner selves.
ECD is an ideal low-impact exercise that engages your body, mind, and spirit. Plus, it's a great way to socialize and make new friends. Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
Sliding Scale $7 - $10
In this workshop, you will learn all about the mysterious and beautiful artistic process known as cyanotype. Over the course of three hours, you will learn the history of the process and how to create your own Prussian blue botanical prints.
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.
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.
ECD is an ideal low-impact exercise that engages your body, mind, and spirit. Plus, it's a great way to socialize and make new friends. Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
Sliding Scale $7 - $10
Featured Classes & Programs
Health and Wellness
6 Tuesdays
July 15 - Aug 19
6:30am - 7:15am
6 Classes - $90
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!
KIDS
Monday
July 7
9:30 - 10:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 3-6 with a caregiver
Join us for a fun and educational adventure all about woodpeckers! We'll enjoy a lively book reading, learn how to identify different woodpecker species, explore their nesting habits and their unique sounds with a hands-on sensory activity.
Monday
July 14
10:00 - 11:00 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 1-5 with a caregiver
Set up in stations, kids will have full autonomy to move from one sense to another at their leisure. We always end with a taste test!
If the weather cooperates, we'll be outside on the lawn. Water play may be involved — an email will go out the day before with specifics.
Wednesday
July 16
10:00 - 10:45 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 2-5 with a caregiver
This workshop will introduce teaching artist Ms. MaryKate and her journey of imagination and creativity as littles engage in hands-on craft activities. She'll be doing a Fall session, so come check her class out this summer. Dress for potential creative mess!
Wednesday
July 23
9:30 - 10:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 0-12 months with a caregiver
WEE Chat: Speech & Language Development through Song, Stories & Play! A workshop for parents and caregivers to discover the wonders of infant and toddler communication development. Babies ages newborn – 1 year will engage in songs, stories, and play during our time together. Developmental information and strategies will be provided for the caregivers.
Wednesday
July 23
10:30 - 11:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 1-2 with a caregiver
WEE Chat: Speech & Language Development through Song, Stories & Play! A workshop for parents and caregivers to discover the wonders of infant and toddler communication development. Toddlers ages 1 - 2 years will engage in songs, stories, and play during our time together while developmental information and strategies will be provided for caregivers.
Monday
July 28
9:30 - 10:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 18 months - 3 years with a caregiver
This playful, interactive class encourages your child to move, groove, and discover their own unique rhythm, all while having a wild, animal-filled adventure!
Monday
July 28
10:30 - 11:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 3 -5 years
Leap into the world of dance! Little Dancers is a joyful and creative movement class designed for preschoolers to explore the basics of dance through play, music, and imagination. Using fun props, exciting music, and playful exercises, little dancers will twirl, jump, and shimmy in a supportive and engaging environment.
Wednesday
July 30
9:30 - 10:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 1 - 4 years with a caregiver
Music & Me dives into summer with all kinds of splashy fun in keeping with our theme Under the Sea. Explore the many wondrous animals under the sea through music, movement and make believe!
Wednesday
July 30
10:30 - 11:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 0 - 12 months with a caregiver
Theme: Baby Whale. A gentle, joyful time to connect, relax, and be with baby. Nurture your little one’s early development through playful songs, fingerplays, instruments and soft props, simple movement and dancing.
Monday
Aug 4
9:30 - 10:30 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 2 - 5 years with a caregiver
Theme: Beach Day. Get ready for colorful, creative fun in this sunny, soupy summer adventure! Young artist creators will enjoy exploring painting and mixed media using playful tools and materials that spark their imaginations — all inspired by the sights, sounds, and textures of a day at the beach.
Wednesday
Aug 6
9:30 - 10:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 18 months - 3 years with a caregiver
Come dance, sing and play music with Ms. Bethanne. For toddlers and their caregivers, this is an interactive movement and music workshop that uses stories, props and instruments to engage the busiest of little bodies!
Wednesday
Aug 6
10:30 - 11:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 2.5 years - 3.5 years
Peek into Miss Bethanne’s magic trunk to discover our special theme for this class. Then join us as we use songs, books, props and imagination to inspire creative movement and dance.
Thursday
Aug 14
9:30 - 10:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 18 months-3 years
Come dance, sing and play music with Ms. Bethanne. For toddlers and their caregivers, this is an interactive movement and music workshop that uses stories, props and instruments to engage the busiest of little bodies!
Thursday
Aug 14
9:30 - 10:15 am
1 Class - $15 kid/caregiver; $5 additional children
Ages 3-5 years
Join Ms. Bethanne and her magic movement trunk! Tap, flap, sauté and bourée! This class is designed to teach students basic dance vocabulary while exploring movement through improvisation, storytelling and individual creativity.
Fridays
April 25 - June 6
4:00-5:30 pm
7 Weeks - $175
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
Thursdays
Jan 9 - Apr 3
4:00 - 5:30 pm
13 Classes - $325
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
Apr 5 - May 31 (no class 5/24)
6:00 - 9:00 pm
8 Classes - $200
Calling all Dungeons & Dragons... the role-playing game that can go on forever! Our Dungeon Masters are ready to teach new players the basics of the game and keep seasoned players on their toes! Head into our Spring campaign!
Ages 12-17
Senior Citizens
July 9
Wednesday, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Improve your balance with a yoga! Led by Mary Thompson, PAC Center Director of Adult Programs and Health & Wellness, we will explore how and why aging affects our balance, how critical it is to maintain mobility and independence, and how we can improve balance using a gentle yoga practice suitable for all participants.
July 16
Wednesday, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Using vintage rugs salvaged from Paulson's Rugs in Swarthmore, we will make functional coasters for your hot beverages to protect your furniture, or to gift to a friend. Join us in making something old new again!
July 23
Wednesday, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Seeking a creative escape with a gentle framework? Paint by numbers offers the guidance you desire to let your imagination wander freely through a vibrant artistic process. Craft a masterpiece you'll be delighted to display.
July 30
Wednesday, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Join us in making a pressed flower bookmark! The results are beautiful to slide into your latest read, and it makes the perfect handmade gift for any book lover in your life. Stay for the lively conversation and tasty community lunch. Open and free to all area senior citizens
August 6
Wednesday, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Create your own unique tote bag using paint and graphic stencils. Your new bag will be perfect for everyday use or a quick trip to the grocery store.
August 13
Wednesday, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
This week is all about exploring our creativity with air dry clay. Mold and shape the clay into anything your imagination can conjure up. Work the clay while caring for your body and spirit. In just one day, after it's fully dried, you'll have a one-of-a-kind creation to proudly display.