
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
Celebrate the summer solstice with an evening of tranquility and renewal in the Scott Arboretum’s outdoor amphitheater at Swarthmore College.
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.
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 for a talk by local artists followed by a hands-on mosaic making class. The pieces created will be included on a new mural at the Swarthmore Co-Op this summer!
*Space is limited to 25 participants per workshop timeslot, pre-registration is required though it is free of cost. Please register below for which timeslot you will be attending. The preceding artist talk is open to all.
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.
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.
Featured Classes & Programs
Health and Wellness
7 Tuesdays
July 8 - Aug 19
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!
5 Mondays
May 5 - June 16 (no class 5/19 and 5/26)
10 - 11 am
5 Classes- $75
Engage all body systems efficiently with this comprehensive movement class. Whether you are recovering from an injury, just out of PT, or aiming to target multiple body systems safely and effectively, this class is designed for you.
KIDS
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
June 18
Wednesdays, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Learn the positive effects essential oils can have on physical and mental wellbeing. Get creative and mix a unique oil blend that is perfect for your needs and scent preferences.
June 23
12:30-2:00 p.m
We’ll learn a bit of World War II history that you may not have heard much about.
June 25
Wednesday, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
When people retire, it's common to face a lack of meaning and purpose in our lives. This workshop will introduce core principles of positive psychology that can help support us during this significant life transition.
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.