ACTIVITIES

 Adult and Youth Arts & Crafts:
This class incorporates a wide variety of materials including but not limited to recycled items to create pieces that might be used as home decorations, gifts or exercises in personal skill development in techniques appropriate to the various media. Youth Arts & Crafts helps to expose children to different aspects of art.

Quilting:
Quilting is sharing yourself with others.  Dunbar Center welcomes the community to enjoy the weekly exchange of crafty self-expressions.  Our purpose is to solve life's problems while learning new skills and techniques in support of quilting and sewing.  We meet  Mondays, 10:00 am to 2:00, to share ideas and promote the art of quilting and other needlecrafts.
This activity is open to all skills levels.  We pursue individual and group projects.  Beginners are always welcome.  Lunch is an important portion of the day; fellowship and idea sharing are the finishing touches.

Adult and Youth Ceramics:

Molded clay sculptures are created elsewhere and purchased for use in classes by our participants. The pieces are in the “green ware” state which means they have no finishing work done to them. Participants choose their pieces by picking something off the shelf or by pre-ordering.  A teacher provides instruction on proper cleaning to prepare the item for it’s first kiln firing. After firing, the piece is called “bisque”. Next color is added. The student applies stains or glazes using various techniques such as dry or wet brush or antiquing, appropriate to the medium. When the piece has been fully colored, a finishing spray may be applied.

Computer Access:

This is scheduled by appointment. It allows Dunbar membership to have access to a computer which includes Internet opportunities and programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and educational programs covering math, science, art, foreign languages, reference materials, SAT/ACT preparation and much more. Individual instruction on how to use the computer is given by volunteers.

Garden Club:

This activity provides instruction and demonstration on horticultural and related subjects requested by participants. The Club holds an annual plant swap. The instructor is a member of the Master Gardeners of Butler County, under the supervision of Penn State Cooperative Extension Services.

Kids Klub:

This program runs during the school year.  Hours are scheduled daily Monday through Friday immediately after school and Saturdays to provide area youth with a safe alternative to hanging out on the streets or being home alone. They can relax, meet with friends, receive help with their homework or play until their parents get home from work. The program also provides students a chance to establish a relationship with a mentors and role models.

Clogging:

This form of dancing may be performed with actual clogs or tap shoes that create a rhythm by clattering on the floor. Various country or folk dances, including line and partnered steps, are taught to both beginners and the experienced dancer.

Supervised Summer Youth Activities:
These activities are scheduled Monday through Friday, four hours each afternoon.  Special events and activities are planned all summer long to keep area youth happy and busy.  Children can participate in bumper pool tournaments, softball games, arts & crafts and picnics, play board and card games as well as put together jigsaw puzzles, develop new friendships and establish a mentoring relationship with volunteers and staff who have passed a background check with the Pennsylvania State Police.    

Recycling Program:

Please drop off aluminum cans at the center.  They will be recycled.  We are helping our community, the environment and Dunbar at the same time.  The money earned from recycling goes directly to the Center.

Organizational Meetings/Rentals:

Dunbar is often rented for birthday parties, baby showers, anniversary parities and other special events.  It also is great for meetings for clubs or businesses.

Information & Referrals:

There are many brochures and informational materials related to other agencies and organizations in the community available to our participants.  We have phone numbers and addresses that can help with a large variety of topics from health care to employment.  We often refer people to services they need. In stressful times someone is available to do research, function as an advocate and provide needed support and encouragement.

Tutoring:

Tutoring is available from a certified teacher by appointment. In addition to providing homework help and remedial assistance, the tutor is available to serve as an advocate for parents, to provide the best possible education for their child’s needs.

Family Game Night:

2nd & 4th Thursday nights.  Hosted by B.A.F.F.L.E.S. (Butler Autism Family and Friends Lending Encouragement & Support) to families in Butler County, Pennsylvania.  This activity allows children of all ages to interact with each other, enhancing social and motor skills, as well as deductive reasoning and the youth’s ability to work on teams. The goal is to provide structured activities that will be fun and educational. 

Physical Activity Night:

This program is designed to allow the youth the opportunity to work-up a sweat. The goal is to boost their overall physical health by incorporating movement education in fun activities and to hone fine and gross motor skills.

Movie & Snack:

This relaxing period is designed to provide the opportunity for the youths to calm-down after physical activities. It’s plan is to rotate responsibility between the participants and allow each to have a turn being “in charge” of the evening schedule and to act as a “host” to the other participants. The host will bring or help to choose a movie. The host will help prepare and pass out the snacks that are provided by the Center. The goal is to teach social skills. 

Brownies:

This Girl Scout activity is aimed at first through third grade girls. It has four goals for each of its participants: to develop self-potential, to learn how to relate to others, to develop values and to learn how to contribute to society.

Cooking:
4-H guidelines are followed to teach beginners safety in the kitchen and nutritional information. Youth are taught proper techniques for the use of can openers, microwave ovens and conventional stoves. They learn how to safely handle knives and other utensils. Proper handling of food to avoid contamination is taught. Then they learn the social graces of setting the table followed by proper table etiquette. Finally they get to enjoy the snack or meal that has been prepared.

Photography:
Digital cameras (provided by the Center, if needed) are used to teach the mechanics and aesthetics of picture taking for beginners. Students learn how to operate the camera, how to choose subjects and how to present them in the most appealing ways. The pictures are then transferred to the computer where they may be cropped or adjusted prior to printing on paper, magnets, T-shirt transfers or other materials.

Adult Activities
Please contact the Center for exact schedule each season

Monday
Quilting
10 am to 2 pm

PLDCC
Board of Directors Meeting
2nd Monday of each month
7 to 8 pm

Tuesday
Strong Women or Walk in Home in door walking Programs
2 to 3 pm
Scheduled from October through April

Ceramics*
6 to 9 pm

Tai Chi
(spring & fall only)
7 to 8 pm

Wednesday
Clogging+
5:30 to 7:30 pm

Thursday
Ceramics*
10 am to 1 pm

*Electrical work has been completed.  Ceramics is soon to be re-opened.  Contact the center for more information

+Clogging is currently in hiatus.  Please contact the Center for more information about when it will return to schedule

Computer & Internet access
By appointment only

Private Computer Tutoring is available by appointment only

Youth Activities
Please contact the Center for exact schedule each season

Monday through Thursday
Kids' Klub
3:00 to 7:30 pm
Includes homework help component and structured activities.  Specific activities are posted monthly

Friday
Kinder Club
10 to 11:30 am
Introduces three to five year-old pre-scholars to the concepts and recognition of numbers, letters of the alphabet, colors, taking turns and following directions

Kids' Club
3:00 to 8:00 pm
Friday activities are designed to provide socialization and recreation to allow the youth to blow-off steam after the long school week.  Special events are often scheduled such as: Battle of the Bands or Family Night w/Covered Dish Dinners

Saturday
Kids' Club
9 am to 5 pm
This activity of socialization and recreation runs during the school year