Activities

Create yourself.

Whether you’re taking classes for the first time or have been creating for years, there’s always a new medium to master. Art is more than just a learned practice, a skill or form of recreation – it’s about connecting and discovering yourself. Learn more about class offerings in these activities:

• Youth Arts, Crafts & Pottery
• Adult Arts, Crafts & Pottery

Serving up a good time.

Food brings people together. We offer a number of practical cooking, baking and kitchen skills classes. Classes cover everything from prep, snacks, meals, desserts, specialty dinners and cooking basics.

• Adult Cooking & Baking
• Youth Cooking & Baking

Centered on play & making memories.

Whether it’s drop-in session, after school program or day camp, we have a variety of childcare classes exploring a multitude of enriching and fun activities: Day Camps, Spanish, Cooking, Tae Kwon Do, Art, Pottery, Martial Arts, Music, Theatre and much more!

See our Childcare programs to learn more:

• Kids Inc.
• Operation Recreation
• Kids’ Corner
• Busy Buddies
• The PAC at The Pavilion
• Youth Enrichment

Let creativity take root!

Learn new skills and enjoy a healthier life with gardening and DIY classes.

See current class offerings.

Fit for life!

We have over 275+ weekly fitness classes, with everything from cardio to indoor cycling or water fitness.

• See fitness schedules for the Bend Senior Center.
• See fitness and swim schedules for Juniper Swim and Fitness Center.

Specialized Fitness

In addition to regular fitness classes, we offer a range of specialized fitness classes for older adults, including: Stand Tall – Don’t Fall; Strong and Supple Feet; and Seated Yoga.

See current offerings.

Float on!

Gather your friends and family and share the popular Deschutes River floating experience beginning in the Old Mill District and ending at Drake Park in downtown Bend. Before you go, check out our tips below:

• Floating the River
• Floating Safety
• Stewardship

Parking for Floaters:

Park & Float is now closed for summer 2023. Contact Tumalo Creek for rental opportunities, weather-permitting, through the rest of September.

Park & Float is at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way, and has free parking, rental services, access to the river shuttle and more. It’s a convenient one-stop location for a day of river fun. Shuttle rides have a $6 fee.

Parking Options:

Park & Float location at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way. One block south of the whitewater park. (Directions)
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St. (westside) (Directions)
McKay Park, 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. (westside) (Directions)
Miller’s Landing Park, 80 NW Riverside Blvd. (eastside) (Directions)

Ride the River shuttle service: 

The Ride the River shuttle starts and ends at Park & Float, beginning June 17 (weather permitting) and ending on Labor Day. $6 round trip makes transportation easy for river users with shuttles departing every 15-20 minutes from 11 am to 7 pm. Advanced tickets available at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Reservations for 2023 season are no longer available. On your reservation date, check-in at Park & Float for the wrist band valid the entire day.

Parking is available at Riverbend Park, Farewell Bend Park, Miller’s Landing Park and Park & Float (across from The Pavilion). It’s only a block away from McKay Park and about a one-mile walk to Riverbend Park. Please respect neighborhoods, businesses and parking time limits.

We don’t recommend parking at Riverbend Park, floating to Drake Park and then walking back. It’s an option, but the walk back will be about two miles. A better option is parking in “the middle” across from The Pavilion and splitting the walk up to one mile before and one mile after instead.

We also don’t suggest shuttling vehicles as parking is extremely limited and may not even be available in the area by Riverbend Park and/or Drake Park. There is also a new neighborhood parking permit required. 

Let the good times roll!

Bring the whole family out to one of our many free events and programs throughout the year. Free community events include the Days of Play, Let’s Picnic and Discover NatureDays.

Learn more about District outreach events or see the events calendar.

It’s your turn to have fun!

Gather your friends, or make new ones, at the Bend Senior Center for games and other social activities.

Learn more.

Cold play – Drop-in Open Skate for All Ages

Twist, twirl, glide and swirl!  During the winter, join us for open recreational skating for all ages and abilities.

Learn more about details, fees and times.

With inclusion, everybody benefits!

If you or your child has a disability and are interested in participating in a general program, we will help make it happen. When people with disabilities participate in general programs, everybody benefits! To ensure successful inclusion, we encourage you to check the box during registration that says “check here if you want an assessment team to contact you about disability accommodations.” Someone from the Therapeutic Recreation Department will contact you to discuss what we can do to make your experience a success!

All of our recreation programs are inclusive as long as the participant meets the eligibility requirements. Learn More

Let’s talk about it.

Learning another language is like living a new life. Explore your world through a new language. We offer Red Cross babysitter training, language classes and language learning workshops, including conversational practice.

See current offerings.

Find your voice.

Music is the language of the soul.  Whether it’s learning to play an instrument, learning to sing or just learning to appreciate new music, we’ve got something for everyone.

See class current class offerings:

• Adult Music Classes
• Youth Music Classes

You’re greater outdoors.

Whether you’re a bonafide nature bug or just wanting to step outside from time to time, a little adventure (or two) offers the exercise you’re wanting while refreshing the mind. In her own grand and beautiful style, Mother Nature always has a way of making us better, both inside and out.

Here in Central Oregon, there are plenty of ways to get outdoors, such as Hiking, Archery, Rafting, Horseback Riding, Kayaking and Paddleboarding.

Learn more:

• Learn About Outdoor Programs
• What to Bring – Clothing and Equipment

Get Wilderness First Aid Training:

In the Pacific Northwest, adventure is a way of life. We offer basic and advance certification classes in Wilderness First Aid, River Safety and Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, and recertification classes. Learn more.

See Current Offerings

• Adult Outdoor
• Camps – Day & Overnight
• Youth Fishing
• Youth Programs
• Wilderness First Aid Training

When school’s out, fun is in.

We have a variety of fun, enriching classes and camps for the spring, summer, fall and winter. We offer a number of outdoor camps, as well as STEM, art and computer camps.

See current offerings.

Create yourself.

Learn the language of expression. Explore classes in music, dance and acting.

See current class offerings for:

• Adult Performing Arts & Dance
• Youth Performing Arts & Dance

Capture and Connect.

Get connected. It’s never been easier to share and communicate with others. Adults can learn the nuts and bolts or dive deep to master photography, technology, computer or mobile devices. Kids can take fun, STEM-focused classes, such as computer, coding and robotics.

See current class offerings for:

• Adult Technology and Photography
• Youth Science and Technology

Discover. Explore. Create.

Curiosity and exploration are building blocks for fun. We provide a wide variety of STEM-based classes that explore basic coding, robotics, drones and mechanics.

Learn more about our Science, Learning & Technology activities.

See our seasonal offerings.

Limitless ways to play together.

The district provides recreation for people of all abilities. We provide a wide variety of program options that offer opportunities for our participants to engage in activities that promote socialization, skill development, and physical activity.

We offer classes focusing on Cooking, Outdoor, Art, Fitness, Sports and Camping Adventures. Learn More.

• Adult Programs
• Youth Programs
• Adapted Sports

Get in the game with Bend Park & Recreation District adult recreation sports!

Whether a team or individual sport, traditional or upcoming, our sports program is focused on developing skills and sportsmanship in a fun, positive and encouraging atmosphere.

Looking for more than traditional team sports? You’ll find offerings for mixed martial arts, cornhole, fencing, skateboarding, scootering and more.

Learn more:

• Adult Programs
• Youth Sports
• Parents and Coaches Information
• Sports Fields Rentals & Tournaments

Campy McCampface

Make it a summer to remember. Each summer, BPRD hosts over a hundred half-day and full-day youth summer camps.

Explore upcoming youth summer camps on the BPRD registration site or check the summer Playbook.

Explore your world – near & far!

We offer seasonal trips that range from iconic Oregon wonders, like the Columbia River Gorge and Crate Lake, to worldwide destination getaways.

Explore our seasonal offerings.

Looking for Hikes, Camps and Outdoor Adventures? Explore our outdoor programs.

Every journey starts with curiosity.

Walking and hiking are the most intimate ways to explore. This is a great way to get some good exercise and build general fitness while seeing a variety of scenic trails and beautiful locations around Central Oregon.

• Learn About Outdoor Programs
• Learn more about our seasonal offerings.
• Hiking Program Rating System
• What to Bring – Clothing and Equipment

Discovery through play.

Play is the language of childhood. We provide exciting, enriched play experiences for young children that tickle their imaginations, encourage curiosity and allow for self expression. We offer a wide-range of craft, dance, martial arts, music and other classes for infant, toddler and children up to six.

Learn more about our seasonal offerings.