Self-defense skills can help us all feel more safe, prepared, and confident in our daily lives. Pine River Library is offering "Self-Defense 101" from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. This course for ages 13 and older will be taught by Shiann Swapp, an instructor at the Durango Martial Arts Academy.
Swapp, who has a purple belt in kickboxing and Brazilian jiu jitsu, will teach leverage, technique, and timing so almost anyone, regardless of age or their athletic ability, can use these techniques and make them work against larger opponents. She will focus on basic ground defense (how to defend yourself if you get knocked to the ground), grip breaking, and grip diverting, as well as some other basic techniques like escaping choke holds.
"Learning self-defense gives you more than just the skills to defend yourself, it builds confidence, self-respect, self-discipline, improves physical conditioning, and overall creates a positive influence in your life," Swapp said.
There is a registration fee of $20 for this course and pre-registration is required. Call 884-2222 or stop by the library information desk to sign up.
San Juan Mountains Association is offering teens a free backpacking trip for ages 13 to 17 on July 19 - 21. Teens will learn valuable backcountry skills as well as train to become Wilderness Information Specialists. The trip will be on the Elk Creek Trail in the Weminuche Wilderness. This free trip is designed for all ability levels but participants will need to carry most of their own supplies. There will be side hike options, backcountry skill lessons, and time to splash in the creek. The guide, MK Gunn, offers 10 years of guiding experience and is a Certified Interpretive Guide.
There is a mandatory planning meeting 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the evening of July 17. For more information, call Gunn at 759-9113 or email MK@sjma.org.
Do-it-yourself miniature fairy house construction will be taught at Ignacio Community Library. The classes will be from 1 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 15 and June 22.
Participants will use plastics bottles, cups, sticks, bark, rocks, and sea shells.
For more information, call the library at 563-9287.
Navajo State Park invites the public to special programs this weekend that teach outdoor skills and knowledge of the natural world.
From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 10, there will be a beginning archery class for kids ages 6 and up. Meet at the amphitheater.
At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, participants can learn about a butterfly's life cycle while making fun crafts. All ages are welcome to attend. Meet at the pavilion next to the Visitor Center.
The programs are free with the purchase of a $7 daily pass per vehicle or an annual pass for $70. All materials and gear will be provided.
For more information, call Navajo State Park at (970) 883-2208.
Ignacio Community Library offers English as a Second Language class Tuesdays at 4:15 p.m.
Participants do not need to attend every week to benefit. The class works through conversational English, so participants can join in when they can.
For more information, call the library at 563-9287.
Pine River Valley Baptist Church will host Neighborhood Bible Time from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from June 12-16, for ages three years through sixth grade.
A teen group for middle school and high school teens is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. starting June 10 through Thursday, June 15. Registration starts a half hour before the starting days. Pine River Valley Baptist is located at 11942 State Highway 172 near Ignacio. For more information, call 884-9481.
A class that explains Colorado boating regulations and overall safety on the water will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon on June 17 and July 22 at the Durango Fire and Rescue training facility, 142 Sheppard Drive in Bodo Park.
The class will be taught by Michael Badger, a former firefighter and paramedic who has been teaching boating safety class for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for nearly 20 years. The class will be informative for everyone, even those experienced with power boats. It's especially helpful for those just getting started.
"Most boating accidents are a result of operator error," he said. "Safety is everyone's responsibility," he said.
The class will go over legal requirements for boaters, regulations, navigation, boat handling and more.
For more information, contact Badger at (719) 201-3775, or by email at ffmikey214@gmail.com.
