Community & Seasonal Events

No Cost To You Events & Programs

Disc Golf

The Columbus Parks and Rec Disc Golf Course is located in Donner Park. The course is free and open usage from dawn until dusk and has both 9 basket and 18 basket round options. For additional details on our course, course map, and scorecards, please see our course page on UDisc.com.

For course reservations, please send an inquiry to parks@columbus.in.gov

Arts

Holiday Woven Wreath Class

Ages 18+ | November 19 | 5 – 9pm | $49 | Meeting Room A at NexusPark

Check out this holiday spin on our seasonal basket weaving classes! Teachers Pat Carothers and Cindy Shoop will lead participants through the process of creating a lovely woven green wreath, adorned with a candle, faux holly, and a festive holiday bow. Students should bring an old towel, scissors, a small flathead screwdriver, and a spray bottle for water.

Registration: October 8 – November 13, 5pm

Fencing

Beginner Fencing

Ages 7-11, 12+ | The REC at NexusPark | $45 for 3-week sessions, $60 for 4-week sessions

En Garde! Are you ready to discover the historic sport of fencing? Join our partners at the Salle de Lutins Fencing Club for a 4-week session of fencing. Get an introduction and training in a unique and fun Olympic sport! Students will receive instruction on form, technique and how to properly engage in a bout. Equipment can be rented for $20 during the class as well.

Intermediate Sabre

Ages 7-11, 12+ | The REC at NexusPark | $67.50 for 3-week sessions, $90 for 4-week sessions

Join our partners at the Salle des Lutins Fencing Club for a 4-week session of their Intermediate Sabre Program.
Prerequisites:
– Completion of at least one beginner fencing session
– Possession of your own electric sabre equipment
– Possession of a current USFA membership

Teen & Adult

Safe@Home

Ages 9-11 | 3:30-5pm | $10 | The REC at NexusPark

Safe@Home by Safe Sitter® is a 90-minute program designed for students in grades 4-6 to prepare them to be safe when they are home alone. Students learn how to practice safe habits, how to prevent unsafe situations, and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. Students are also introduced to the Safe Sitter® First Aid Chart and learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses. The program is designed to prepare students for their first steps towards independence. Class is led by a certified instructor from the Council for Youth Development.

October 8 | Registration: September 4 – October 2
February 12, 2027 | Registration: October 19 – February 5

Safe Sitter® Babysitter Safety Training

Ages 11-14 | 3:30-5:30pm | $25 | The REC at NexusPark

Is your 6th-8th grade child looking to be more independent at home and perhaps start babysitting for siblings, friends or other families? We’ll explore the characteristics of a good babysitter and cover topics including caring for infants and toddlers, basic first aid and CPR, and what to do in an emergency. Class will be led by a certified Safe Sitter instructor from the Council for Youth Development and CPR and First Aid will be taught by a licensed instructor. Students will receive and be working from the official Safe Sitter® training book.

January 25-28, 2027 | Registration: October 19 – January 20

Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program

Recipients of the Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program can be approved for $200.00 per child per calendar year. If you do not use the full $200.00 by December 31, the balance will go back into the scholarship program. Families can apply each calendar year.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for the Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program, all families must show proof of residency in Bartholomew County and proof that the child is under their care (School document, Medical or Insurance document, Birth Certificate, Social Security card, Hoosier Healthwise card, most recent 1040 with dependents).

Families will also need to show proof of receiving at least one of the following:

• Social Security Supplemental or Disability Income
• Public assistance through the Division of Family Resources, i.e., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Food Stamps
• Free lunch assistance through the local schools
• Public assistance through the City of Columbus Housing Authority
• Hoosier Healthwise Card
  OR
• If a family has foster children in their household, we will need to see foster paperwork.

Guidelines:

• Scholarship Amount – Individuals are eligible for a maximum of $200.00 per child for the calendar year.
• Scholarships will be awarded only as funds are available.
• Children under the age of 18 are eligible for a scholarship.
• Eligible programs – All Parks and Recreation programs. Scholarship does not cover season passes, private instruction, daily admission, equipment rentals and tickets to local events.
• Families residing in Bartholomew County are eligible.
• Scholarships are available for immediate members of a family or foster children who live with the family throughout the year. Scholarships are not available for friends or relatives visiting or staying for a period of time. Scholarships for such individuals should be submitted by the parent/guardian for that family, if applicable.
• Approval of the scholarship is subject to verification of the information provided with the application.
• Applicants will receive notification or approval or denial via phone within 7 business days from the date of the application.
• The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to revoke admission to a facility, program, or activity for misuse or cause.

If you would like to apply, you will need to fill out our scholarship application and email it to parks@columbus.in.gov or return it to NexusPark (2252 25th St – Entrance 2, Columbus, IN 47201) with the eligibility required paperwork above. Call NexusPark (812-376-2680) if you have questions.

Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Application (PDF)

Solicitud de Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship (PDF)

Donate to the Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program