2024 Summer Guide

Valencia County News-Bulletin Valencia County News-Bulletin Valencia County News-Bulletin Valencia County News-Bulletin

Published May 30, 2024 - 6:00 a.m. Modified May 30, 2024 - 6:00 a.m.

Summer Swimming & Splash

Summer child boy relax at aquapark. Summertime vacation. Little kid swim underwater in pool. Kid wearing summer goggles swims under water in poolside. Underwater photo.

Belen High School Natatorium and outdoor swimming pool

Summer hours begin Monday, June 3

8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Mondays, lap, exercise swim and lessons only

8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, lap, exercise swim and lessons only

First open session

1:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday

Second open session

4:30-6:30 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday

Pool prices (cash only)

5 years old and younger, and spectators: $1

6-12 years old and senior citizens: $2

13-18 years old: $3

Adults: $4

30-day passes (good for one calendar month for one session per day)

5 years old and younger: $15

6-12 years old and senior citizens: $30

13-18 years old: $50

Adults: $65

Family (four members add $14 for each additional member: $90

Adult only 10-visit punch card: $35

Annual and couple prices are also available

Swim lessons

Price: $30 per child (cash only)

Registration for the first session starts Monday, June 3

9 a.m. to noon, Monday-Friday only.

Registration open for the next sessions the week before the session begins at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., only.

Two-week sessions (Monday-Thursday, eight lessons)

Session 1: June 10-20

Session 2: June 24-July 5

Session 3: July 8-18

Advanced beginner/intermediate: 9:30-10 a.m.

Beginners: 10-10:30 a.m., 10:30-11 a.m., 11-11:30 a.m.

Parent and tot: 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

(Ask about adult water aerobic classes)

For more information, call 505-966-1338.

Daniel Fernandez Recreation Center Splash Pad

The Splash Pad at the Daniel Fernandez Memorial Park, 1103 N.M. 314, Los Lunas, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday-Sundays. It is closed on Mondays. The Splash Pad is free to the public and children of all ages are welcome.

No reservations are needed; entrance into the Splash Pad will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. The maximum capacity for the pad is 75 people. There is no attendant on duty and adult supervision of children is required.

Summer Recreation Programs

City of Belen

Registration for the city of Belen’s summer recreation program has begun.

Sign up at the Belen Recreation Center, 305 Eagle Lane. The center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays; and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.

The program is offering sports, arts and crafts, games, field trips and more to children in the first through eighth grades.

The first session is Monday, June 10, through Friday, June 28. The second session is Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 26.

Each session is $150 with $50 off if you register for both sessions. Extended hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. are available for an additional $25 per session.

For more information or questions, call 505-966-2700 or stop by the Belen Community Center.

Valencia County

Registration for the 2024 Valencia County Parks Summer Recreation Program is closed. All spots are full for this year.

Visitors can use the Meadow Lake Community Center, including the indoor games, pool table, giant Jenga and more; as well as the outdoor activities, such as the batting cage with a soft toss machine, play corn hole, tether ball, horseshoes, basketball and use the small playground. There are also picnic tables with shade and barbecue grills.

The center is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Entry and gym access is free.

For more information, contact Jasmine Beltran by phone, 505-866-2033, or email, jasmine.beltran@co.valencia.nm.us.

Village of Los Lunas

Registration for the village of Los Lunas 2024 summer recreation program is closed. All spots are full for this year.

Summer Reading Programs

Bosque Farms Library

Sign up for the summer reading program begins Monday, June 3. The free program encourages people to read weekly and bring their reading log in weekly to the library.

Children who bring in their reading log get a prize, and teens and adults who bring in their logs weekly get entered into a drawing for a grand prize given out at the end of the summer reading program.

The theme is “Adventure Begins at your Library,” and participants can choose whatever they want to read and set their own reading goals.

Events, which all begin at 11 a.m., include:

June 18: Drum performance by Kevin Kinane.
June 20: Farmers market presentation at library. Participants will be given seeds.
June 25: Learn how to make tissue paper flowers.
June 27: Presentation by Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area representatives
July 2: Program featuring a local alpaca farm. Live alpacas will likely be brought.
July 8: Explora representatives will conduct hands-on science activities.
July 9: Visit from De Smet Dairy representatives.
July 11: Hawaiian cultural event.
July 16: Presentation from planetarium taking place at Peralta Methodist Church.
July 18: Bosque Farms Fire Department will bring out their hoses for some water fun as a final celebration.

For a physical copy of the event calendar and for more information, visit Bosque Farms Library, 1455 W. Bosque Loop.

Ongoing family story time at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday; recommended for ages 0-5 at the library.

Los Lunas Public Library

Summer reading program “Adventure Begins at your Library” is open for registration.

At the Summer Reading Kickoff, there will also be registration forms available if you do not come in prior.

The registration for the summer reading kick-off party is set for 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, June 5,

June 6: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Design & Play STEAM Planes (Teens): “Design, assemble, test, and fine tune your straw gliders made from prefabricated wings, weights, and rubber bands.”
June 7: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Black out poetry: Create blackout poetry from old book pages and place art from the National Gallery of Art on the back; pages and markers provided.
June 12: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Rock wall climbing.
June 12: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Natural Wellness for the Modern Family: Join Elena Fredrick at the library as we learn about essential oils, why they are beneficial, and how to use them safely.
June 13: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Bubble Gum Chemistry (Teens): Make your own bubble gum while exploring the amazing properties of polymer and viscoelastic behavior.
June 14: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Pint Size Polka: Enjoy the joyful sounds of polka at the library. Mike Schneider will be performing across the nation including Oklahoma, California, Colorado, Wyoming and many more.
June 20: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., STEAM Lab Open (Teens): Experience what the STEAM lab has to offer including Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Wii, and virtual reality.
June 21: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Craft Together: Stained Wood Wall Decoration, join the library in a community craft and bring clothes to get messy in. Learn how to stain wood in a craft to be displayed at the library for a year when completed.
June 26: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Enjoy the music of Judy Pancoast, Grammy nominee for Best Children’s Album. Her music for families will delight you.
June 27: 10:30-11:30 a.m., AM RVR Cars & Spero Robots (Teens): Programmable robots packed with a diverse suite of sensors, and built for customization. Have fun learning about coding and check out your racing skills.
June 28: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Origami sachet: Learn how to fold an origami bag then stuff it with aromatic material or essential oils.
July 9: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Recycled Paper Making: Get ready to make your own paper from recycled papers. Food coloring and other materials provided to customize your paper.
July 10: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Opera Unlimited: Learn more about opera with a performance from Opera Unlimited. Join us for their performance of Jack and the Beanstalk.
July 11: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Bristlebots (Teens): Make a small robot combining a toothbrush head and a vibrating page monitor. Learn about basic engineering, motors, circuits, and balance principles.
July 17: 10:30-11:30 a.m., OWI Robotics X in I (Teen): Build models that use solar and hydraulic power in harmony while learning about renewable energy, green technologies and robotics.
July 18: 10:30-11:30, Exotics of the Rainforest: Experience animals from the rainforest at the library. See parrots, reptiles, and amphibians from the tropical rainforests and deserts of the world!
July 23: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Tea Tasting Tuesday: Bring your tea cup and saucer for a variety of teas, honey sticks and sugar cubes.
July 24: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Smokey Bear Activities with Los Lunas Firefighters: Join the Los Lunas Firefighters in Smokey Bear activities provided by the New Mexico State Library.
July 25, 10:30-11:30 a.m., STEAM Lab Open (Teens): Experience what the STEAM lab has to offer including Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Wii, and virtual reality.

Belen Public Library

The theme for Belen summer reading program is “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” which runs from June 10 to July 26 and is open to all ages.

The library will provide weekly prizes for all age groups if they show progress in their reading log.

There will be a photography contest for kids (ages 5-15) and adults (16 and older). Entries accepted June 24 to July 15. Categories include library buildings, libraries in action, reading is an adventure and travel. For more information visit the website, belen-nm.gov/belen-public-library/.

Family Friendly Fridays

June 14: 1 p.m.: Biopark at the Library
June 21: 1 p.m.: Local endangered species, hear from folks representing the Los Lunas Silvery Minnow Refugium.
June 28, 1 p.m.: Art night, decorate a bookend for the library.
July 5, 1 p.m.: Local folklore guest speaker, Joan Artiaga.
July 12, 1 p.m.: Learning from Life, Martin Luther King Jr. featuring guest speaker Geneva Nixon
July 26, 3 p.m.: Celebrating the end of the summer reading program with a movie. The 2024 photography contest winner will also be announced then.

Adult summer reading programs:

Bingo board, June 10 to July 26
Instead of filling out a traditional reading log, adults are invited to check off weekly reading goals suggested by the bingo sheet reading log.
Adult Silent Book Club, starting Wednesday, June 12, meeting from 2-4:30 p.m., every Wednesday: Experience a stress-free book club, where you can unwind, eat a treat and engage in conversation about your favorite reads with like-minded people, free from pressure.

On-going