Activities & Programs

The Waconia Area Senior Center offers activities, classes, and programs for a wide variety of ages, groups, and interests. Registration only required for highlighted events. Please click on the links next to the events to register.

Arts & Crafts

Weekly Events

Are you looking for a bridge game? Well here it is! We are starting an intermediate social/rubber bridge group. It is a great way for seniors to meet and keep their mind alive. No need to sign up. Walk in and play, no partner needed. Overall aim is to enjoy yourself!

Thursdays 12:30pm

*Starting Feb. 5,

the start time moves to 12pm*

Weekly Events

BINGO

Join us for classic and Yahoo BINGO.

Wednesdays
12:30pm

Come and enjoy your favorite board games with your friends! Channel your competitive spirit and enjoy the element of chance.

Thursdays

10am

Board Games

Bridge

Cribbage: Learn & Play

A card game, usually for two players, in which each player tries to form various counting combinations of cards. Each player receives six cards, and the score is kept by moving pegs on a narrow rectangular board. Beginners and experts are invited to play.

Tuesdays

10am

Games of Choice & Card Games

Drop in to join a variety of card games including: Hand & Foot, 500, and Kings Corner.

Check out the upcoming new games!

Wednesday, Jan. 7 10:30-11:30am Left Center Right

Mondays & Wednesdays

10am

Mahjong:
Learn & Play

Beginners and experts are welcome! Mahjong is a tile-matching game where players race to create a winning hand before their opponents. The game is played with a set of 144 tiles that depict Chinese characters, symbols, dots, bamboo, winds, dragons, flowers, and seasons. The goal is to form four sets and one pair, also known as a meld and an eye, respectively. Mahjong sets provided by the Senior Center.

Mondays

12:45pm

Mexican Train Dominoes

Mexican Train is a game played with dominoes. The object of the game is for a player to play all the tiles from his or her hand onto one or more chains, or trains, emanating from a central hub or "station". The game's most popular name comes from a special optional train that belongs to all players. Dominoes provided by the Senior Center.

Tuesdays

10am

Cards & Games at the Waconia Senior Center

Books & Reading

Fitness & Health

Sheephead: Learn & Play

Sheepshead is a trick-taking card game, often called American Schafkopf, played with a deck of 32 cards (7-A of each suit). It typically involves 4 players, but variations exist for 2-8 players. The game revolves around trick-taking and point-gathering, with a goal of reaching 61 points to win a hand.

Tuesdays

10am

Monthly Events

Advanced Care Planning Presentation

Learn about advanced care planning-the importance of putting your wishes in writing and appointing someone to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make your wishes known.

Thursday, Jan. 15th

1-2pm (Oak Room)

Nutrition Presentation

Tuesday, Jan. 20th

10:30-11:30am (Oak Room)

Join Andrew Akhaphong, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian, for our monthly nutrition topic “Mind Matters: Strategies for Mental Health and Resilience.” Discover how what you eat can strengthen your mind as much as your body. This presentation explores the powerful connection between nutrition and mental well-being, offering practical tips to boost mood, reduce stress, and support long-term resilience. Learn which foods nourish the brain, how to build balanced meals that promote emotional stability, and simple habits that can help you feel your best every day.

Call 651.829.3944 to schedule your appointment at Safari Island.

Healthy feet enable you to maintain mobility and independence. Regular foot care is important for increased comfort and improved overall well-being. Registered nurses provide the following services: assessment of feet and skin, trim toenails, manage fungal nails, reduce corns/callus, and diabetic foot care.

Tuesday, Jan. 20th

8am-4pm

Cost: $75

Foot Clinic

Keep In Balance

One of the main risk factors for falling is poor balance! Using a chair for support this 60-minute class will use a variety of exercises that target your balance and lower body strength! (Classes are provided by Safari Island Community Center. Members of Safari Island can attend class for free. Non-members pay a $5 fee. Not registered as a member of Safari Island? Most insurances provide a FREE membership. Please contact Kristi Sherlock at 952.442.3105 or ksherlock@waconia.org to see if you qualify!)

Wednesday, Jan. 21st

10:30-11:30am

Fun & Games

Craft Projects: Color Your Own Mandala Coaster

Thursday, Jan. 22nd

10am-12pm

Come & enjoy craft therapy and socializing!!

Unleash your creativity with this relaxing DIY craft! Each coaster features a beautiful mandala outline ready to be brought to life with your favorite markers or paints. This project combines mindfulness and artistry while creating a functional piece you can use or gift. Enjoy a calming coloring experience and end with a unique, personalized coaster that adds a pop of color to any space. All materials will be provided. Limit to 12 people. Please bring your fee with you the day of the event!

Line Dancing

Grab your friends and let’s get together for a little fun and exercise! Line dancing is a low impact activity which provides an excellent therapeutic exercise for our body, mind, and soul. You will learn a variety of line dancing steps to current and classic country music, as well as pop and rock! You will progress from basic to more advanced steps. Reserve your spot online today. Classes are offered by Jane Breeggemann. Jane has taught for over 10 years, to beginners of all ages. She loves to share her passion of line dancing. “Remember life may not be the party that we hoped for...but as long as we are here we should dance.”

Thursday, Jan. 22nd

1:30-2:30pm

SilverSneakers Chair Yoga

Move your body through a series of seated and standing yoga poses. Chair support helps you safely perform a variety of postures designed to increase flexibility and improve balance and range of motion. Restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation promote stress reduction and mental clarity. (Classes are provided by Safari Island Community Center. Members of Safari Island can attend class for free. Non-members pay a $5 fee. Not registered as a member of Safari Island? Most insurances provide a FREE membership. Please contact Kristi Sherlock at 952.442.3105 or ksherlock@waconia.org to see if you qualify!)

Monday, Jan. 26th

10:30-11:15am

Donuts with Meals on Wheels

Join us for a warm and welcoming gathering with coffee, donuts, and great company as we meet with Karen Shambour from the Meals on Wheels program in Waconia. Learn how the program supports local seniors, discover ways to get involved, and enjoy a relaxed morning connecting with neighbors and community partners.

Monday, Jan. 26th

11:30am-12:30pm

Thursday, Jan. 27th

11:30am-12:30pm

SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life)

SAIL is an evidence based strength, balance,

and flexibility fitness program for adults 65+ focusing on falls prevention. You’ll be stronger, have better balance, feel better, and it will help you stay independent and active and prevent falls. The fitness class includes warm-up, aerobics, balance, strength training, and stretching exercises that can be done in a

seated or standing position. The instructors are experienced and skilled and exercises have bene tested with seniors!

Prohibition: A Grand Misadventure

In 1920, the U.S. entered a period during which the manufacture, sale and transport of intoxicating beverages was prohibited. As it turned out, the U.S. also entered a period of lawlessness and corruption, unequaled in its history. Many Prohibition supporters felt the passage of the 18 th Amendment would bring about law and order and restore the family. However, numerous unintended consequences make this period one of the most fascinating misadventures of all time.

Tuesday, Jan. 27th

12:30-1:30pm

Birthday Parties

Celebrate all birthdays during the month with an ice cream social!

Wednesday, Jan. 28th

Poetry Group

Celebrate the beauty of winter and the promise of a fresh start at this themed poetry gathering. Enjoy a refreshing beverage as we explore poems about snow, renewal, and the spirit of new beginnings. Whether you choose to read aloud or simply listen, come share the joy of experiencing poetry the way it’s meant to be—together.

Thursday, Jan. 29th

11:30am-12:30pm

(Oak Room)

Waconia Trivia

Join us for our monthly trivia event. Each month we will pick a different theme. This month’s theme...WaconiaTrivia. Test your hometown knowledge! From local history and landmarks to fun facts, famous faces, and community favorites, you’ll compete to see who really knows Waconia best. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or just love the area, come enjoy a relaxed, friendly afternoon of laughs, learning, and a little small-town pride.Compete against your friends to get the correct answer in the fastest time. All you need to bring is your phone and your knowledge!

Thursday, Jan. 29th

12:30-1:30pm

Weekly Card Games at the Waconia Senior Center

Senior Strength Exercise Classs

This is a total body workout with a focus on strengthening the core and limbs while amplifying the body’s movement through stretch, improving overall balance, posture, muscle tone and mobility. By learning how to move the body in a healthy way, one can reduce pain, improve body awareness, avoid injury and reinforce proper movement principles. (Classes are provided by Safari Island Community Center. Members of Safari Island can attend class for free. Non-members pay a $5 fee. Not registered as a member of Safari Island? Most insurances provide a FREE membership. Please contact Kristi Sherlock at 952.442.3105 or ksherlock@waconia.org to see if you qualify!)

Monday, Feb. 2nd

11am-12pm

(Council Chambers)

Alzheimer's Association: Building Foundations of Caregiving Presentation

Building Foundations of Caregiving is an informative class that explores the role of the caregiver and the changes they may experience along the journey. Participants will learn how to build a strong support team and discover practical strategies to manage caregiver stress while maintaining their own well-being.

Monday, Feb. 2nd

1-2pm

(Maple Room)

Book Club

Join us for a discussion of the book “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles. This 2021 historical fiction novel is about four young men on an unexpected road trip across America in 1954, starting in Nebraska and heading toward New York City instead of their intended destination of California. The story follows 18-year-old Emmett Watson, recently released from a juvenile work farm, who plans to start a new life with his younger brother, Billy, but their plans are derailed by two friends from the farm, Duchess and Woolly, who have their own agenda, leading to a journey filled with adventure, heartache, and self-discovery.

Tuesday, Feb. 3rd

1pm

Presentations & Special Events

Dementia Care Ecosystem Presentation

Wednesday, Feb. 4th

10:30am-12pm

The Care Ecosystem is a free dementia care navigation program designed to support individuals living with dementia, their caregivers, and those living alone. Through six primary areas, including medication review, behavior support, and caregiver well-being, the program helps reduce overall care cost, ER visits, and hospitalizations. It is available across the seven-county metro area and offers ongoing guidance and connection to community resources so families can feel supported every step of the way while their loved one remain at home for as long as possible.

Class of '65

Meet other “65ers” to connect and reminisce!

Thursday, Feb. 5th

10am

Thursday, Feb. 5th

11:30am-12:30pm

SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life)

SAIL is an evidence based strength, balance,

seated or standing position. The instructors are experienced and skilled and exercises have bene tested with seniors!

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra: Express Concert

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Express Concert: Bach's Second Orchestral Suite: This one-hour concert bubbles with life, from sparkling flutes to spirited strings. Featuring music that dances and delights, the program highlights the lively energy of Baroque music, including the virtuosic influences of Italian contemporaries like Scarlatti, Geminiani and Corelli on the development of Bach. With a playful energy akin to a flute concerto, Bach’s second orchestral suite, one of the musical throughlines of our 2025.26 season is paired with Geminiani’s violin sonata. Originally written for violin and harpsichord, this program features a new, captivating arrangement by SPCO Concertmaster Steven Copes. Whether you're new to Baroque music or a longtime fan, this program offers an invigorating dose of beauty, motion and joy.

Bussing will be provided and will leave the Senior Center at 10am and bring you to Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie. The concert will start at 11am and last approximately one hour. You will depart Wooddale Church at 12pm for lunch at Lion's Tap. Lunch is not provided in the cost of this event. The bus will leave the restaurant at 1:15pm and arrive at the Senior Center at 2pm. Tickets are limited to 15! Make sure to reserve your spot today by January 23rd. (Price includes tickets to the concert and transportation.)

Friday, Feb. 6th

10am-2pm

Quilting Group

All quilters, including beginners, are invited to join this group each month.

Monday, Feb. 9th

10-11:45am

SilverSneakers Chair Yoga

Monday, Feb. 9th

11:45am-12:30pm

Speaking Up & Speaking Out: Living Boldly at Any Age

Jean Ketcham is the co-founder of Aging But Dangerous, an international movement inspiring women to embrace life with strength, passion, and humor. At 85, Jean continues to redefine what it means to age - encouraging audiences everywhere to challenge stereotypes, live authentically, and celebrate themselves fully.

Join us for:

A mix of humor, storytelling, and inspiration.
Practical insights on confidence, self-advocacy, and embracing aging.
Audience interaction and laughter - lots of it!
A renewed sense of courage and joy about growing older.

Monday, Feb. 9th

1-2pm

Thursday, Feb. 10th

11:30am-12:30pm

SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life)

SAIL is an evidence based strength, balance,

seated or standing position. The instructors are experienced and skilled and exercises have bene tested with seniors!

Personal Technology Support

Our volunteer can help you:

Troubleshoot device settings or errors
Find and use helpful device features
Manage online security and safety
Download and manage applications
Virtually connect via Zoom or Facetime

Bring your device with you.

Tuesday, Feb. 10th

12-2pm

Geneaolgy Resources

Have you ever wondered where your ancestors lived, what they did, or how exactly they fit in the family tree? Looking into your family history can be daunting and there are a lot of resources out there for researching. The Carver County Historical Society is one of those resources – in fact, it’s what our Research Library was first made to be. Join us to learn about the many different resources housed at the CCHS from newspapers on microfilm to large tax ledgers we keep in the archive. After all, there’s no better place to start your search into your family history than the place they called home!

Tuesday, Feb. 10th

1:30-2:30pm

Valentine's Sundaes & Smoothies

Wednesday, Feb. 11th

11am-12pm

Roses are red. Violets are blue. This Valentine's Party is waiting for you! Come and celebrate the holiday of LOVE and share a "sweet" treat with friends, while playing some fun games. Wear red or pink for a chance to win a prize!

Arm Chair Travel Adventure

This Valentine’s Day, fall in love with travel alongside Mickey & Minnie! Join us for an enchanting journey to Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney, Disneyland California and Walt Disney World. Discover what makes each park unique, explore their must-see attractions and indulge in some truly delightful treats-all while dreaming up your next adventure with our travel club. This magical adventure will be presented by Jen Friesen, HR & Communication Coordinator for the City of Waconia.

Thursday, Feb. 12th

11am-12pm