Biking, The Bunny Ride: 8-9a.m. Sundays. Meet at Terra Sol, 542 Harshaw Road, Patagonia. Contact: Aastral Muench, aastralmuench@proton.me. Benefits: Cardio, balance, endurance, weight management Cost: Free. Other info: 10-mile easy ride. Helmets and water required. Bike donations welcomed.

Bocce: 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays. Gazebo, Patagonia Park. Contact: David “Zorro” Fain, radarfain@gmail.com (put bocce inquiry in subject line), 928-380-6570. Benefits: Stress management, light cardio, flexibility. Cost: Free. Other info: You do not have to have your own bocce set to participate.

Circuit Training: Anytime. Patagonia Public School Campus, 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia. Benefits: Strength training, weight management. Cost: Free. Other info: 10 strength-training stations engaging all muscles of the body.

Gratitude Drum Circle: 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Gazebo, Patagonia Park. Contact: Lori Carroll 520-490-4991 (text please). Benefits: Stress management, blood pressure, motor skills, social-emotional resilience. Cost: Free. Other info: If you have a drum, please bring it and a chair. Some of both available. Beginners welcomed.


Mary Sky Schoolcraft, along with David Fain, heads up the Patagonia Community Garden. For older adults, gardening has been identified as an appropriate vehicle in achieving healthy aging. Photo by Carrie White

Gardening: Sunrise to sundown seven days a week. Patagonia Community Garden, 4th and Duquesne avenues, Patagonia. Contact: Mary Sky Schoolcraft, maryskyschoolcraft@gmail.com, 520-510-2851. Benefits: Handgrip strength, balance, flexibility, stress management, blood pressure, dementia. Cost: $5 per month/per container (water, compost & tools provided plus assistance from other gardeners). Other info: You must be willing to volunteer five hours per month to help maintain the garden.

Holistic Organizational Wellness. On demand. Patagonia. Contact: Adam Boyd 330-221-2014, solefultraining.com. Organizational offerings include the Wim Hof Method, Breathwork, Holistic Resilience and Organization Wellness. Benefits: Stress and inflammation reduction, mental resilience, cardiovascular health and boosted immunity. Cost, depending on service, from $25 per person for a single breathwork session to $125 per person for workshops.

Kayaking, Local Yokel Yacht Club: 8-11 a.m. Wednesdays. Meet at Sonoita Creek Campground, 4th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Patagonia. Contact: Aastral Muench, aastralmuench@proton.me. Benefits: Cardio, balance, endurance, strength. Cost: Free. Other info: Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, long-sleeve shirt, hat, snacks, water and, or course, a kayak. Kayak donations welcomed.

Lap Swimming: 8:30-9:45 a.m. and 5-6:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays now through July 26. Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center, 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia. Contact Mia Arochi, marochi@psd0620.org, Kenny Hayes, khayes@psd0620.org. Benefits: Cardio, endurance, blood pressure, flexibility, weight management, lung capacity, balance, stress management, sleep. Cost: $80 season pass (individual) $6 daily pass (age 18 and up) $2 daily pass for teens ages 13-17 and free for children ages 12 or younger, students of Patagonia Public Schools, veterans and firefighters. 

Open Swim: 1-6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays. Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center, 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia. Contact Mia Arochi, marochi@psd0620.org, Kenny Hayes, khayes@psd0620.org. Benefits: The health benefits of open swim depend on how you use your time in the pool. If you are just there to “cool off”, you are getting exposure to vitamin D. Cost: $80 season pass (individual) $6 daily pass (age 18 and up) $2 daily pass for teens ages 13-17 and free for children ages 12 or younger, students of Patagonia Public Schools, veterans and firefighters. 

Rick T. and Bekki Jaynes run Simplify Fitness at the Duquesne House, a personal training studio that focuses on functional fitness, a physical wellness concept that promotes activities of daily living. Photo by Carrie White

Personal Training, Simplify Fitness at the Duquesne House: By appointment. 357 Duquesne Avenue, Patagonia. Contact: Rick T. Jaynes, 310-993-7425. Benefits: Balance, empowerment, sleep, bone health, strength, weight management. Cost: $50 an hour/private lessons or $35 for sessions with 2-3 people. Other info: Outdoor garden is used for sessions when weather permits. 

Swimming Lessons: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays July 1-July 26. Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center, 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia. Contact Mia Arochi, marochi@psd0620.org, Kenny Hayes, khayes@psd0620.org. Benefits: Safety. While swimming can provide many health benefits, the greatest benefits is being safe around water. Cost: Free. Other info: You are never too old to learn to swim. Plus, swimming can be a safe and enjoyable activity as you age.

Tai Chi: 8-9 a.m. Mondays. Gazebo, Patagonia Park. Contact: Beth Martin, 520-5591391. Benefits: Balance, flexibility, bone health, stress management. Cost: Free. Other info: This is a wonderful activity for individuals with arthritis. Chair tai chi is also available.

Tennis: Courts are open during summer but closing August 28 during school hours. Patagonia Public Schools Campus, 200 W. Naugle Avenue, Patagonia. Contact: Roxanne Skinner, 520-394-3000. Benefits: Cardio, balance, strength, flexibility, bone health. Cost: Free. 

Rhonda Brew and Gama Leyva work out during the water aerobics class at the Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center. Photo by Robert Gay

Water Aerobics: 10-11 a.m. Mondays through Saturday through July 26. Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center, 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia. Contact Mia Arochi, marochi@psd0620.org, Kenny Hayes, khayes@psd0620.org. Benefits: Strength, endurance, flexibility, stress management, weight management, blood pressure. Cost. $80 season pass, $6 daily pass. Other info: Due to the acquisition of funds, the pool can now be heated. 

Yoga with Donna (Patagonia): 2:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday beginning July 16. Patagonia Senior Center, 100 Quiroga Lane, Patagonia. Contact: Donna Riley Brollier, 760-219-2090. Benefits: Stress management, balance, flexibility, range of motion, blood pressure. Cost: $12/class or 10 sessions for $100. 

ZoomBachs, a free class held at the Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts, promotes both movement and music appreciation. Participant Darlene Hilgeman (left) of Patagonia watches as group leader Christina Wilhelm describes the mood of the next selection. Photo by Carrie White

Yoga with Donna (Sonoita): 8:30-9:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pioneer Hall, Santa Cruz County Fair & Rodeo Association Fairgrounds, 3142 S. Highway 83, Sonoita. Contact: Donna Riley Brollier, 760-219-2090. Benefits: Stress management, balance, flexibility, range of motion, blood pressure. Cost: $12/class or 10 sessions for $100.

ZoomBachs: 9-9:30 a.m. Thursdays. Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts, 348 Naugle Avenue, Patagonia. Contact: Christina Wilhelm, 617-645-4239. Benefits: Stress management, flexibility, mobility, balance, bone health, blood pressure. Cost: Donations accepted. Other info: In addition to movement, these classes increase access and appreciation of classical music.

*Health benefits listed are by no means all inclusive. If you know of additional classes being offered, please contact Carrie Whtie at carriewhiteprt@gmail.com. It is recommended that you consult with a physician before starting any exercise program