With the beginning of the new school year, the Buck Run Community Center has also kicked off some of its fall activities for a range of ages, offering both new and returning activities for membership holders and others interested in getting involved.

Since opening its doors in the 1930s, the community center has seen a variety of changes and improvements over the years until it now houses basketball courts, volleyball courts, exercise equipment room, racquetball courts and other services.

“We have a lot of programs,” said director Tom Robertson, who has been at the community center for about 15 years.

Some changes to the fall activities include the addition of gymnastics for children age 3-14 years old, after having gone a few years without that program since they did not have a certified instructor. That program begins this week, offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The center also has a new trainer to go with the returning instructors of the numerous fitness classes the center offers each week.

Karen Rienbolt, with a master’s degree in physical education, will lead fitness classes every Monday and Wednesday morning and a second class Monday and Wednesday afternoons, beginning Sept. 14, and will continue through December. The 12-week sessions with 24 classes will cost $30 per participant.

Buck Run also offers two PiYo classes, a combination of Pilates and yoga, each week, led by instructor Lynette Westhoff. Alex Horttor will instruct a full-body boot camp two days a week as well. The former starts Wednesday while the eight-week boot camp begins in October.

Senior exercise classes led by Edith Collins are also offered during the week.

Robertson said one of the most popular activities over the past couple years has been the Biggest Loser program, offered in the fall as a team challenge and the spring for individuals. The weigh-in for participating teams of five will be Thursday and then each week after that for 10 weeks.

The cost for a team is $60 and weekly incentives will be awarded with prizes given to the top three teams at the end of the program in November.

Buck Run also hosts community dances a few evenings each semester, the first to be held Sept. 19, with lessons offered just before each dance as well as once a week.

Youth leagues include flag football, micro-soccer, volleyball, and cheer clinics. Adults can participate in volleyball, men’s and women’s pickle ball and co-ed kickball leagues.

The community center also offers activities for students during certain days off school during the semester as well as the occasional dodgeball game, a pumpkin carving contest prior to Halloween, a snow sculpture contest during the winter months and a Tiger Spirit award offered for the best decorated house, yard or individual.

Those interested in learning more about activities can find more information at the Buck Run Community Center.

“We just like to see people get involved,” Robertson said. “Our job is to improve the quality of life in Fort Scott, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”