JEFFERSON — While maintaining award-winning athletic programs, the city of Jefferson Parks and Recreation Department also is working to continue broadening its offerings to appeal to more residents.

"In the last three months, we’ve added two tumbling classes, toddler art classes and crocheting," said Colton Green, department director.

"And we’re preparing to start photography classes in January."

The toddler art classes were designed to help children ages 18 months to 36 months increase their dexterity and fine motor skills. During the class, toddlers — with the help of their mothers — created seasonal art projects using clay, paint and mosaic techniques.

"Enrollment was very strong for the first session," said Green.

The crocheting classes were geared toward 8- to 12-year-olds and had the goal of helping participants bone up on their math skills by counting patterns as they learned how to make slipknots and other crocheting skills.

The additional classes help the department continue to create more well-rounded recreational and leisure offerings, Green said.

While the materials for the other classes, such as art and crocheting, were included, participants interested in taking the photography class, which begins Jan. 12, will need to purchase their own SLR — single lens reflex — camera. The SLR camera is necessary for the class because the camera’s interchangeable lenses allow the user to have "full control over the functions of the camera," says class instructor Scott Greene.

Among other things, class participants will learn how to control motion in pictures, photograph composition techniques and how to take better portraits.

Although participants typically enroll in Parks and Recreation programs for fun, photography students should be prepared to tackle weekly photography assignments — which are designed to help students hone their craft.