Things to Do in Danbury

As the year Y2010K dawns, fear and ambiguity aren’t limited to wondering what happened at the party last night. But only one man knows for certain what the new decade holds—and his name is Joshua the Psychic. His predictions are certainties, his present is the future, his sight is foresight, and, for unrelated reasons, his sourdough is pumpernickel. For $45, you’ll get access to his intangible abilities for 45 minutes, a $90 value. You can get your reading either over the phone or in person at his Upper West Side abode.

Think of the moments in life where being an excellent dancer could open doors for you. If you had the skills taught at The Ailey Extension, home of the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, you could show them off in a variety of social contexts to your great benefit:

Miles of trails snake through the verdant woods surrounding Seaton Hackney Stables, beckoning riders and their stallions to showcase skills learned from the full-service facility’s multitude of equine activities. A staff of seasoned equestrians imparts English- and Western-style horsemanship techniques during frequent camps and lessons, introducing pupils of all ages to Seaton's stable of more than 35 resident horses. Mounted atop the valiant steeds, the staff also shepherds guests on guided trail rides through nearby environs or leads offsite excursions that explore area parks and horse-only dance halls.

My Gym, which currently has more than 200 international locations, was founded more than 20 years ago as a structured place for children to safely play, acquire new skills, and romp off a sugar buzz. Tots as young as 6 weeks can take a month or two of weekly classes, all designed to incorporate the latest physiological, psychological, and meteorological research. One-hour Waddlers sessions for babies and parents introduce tots aged 14–22 months to mobility, agility, and social skills as they build block towers and participate in puppet shows. Other classes include Tiny Tykes, a class for parents and babies that focuses on movement, as well as Mighty Mites and Whiz Kids, classes for more independently mobile children aimed at mastering motor skills to build strength, balance, and agility.

For older kids, independent gym classes such as Champions and Cardionastics build self-esteem, fitness skills, and muscles for future speed-texting showdowns. My Gym's energetic instructors are experts at using music, dance, and gymnastics to develop youngsters' strength while stimulating their giggle-plexes—carving out a place for creativity and face-to-face engagement in the face of technological temptations and giant robotic faces.

The instructors at Jiu-Jitsu and Strength Academy never stop learning. They each put on their black belts one foot at a time, just like most everyday citizens, but they also carry certification in several training methods. During kobukai jiujitsu courses, Sensei Matthew Bryers reveals modern Japanese techniques that are often used by members of the military and SWAT teams. Alternatively, instructor Rafael Barbosa leads traditional Brazilian jiujitsu classes while demonstrating artful control of the style designed to disable larger attackers. Barbosa's fighting style has led many to refer to him as Formiga, the Portuguese word for "ant"—which suggests strength beyond his size and the possibility that he may have a few extra fighting arms.

Since 1978, Champion Day Camp has sated kids’ hunger for summertime adventure. During day camps, children are divided into small groups organized by age and supervised by staff members who are responsible for three to five campers each. In this nurturing environment, kids can make friends and learn new skills as they enjoy a range of activities such as the Ropes Adventure program—which includes climbing walls, ziplines, and a 52-foot “Humongous Tower”—or computer-, yoga-, and photography-based activities. Champion also stages traditional camp activities, such as swimming, soccer, and speculating on the ingredients of bug juice.