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Senior Center
General Information
The Salem Senior Center is operating in its 53rd year!!!! The senior program began in 1972 when The Salem Recreation Commission became known as the Department of Parks and Recreation under the direction of Jerry Gwaltney. The senior citizen programming was run by Gertrude Harris, Cultural Activities Supervisor. All divisions operated from the 620 Florida Street office at this time. In August of 1972, a federal grant along with support from the City of Salem began funding the senior program. Four years later the entire program was funded by the City of Salem through the Department of Parks and Recreation. In 1974, the house we continue in today (110 Union Street) officially opened for seniors. The addition was added on the back of the house in 1979 and the senior program still runs today. One thing has never changed through the years at the center, all senior citizens are welcome and encouraged to participate. We offer something for every senior citizen. Stop by the office and we will be glad to show you around and make sure you have a monthly newsletter. Activities, travel, classes, and friendships are what make the Center a welcoming place to come visit.
January 2026 Newsletter and Calendar
Overnight Trips
Miami/Ft Lauderdale/Key West (Waitlist only)
Chincoteague/Assoteague Island
Day Trips
To sign up for a trip, call our office at 540-375-3054 to make sure there are available seats and then fill out the Trip Reservation Form and bring or mail it to the Salem Senior Center, 110 Union Street, Salem, VA 24153.
There is no joining fee to be a part of the Salem Senior Center. Most classes do not have a fee; however, Tai Chi is $2 per class and Chair Yoga is $20 for a 6-week session for 1 class or $30 for 2. Materials for ceramics, chair caning, or basket weaving are the only cost for these classes. There is no cost for fitness classes.
If a fee is required for any events, it will be listed on the monthly newsletter.
Call 375-3054 with any questions. Hope to see you at the Salem Senior Center, 110 Union Street, Salem.
Inclement Weather Policy:
- If Salem City Schools are closed, no classes or events will be held at the Salem Senior Center that day.
- If Salem City Schools are on a two-hour delay the Center will open at 10 am This means that any class that is held or begins before 10 am will not be held. At this time that will include Monday Bridge, Exercise Classes and Tap Class.
Please note that the closing and delays are for the protection of our citizens on bad roads.
SALEM SENIOR CENTER
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Mondays –
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Bridge
11:00 am – 3:00 pm Hand, Knee, & Foot (cards)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Mexican Train Dominos
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Tai Chi
Tuesdays –
8:45 am – 9:45 am Fitness Class
10:00 am – 2:00 pm Chair Caning & Basket Weaving
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Bridge
10:30 am – 3:30 pm Hand & Foot (cards)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Mahjong
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Ballroom Dance
4:15 pm – 5:15 pm Chair Yoga
5:15 pm – 6:30 pm TOPS
Wednesdays –
9:00 am – 10:00 am Tap Dance
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Needlework/Quilting
10:30 am – 1:00 pm Ceramics
11:00 am – 3:00 pm Euchre
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Beginner Line Dance
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Line Dance
Thursdays –
8:45 am – 9:45 am Fitness Class
9:30 am – 12:00 pm Art on Your Own
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Bridge
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Monthly Covered Dish Luncheon (last Thursday)
12:15 pm – 3:30 pm Hand & Foot (cards)
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Tai Chi
Fridays –
8:45 am – 9:45 am Fitness Class
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Senior Mountain Pickers
11:00 am – 4:00 pm Hand, Knee, & Foot (cards)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Mahjong
4:15 pm – 5:15 pm Chair Yoga
Special Days throughout the month are set aside for bingo, parties, day or overnight trips, speakers, seminars, classes, crafts, etc.
Some classes have a minimal charge for supplies and some require you to register in advance. Please call or stop by the Salem Senior Center for more information on our Monthly Newsletter or get a copy on-line at
https://www.salemva.gov/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Senior-Center
Salem Senior Center Trips Policies and Procedures
Please note this schedule is subject to change due to the pandemic. Trips will also be added as we are able.
All trips will leave from the Salem Civic Center Parking Lot, East side, near the tennis court, (1001 Roanoke Boulevard), where there are plenty of parking spaces, or from the Salem Senior Center. Please make sure you check your trip list to see which place you will board the bus. We will keep you up to date on any changes and/or additions.
- All day trips must be paid in full upon registration.
- Payments must be made by cash or check made payable to the City of Salem (unless otherwise stated)
- Unless otherwise stated per trip, cancellations prior to one week of departure results in a full refund in the event a replacement can be made. Failure to fill vacancies will result in the forfeiture of all non-refundable payments.
- Cancellations made within one week will result in the forfeiture of all non-refundable payments.
- All participants must complete and sign a travel participant waiver form for each trip.
- Trips lacking an ample number of participants will be canceled in advance of payment deadlines and all payments will be refunded.
- Full itineraries and agendas will be available at the Salem Senior Center.
Salem Senior Center Trips Policies and Procedures
Trips will also be added as we are able. Week-long trips are taken on a motorcoach provided by Diamond Tours.
All trips will leave from the Salem Civic Center Parking Lot, East side, near the tennis court, (1001 Roanoke Boulevard), where there are plenty of parking spaces, or from the Salem Senior Center. Please make sure you check your trip list to see which place you will board the bus. We will keep you up to date on any changes and/or additions.
- All overnight trips must be paid by deposit or in full upon registration.
- Payments must be made by cash or check made payable to the City of Salem (unless otherwise stated)
- All cancellations for overnight trips must be made thirty days out in order to receive a full refund. All non-refundable payments will be forfeited if cancellations are made within thirty days of departure if a replacement is not available.
- All participants must sign a participant waiver form prior to each trip.
- Trips lacking ample number of participants will be canceled in advance of payments deadlines and all deposits/payments will be refunded.
- Full itineraries and agendas will be available at the Salem Senior Center.
The monthly newsletter with a calendar and news of our activities and outings is ready for distribution the last week of the month for the following month. Please stop by and pick one up so you can join us at the Senior Center.
A Senior Trip List is available at the Senior Center. New trips will be added as it gets safer to travel. Stop by to pick up a trip list or view the list here.
Monthly Covered Dish Luncheons are held the last Thursday of the month at noon. The Senior Center provides the meat while everyone attending brings a covered dish to share. Each luncheon will have some type of entertainment scheduled.
Senior Mountain Pickers is an excellent group of stringed instrument musicians who play informally on Fridays from 11 am to 2:30 pm at the Senior Center. You may join them with an instrument if you play or you may attend as a part of the audience.
Special Events are provided each month. Events include bingo, crafts, holiday parties, dances, etc. A small fee may apply for some of these events, which you must pay when you sign up.
Seminars to benefit seniors are also held on a regular basis including medication management, dizziness and falls, caring for someone with dementia, senior scams, and many more.
Check out our monthly newsletter for more information on these events or call the Senior Center for more information at 540-375-3054.
Sign up at the Senior Center Office.