When most of us are beginning to think about planning our summer vacations, the folks in the Department of Community Services & Recreation are thinking about fall.

According to Eileen Pettit, assistant director of recreation, her team begins working on the slate of fall recreation programs in April. She notes that it takes that much time to work with instructors and coordinate their schedules.

This fall season’s final schedule was sent to the printer in June. Pettit said she likes to have the schedule ready during the summer so it can be given to children who participate in the department’s summer programs. What has been distributed is a full slate of offerings for residents and non-residents alike.

The list of programs is diverse, as always. Registration is underway. Programs begin at the end of September or the beginning of October. Because classes are canceled shortly before their start date if too few registrations are received, Pettit suggests that people register for the classes they want as soon as possible.

Among the returning favorites is Toddler Hoops, which the department offered for the first time last winter. The program, which is for children aged 3 to kindergarten, has been very popular, said Pettit. The class provides an introduction to basketball for youngsters too young to play in a youth league.

“That program really took off,” said Pettit.

For adults, Zumba continues to be a popular offering for adults. To expand on that popularity, the department is hosting a fundraising event in September. A Zumba-thon is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Recreation Center on Linsley Street. Doors will open for registration at 5:30 p.m.

Krissy Kanakis, a Zumba instructor at the North Haven Health & Racquet Club, proposed the idea. Pettit said Kanakis suggested that the entrance fee be a donation to the North Haven Diaper Bank.

“I wanted to dovetail it with our food bank,” Pettit said, so the entrance fee for the event will be a non-perishable food item for the town’s food bank or diapers for the diaper bank.

Bimonte will provide entertainment through his DJ business, Double J. Sound.

Zumba “is a fun way to exercise. We believe we’ll have a good turnout,” said Pettit. “Hopefully, we’ll stock up the food pantry. People think [the pantry needs help] only during the holidays. But it’s important to take care of people year round.”

The department also continues to do the same to support special needs programs for adults in town. While these adults participate in activities such as Bingo and bowling, the department began offering Friday night dance parties last November.

“We had close to 100 people [at the first event],” said Pettit.

The positive turnout inspired Pettit and her team to host more dances and they held one a month from January to June.

“September is the next one and we will start doing it on a monthly basis,” added Pettit.

The date for the September event has not yet been set.

The department’s annual Halloween party is scheduled for

Oct. 31 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Recreation Center. Pettit said that planning for that party began last month.

And believe it or not, planning for the lineup for next summer’s Music Under the Stars concert series held on the North Haven Green has already begun.