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5 Reasons Why Kids Should Attend Summer Camp

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 by:Family Y
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Find out more at Camp Open House, 1-3 pm, Saturday, Apr. 20 at Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center


Campers explore Earthplace’s 62-acre nature sanctuary.

Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center and the Westport Weston Family Y’s Camp Mahackeno are teaming up to give kids and teens in our community an adventurous, active and healthy summer.

Our joint summer day camp, Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013, will offer youth fun and unique experiences with an opportunity to explore the outdoors, meet new friends, discover new interests and create memories that last a lifetime.

Nearly 50 percent of U.S. parents say technological distractions, such as television, cell phones or video games, make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle for their children, according to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot, a survey that gauges children’s activity levels during the school year.

With more free time in summer, ensuring that kids practice healthy habits could be a greater challenge. The Y and Earthplace encourage parents to help their kids unplug from technology and explore all this collaborative day camp has to offer from the first weekly season on June 24 to the last day of camp on August 23.

The joys of summer camp!

With so much new in store this summer, our camp co-directors invite prospective camp families to attend Earthplace-Mahackeno Open House on Saturday, Apr. 20, 1-3 pm, at Earthplace’s 62-acre nature sanctuary at 10 Woodside Lane. The best way to learn about Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013 is to come by and talk to us!

“Attending Earthplace-Mahackeno summer camp is a wonderful opportunity for kids to keep their minds and bodies active,” says Meaghan George, the Family Y’s Camp and Youth Director. “Kids get to learn about nature, take on new responsibilities, gain independence, and develop essential social skills and new relationships. We really encourage parents to give their kids the gift of camp so that every child can benefit from the experience.”

Becky Newman, Senior Naturalist at Earthplace and with Meg George, the co-director of Earthplace-Mahackeno Camp this summer, says there are five reasons why children and teens should attend summer camp:

  1. ADVENTURE: Summer camp is all about a wide variety of fun adventures and new experiences, and especially exploring the outdoors. With its spacious facility, natural history museum, outdoor bird exhibits and animal “ambassadors,” Earthplace makes an ideal setting for exploring and learning about nature and the environment.
  2. HEALTHY FUN: Day camps offer stimulating activities that engage the body and mind. In addition to taking part in a wide range of sports and recreational activities at Earthplace, campers this summer will have the opportunity to swim at the Y four days a week under the supervision of their counselors and Y lifeguards.
  3. PERSONAL GROWTH: While being away from the routine back home, youth have a chance to learn new skills, and develop confidence and independence by taking on new responsibilities and challenges.
  4. NEW FRIENDSHIPS: Amidst the fun of camp games, songs, swimming, field trips and talent shows, campers meet new friends and strengthen existing friendships.
  5. MEMORIES: Summer camp is an unforgettable experience that will give each camper memories (and campfire stories) that will last a lifetime. Youth return to school with plenty of camp stories to share!



And, to ensure that all youth have the chance to experience camp, Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013 offers financial assistance to those in need, as well as a Special Cares Camp program for children with physical or mental challenges.

Earthplace will also be running its Pre-school program for ages 3-K through the summer months starting June 17. Registration for children ages 3-5 can be completed online at www.earthplace.org.

For more information about Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013, or to ask any questions, please contact either of our co-directors: Becky Newman at 203-227-7253, ext. 107, or b.newman@earthplace.org; Meg George at 203-226-8981, ext. 179, or mgeorge@westporty.org.

Get a Jump on Summer Camps at the Family Y

Friday, April 12, 2013 by:Family Y
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Earthplace gangRegistration is under way for all of the Westport Weston Family Y’s camps and special programs taking place this summer. Don’t delay; sign up today! Click on the subhed links below to get started or visit www.westporty.org for more information.

Earthplace-Mahackeno

Since 1938, the Mahackeno Outdoor Center has been the setting for our Family Y’s summer day camp. For the 2013 season, Camp Mahackeno will be collaborating with another Westport institution, Earthplace, the Nature Discovery Center, so we can continue to serve our campers and families during the construction of our new Y facility at Mahackeno.

This wonderful opportunity will allow us to have yet another great summer in a beautiful outdoor setting here in Westport. Earthplace and the Family Y are working together to plan a summer with fun activities and themes, great staff and many opportunities for campers to make new friends and memories.

The program is for campers who are entering 1st grade through 8th grade. Earthplace will continue to welcome preschoolers age 3 to Kindergarten to camp. You can also find more information about this summer’s camp by visiting www.earthplace.org.

The Y offers a wide variety of swimming programs and water-safety clinics.

The Y offers a wide variety of swimming programs and water-safety clinics.

Hafaday Summer Swim Lesson Program

Sessions fill quickly for this amazing summer program, which gives children the vital chance to build swim skills, regardless of previous experience, and have a lot of summer fun. Designed for children ages 4 to 8 and held each weekday from 8:45 am to 12:30 pm, Hafaday is primarily a swim program, with both a lesson and a free swim period each day. It’s the best way to learn to swim. Arts and crafts, music and gym time, including yoga, karate, and games round out each morning of fun.

We have 9 weekly sessions, beginning Monday, June 17 and continuing on through the week of August 12. Students in swim lessons are grouped by age and ability. The cost for Y Members is $270 per week; $295 for non-members.

Stewie’s Splash! Hour
The Family Y has partnered with Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities to promote water safety throughout the community. During each week of Hafaday, Wednesday’s from 12:30 to 1:15 pm, there will be a special opportunity to meet Stewie the Duck and participate in water safety activities outside of the water. Plus, each child will receive a book, a sing-a-long CD and a Personal Floatation Device.

Because Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities is underwriting this event, the cost is only $20/child. Be sure to sign up early to get your first choice of weeks.

Click HERE  to add Stewie’s Splash! Hour to your child’s Hafaday experience.

February 20, 2013 057Summer Gymnastics Camps

The Family Y’s Gymnastics Center is the setting for a range of summer camps. In the afternoons, there’s Gymnastics & Swim Camp: Gymnastics, Free Swim and Games, all in our air-conditioned Gymnastic Center! This camp runs from 12 to 4 pm each day throughout the summer (8 sessions in all). Your child must be able to swim without flotation device and must be 6 years old by June 1, 2013.

We also offer a Summer Fantasy Gymnastics & Art Camp in the mornings, for young gymnasts ages 4-7, as well as a summer program geared to competitive gymnastics: Specialty Competitive and Pre Competitive Gymnastics Camp Week takes place Aug. 19-23. The fee is $280 for the week; Y membership is required. For more information, email Sally Silverstein at ssilverstein@westporty.org.

Dancing, and drawing, like a princess...

Dancing, and drawing, like a princess…

Dance Camps

Our Dance Center has several fun summer programs, starting with Princess Dance Camp. This popular camp focuses on a different Disney princess each day to give dancing divas ages 3 to 5 a fun introduction to ballet and jazz. Led by Dance Center Director Lillian Cenatiempo, campers will also enjoy a craft that helps bring our princesses to life, with a story about one of our princesses each day during snack time. The week session are June 24-28 and July 15-19 and cost $180 per session for Y members and non-members alike.

July 15-19 is “Future Stars Dance Week,” for ages 6-10, which includes dance techniques, learning of choreography, lunch, dance routines plus a free swim. And this summer we have two week-long sessions for Broadway Bound Dance Week. It’s designed for young dancers ages 7-10, who will spend the week learning dances to music from the Broadway musical Newsies. The week includes costume making, a visiting instructor from New York and a fun in-studio presentation the final day for friends and family. The first session will be held June 24-28 from 12:30 to 3:30 pm and the second takes place July 8-12.

Summer Basketball, Lacrosse & Floor Hockey

The Family Y offers a host of week-long morning programs designed to keep young kids active and give them the chance to develop basic skills in lacrosse, hockey and basketball. Click on the link above for more information and to register.

We’re also offering Elite Basketball Academy Weekend Clinics on June 22 and 29 for 6-8 Graders and on June 30 for 9-12 Graders, both girls and boys. Improve your individual skills and team play at both ends of the court with the help of top-quality coaching and a highly competitive environment. The Coaches are Tod Shofield, former professional basketball player and currently coaching and on staff at Greens Farms Academy and Paul Groves, Director of Middle School Athletics at GFA. Avid young hoopsters will get individual workouts,  intensive conditioning drills and skills stations and group lectures about strategy and playmaking.

Saturday, June 22, Grades 6-8 (as of Sept. 2013), 9 am – 4 pm
Saturday, June 29, Grades 9-12 (as of Sept. 2013), 9 am – 4 pm
Sunday, June 30, Grades 6-8 (as of Sept. 2013), 9 am – 4 pm

Fee: $85/day (no Y membership required); please bring drinks, lunch and snack. To register click on the links above or contact Sally Silverstein, Sports & Recreation Director, at ssilverstein@westporty.org or 203-226-8981, ext. 118.

And, of course, the Family Y also offers a full schedule of Summer Session classes and programs. To review our Summer Brochure, please click here. Registration for the Summer Session of classes and programs begins Monday, May 6.

The Family Y also schedules open time in the Upper Gym for pick-up games and individual practice.

The Family Y also schedules open time in the Upper Gym for pick-up games and individual practice.

 

“First Pour” at Mahackeno — Laying the Foundation of Our New Y (video, photos)

Friday, April 5, 2013 by:Family Y
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Leaders from the Y’s volunteer governing boards, staff and construction partners gathered at the Y’s Mahackeno campus on Friday, Apr. 5, to witness a milestone achievement in the construction of the new Y facility. Shortly after 10 am, the first cement truck arrived at the building site to pour concrete for the foundation of the 54,000 sq. ft. facility soon to rise from its scenic setting overlooking the Saugatuck River as it flows into Lees Pond, just north of downtown Westport.

As the first cement truck delivers its load of concrete, a second arrives to continue pouring the foundation of the new Family Y.

“This has been a very long saga of a wonderful vision and the striving to attain that vision,” said Steve Halstead, a member of the Y’s Construction Committee, the group of community volunteers who are helping guide the construction a modern new home for the Westport Weston Family Y at the Y’s 32-acre Mahackeno property, longtime home of its summer day camp.

“Here we are, on April 5, 2013, 10-plus years on our campaign to build what matters, and we are finally seeing this building coming out of the ground,” said Halstead, a veteran volunteer for a number of community building projects, including Bedford Middle School and the rebuilding of Staples High School.

“This is a real milestone — the real beginning of the fruition of the vision of our Family Y for the next 50, 100 years,” added a beaming Halstead (see below for video).

That future began today, Friday, April 5, 2013, with the first “100 yards” of concrete being poured to form the foundation of the new Westport Weston Family Y.

Since site preparation work began in late January, the building site has been transformed. Work crews first cleared the 6-acre building site of trees and brush. As excavation of the foundation has proceeded, the site has effectively become a materials processing “factory” in which excavated material is turned into separate piles of topsoil, crushed rock and other materials to be re-used on-site. The creation of what Turner Construction calls a “balanced site” means that truck traffic leaving and entering the site is limited, minimizing the impact to local roads.

Foundation work will continue over the coming weeks, after which the steel framework for the full-service Y facility will be erected.

Further details about the construction project and capital campaign to fund it may be found at www.westporty.org. The new Y is scheduled to open in November 2014.

Guided Tours of the New Y Building Site at Mahackeno

Monday, March 25, 2013 by:Family Y
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Dan Drake of Turner Construction describes the work under way on the new Y at Mahackeno.

Though the weather could have been a touch warmer for the first weekend of spring, the timing couldn’t have been better: A day after the Westport Weston Family Y announced the receipt of two $1 million gifts to its Building What Matters capital campaign, Y board member Rob Bowman and his wife, Jennifer, hosted a large group of neighbors and friends on a guided tour of the new Y’s building site at Mahackeno.

Fresh hot coffee and all manner of doughnuts and pastries took the edge off the Saturday morning chill, as the group was treated to an informative overview by Dan Drake, site supervisor for Turner Construction Co., and his colleague Chad McCullough.

After a quick visit inside the construction trailer (and a close-up look of some of the phone-book thick sheaves of oversize architectural drawings and plans that guide the construction process), Drake described how the work crews have created what amounts to an on-site “factory” that turns the excavated material into topsoil, fill and crushed rock to be re-used later in the building process.

Hard to tell who was more in awe of the mega-sized machines stationed across the site — the kids or their “touch-a-truck” dads!

Capturing memories that will last a lifetime...

The site tour continued down “Allen Raymond Lane” to the overlook above the excavated hillside, from which our new Family Y will soon rise. Using floor plans and renderings of the new facility as guides, Drake helped the site visitors envision exactly where the new 10-lane pool will be located, and where basketballers of all ages will, come late 2014, be able to romp up and down the full-sized basketball court.

“We thank the Bowmans for bringing this group of families together, and our partners at Turner for helping make the experience a very informational and fun one,” said Family Y CEO Rob Reeves.

Guided tours of the building site are being conducted on Wednesdays at 12:15 on through the spring. To schedule a site visit, contact Susie Haydon at shaydon@westporty.org. For more information about the Y’s Building What Matters campaign, click here to visit the section about our new Y at www.westporty.org.

Enjoy these photos from Saturday’s group tour of Mahackeno:

A Report on the Family Y’s Community Impact

Wednesday, March 20, 2013 by:Family Y
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The Westport Weston Family Y has a tremendous impact on our community, touching lives of all ages. Our current membership of 5,500 individuals represents 15 percent of the towns we serve and 25 percent of our youth. Nearly 40 percent of all local grade-school children are active in Family Y programs and special activities!

Widening smiles, and Horizons, at the Family Y. Each summer the Y hosts kids from GFA's Horizons program for free swim time.

A charitable, nonprofit organization, the Y is committed to offering our programs, facilities and services to all, regardless of their ability to pay. In 2012, the financial assistance we provided to local individuals totaled $321,500 and included:

* $120,000 in direct aid to those in need of child care;
* $83,000 in scholarships for children to attend Camp Mahackeno;
* $79,000 in subsidized or free memberships to neighbors in need.

A Center of Community Life
The Y enriches everybody in our community, whether they use the facility or not, by keeping our children and teens active and involved in socially productive activities. Last year, 130 7th graders enrolled in our 7th Grade Membership Initiative, a new program that gives all local 7th graders free one-year membership to the Y. Hundreds more local 4th-7th graders attended the Y’s Youth Fun Nights, held once a month on Saturdays at the Y.

The Family Y provides space and resources to many community groups, hosting a number of community-wide events that are open to all, including First Night Westport/Weston, Healthy Kids Day and Fall Family Fiesta. In 2012, our Y’s community outreach and in–kind support to nonprofit partners amounted to $164,000. In all, our Family Y gave back $486,000 in total community support in 2012.

The Family Y fulfills a role in our community unlike any other organization. We partner with an unparalleled array of other community groups, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs. The Y is a welcoming place for those whose specific needs are cared for by the many local and national organizations the Y partners with in service to our community.

This year's Soles4Souls used-shoe drive takes place Apr. 1-12.

* For the past 35 years, the Family Y has hosted weekly swim, gym and other activities for individuals with special needs served by Our Vision;
* In collaboration with Norwalk Hospital, our Cancer Survivors Program provides cancer patients with 3-month free memberships and customized programs to support recovery;
* Since our founding in 1923, we’ve taught more than 33,000 local kids and adults how to swim. To further enhance water safety, in 2012 we partnered with Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities and The ZAC Foundation on a variety of special aquatics camps and programs.

The Y is for Social Responsibility
At the Y, giving back and providing support to our neighbors is our cause. In the aftermath of weather emergencies, our Family Y opens its door to all in the community as a warm, welcoming place of refuge. We are proud to serve as a collection location for a number of charitable ventures, from our Holiday Giving Tree and food banks to Prom Dress and Soles4Souls collections.

The Family Y would also like to express its gratitude to our partners, donors, staff and the 258 Y volunteers who together donated 11,277 hours of their time and talent in 2012. Their help allows our Y to continue to fulfill its mission to develop and nurture our youth, promote healthy living for all and foster a sense of social responsibility throughout the communities we have served for the past 90 years.

To add your support to our Family Y’s charitable mission, please click here to make a safe and secure online donation to our annual fundraising effort, the Strong Kids Campaign.

Learn More About Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013

Sunday, March 17, 2013 by:Family Y
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There's a world of nature to explore at Earthplace!

This summer, Camp Mahackeno and Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center, are teaming up to create a day camp that promises to give kids the “best of both worlds” – a summer of fun at Earthplace’s 62-acre nature sanctuary, plus the sports and recreational knowledge of the Westport Weston Family Y.

This special collaboration between these two popular local summer camps was spurred by the closure of the Mahackeno campus while the Family Y’s new facility is being constructed.

Together, the Earthplace-Mahackeno team has created fun weekly themes featuring traditional camp activities, nature programs and special field trips. Camp will be offered as nine one-week sessions for 1st-10th graders, starting June 24, and will include daily pre- and post-care programs. (Earthplace will also be running its Pre-school program for ages 3-K through the summer months, starting June 17.)

Located at 10 Woodside Lane in the Old Hill section of Westport, Earthplace’s spacious facility makes an ideal setting for exploration, education and fun. Its staff, led by Camp Director Becky Newman, has extensive knowledge and expertise in helping young campers explore new aspects of nature and the environment through hands-on activities, group games, hikes and crafts.

The Family Y will be offering some of Camp Mahackeno’s most popular activities – setting up an archery range at Earthplace, for example, as well as transporting campers to the Family Y’s downtown facility for free swim four times a week.

With so much new in store this summer, we’ve scheduled a series of events and activities at Earthplace and the Y at which prospective camp families can learn more about our exciting plans. The best way to learn about Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013 is to come in and talk to us!

...And fun animal encounters!

Wednesday, March 20 - Earthplace-Mahackeno 2013 Information Session starting at 7 pm at the Family Y.  Special guests will be joining us from Camp Hazen YMCA in Chester, CT.

Saturday, March 23 - Kite Day at Earthplace — featuring all things that soar! 10 Woodside Lane, Westport.  Held 11 am-2 pm, there will be crafts, animal encounters and a camp director available to answer questions.

Saturday, April 20 - Summer Camp Open House at Earthplace,
10 Woodside Lane, Westport.  The Open House will be from 1-3 pm.

Saturday, April 27 - Healthy Kids Day will be held at the Family Y from
9 am-12 noon.  Earthplace and Mahackeno staff will be present.

Registration for Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013 is now open to all – don’t delay as space is limited. For more information, including registration forms and details about each weekly theme, please visit www.westporty.org or www.earthplace.org.

Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013 Registration Opens

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 by:Family Y
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Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013 – the joint day camp being offered by the Westport Weston Family Y and Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center – is now accepting registrations from past participants of either program. Registration for new campers will open on Monday, March 4.

This summer’s Earthplace-Mahackeno program is for campers who are entering 1st grade through 10th grade. Together, the Earthplace-Mahackeno team has created fun weekly themes featuring traditional camp activities, nature programs and special field trips. Camp will be offered as nine one-week sessions, starting June 24, and will include daily pre- and post-care programs. Registration forms for 1st-10th grade campers are available at www.westporty.org and www.earthplace.org.

The special one-year collaboration between these two popular local day camps was spurred by the closure of the Mahackeno campus while the Family Y’s new facility is being constructed.

“Because we are sharing space at Earthplace this summer, our Mahackeno program will have a smaller enrollment in 2013 than it has in the past,” said Meg George, the Family Y’s Youth and Camp Director. “This summer we will have space for a total of just 175 campers in each weekly session. This means spots will fill fast, so we wanted to give previous campers from either program the opportunity to select the weeks that best suit their usual summer schedules.”

Both camp operations have a lot to offer the other – to the benefit of all campers. Located at 10 Woodside Lane in the Old Hill section of Westport, Earthplace’s 62-acre wildlife sanctuary makes an ideal setting for exploration, fun and learning. Its staff, led by Camp Director Becky Newman, has a great deal of knowledge and expertise to share in helping young campers to explore new aspects of nature through hands-on activities, group games, hikes and crafts.

“On trail walks through the woods and around our meadow, stream and pond, we often spot wildlife in their natural surroundings, including deer, turtles, hawks and wild turkeys,” said Newman. “And every week this summer, we’ll have animals from our indoor Animal Hall come to ‘visit’ our campers, helping them learn about many creatures and their habitats.”

The Family Y will be contributing some of Camp Mahackeno’s most popular activities – setting up an archery range on the site, for example, as well as transporting campers to the Family Y’s downtown facility for free swim several times a week.

Earthplace will also be running its Pre-school program for ages 3-K through the summer months starting June 17. Registration for children ages 3-5 can be completed online at www.earthplace.org.

For more information about Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013, or to ask any questions, please contact either of our co-directors: Becky Newman at 203-227-7253, ext. 107, or b.newman@earthplace.org; Meg George at 203-226-8981, ext. 179, or mgeorge@westporty.org.

Y Groundbreaking Photo Highlights: What We’re Building … Why It Matters

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 by:Family Y
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Y Trustee Chair Jim Marpe (right) with Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff.

The real work of Building What Matters — a modern new home for the Westport Weston Family Y  — is under way, following the official groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at the Y’s 32-acre Mahackeno campus.

“The Y has always served as a center of community life and wellness for our local citizens of all ages,” said Jim Marpe, Chair of the Family Y’s governing Board of Trustees. “Today, we are taking a very important next step in assuring that our mission of community center and wellness continues, not just for the current generation of those who live and work in our towns, but also for future generations of local families for decades to come.”

“We knew what we were doing would be good for the community,” said Rob Reeves, the Y’s chief executive officer, as reported yesterday by Westport News’ Paul Schott. “We stayed the course and stayed positive and met all the expectations of all the governing bodies. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work over many, many years.” To read the complete article, please click here.

Enjoy our gallery of images from this landmark occasion. Below that collection, you’ll find some wonderful renderings of what our new Family Y will look like from both the outside and inside. And following that are some images of the transformative work being done in preparation of the start of actual construction.

For more information about our new Y, please click on this link to the Y website. Thanks!

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