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Archive for the ‘Early Learning’ Category

Help Celebrate Westport’s Greenday on Sunday

Friday, April 26, 2013 by:Family Y
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Greenday logoLots of fun ways for you and your family to join in our community’s  Greenday celebrations on Sunday, including activities from 12 to 2 pm at Earthplace, our Family Y’s summer-camp partner.
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There will be guided nature walks and pond science demos, as well as a toy solar-car building activity at Earthplace’s 62-acre nature sanctuary at 10 Woodside Lane in the Old Hill section of Westport.

If you missed the Mahackeno-Earthplace Summer Camp 2013 Open House at Earthplace last weekend, stop by Earthplace on Sunday to tour our campers’ wonderful new locale for summer fun.

Earthplace gang“It was great to see so many Mahackeno faces and meet some new Earthplace families,” says Camp and Youth Director Meg George of the day. “Some of our camp sessions are already starting to fill up,” she adds. “Our Grade 1 and 3 as well as our LIT/CIT and Trackers groups already have some weeks will less than 5 spots left, so don’t wait on registering if you need specific weeks.”

“We have been able to add a few spaces to our 3rd Grade group, but only by borrowing some spots from other grades,” Meg continues. “We currently have less than 10 spots left in all the sessions for Grades 5, 6 and 7. And many of our sessions for Grades 1, 2 and 3 are more than half full. Unlike previous summers at Mahackeno, once these sessions and grades are full, we won’t be able to add any groups at the last minute.

Please keep this in mind as you make your summer plans. We don’t want to see anyone miss out on a chance to be a part of Earthplace-Mahackeno Summer Camp 2013!”

You can find links to the registration paperwork, as well as details about each Weekly Theme, at Camp Registration Forms.
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May is National Water Safety Month, and as swim season approaches, the Family Y encourages local children and parents to explore the many benefits of swimming, while also keeping safety top of mind.  In the Y’s swim programs, participants can enjoy water sports, enhance or learn new techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence, while also learning safety skills that can save lives.

Enrollment is under way for our popular Hafaday Summer Swim Lesson Program; parents are encouraged to sign up their children soon, as most sessions fill to capacity.
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What’s more, registration for the Y’s Summer Session begins Monday, May 6, with new classes starting on June 24. There are a variety of programs to choose, including parent-child swim classes, pre-school and youth swim lessons, as well as semi- and private swim lessons, at any age, with or without a parent. Click here to view our 28-page online brochure.

 

A young swimmer takes the plunge at the Splash! Week learn-to-swim program at the Y held during the April School Break.

A young swimmer takes the plunge at the Splash! Week learn-to-swim program at the Y held during the April School Break.

The Y’s Healthy Kids Day, Saturday, Apr. 27

Monday, April 22, 2013 by:Family Y
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The Tooth Fairy always brings a smile to kids at Healthy Kids Day, thanks to our friends at Kids First Dentistry.

On Saturday, April 27, 9 am to 12 noon, the Westport Weston Family Y is celebrating YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event that encourages children to get moving and learning, and families living healthier. Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and kick-starts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children’s health.

Many U.S. children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, and daily amounts of healthy foods. According to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year – only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity, only 17 percent read books for fun, and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.

“At the Family Y, we know parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day. We want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school,” said Meaghan George, Camp and Youth Director. “YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future.”

Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. On April 27, YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.

The Family Y’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at the Y’s facility at 59 Post Road East in downtown Westport from 9 am to 12 noon and features fun, active play and educational activities.

The Westport Weston Family Y is proud to host representatives from Earthplace, Whole Foods, NY Life, Kids First Dentistry and New England Smart Energy as well as First Responders from Westport, who will be sharing their talents and running various activities for the children and families visiting. We are also excited to be hosting a Water Safety talk at 9:30 am and a YMCA Family First Boot Camp at 10:30, free of charge.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by national media partners Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Saturday, April 27, is also the day of the Westport Mini Maker Faire, a community-organized event that brings together science, crafts, arts, engineering, technology, music and workshops. This family friendly event will take place from 10 am to 4 pm at the Westport Library and on Jesup Green, just a short stroll from the Y, and will showcase the work of a variety of makers from Westport and beyond.

So make a healthy day of it for body, mind and spirit for the entire family, starting off with a visit to the Westport Weston Family Y for Healthy Kids Day! For more information, contact Meaghan George at 203-226-898 or visit www.westporty.org.

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.

At the Family Y, Early Years Are Learning Years

Monday, April 15, 2013 by:Family Y
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Making washing hands a habit -- and fun!

Making washing hands a habit — and fun!

The Westport Weston Family Y’s Early Learning Programs are celebrating the 2013 Week of the Young Child, Apr. 14-20. This annual celebration, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is designed to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families — and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

The theme of this year’s Week of the Young Child is Early Years Are Learning Years, and Director Tasha Dennison and her teachers are celebrating the week with activities designed to enhance and teach our students life skills that will carry over to their home life. Just one example is the “working as buddies” art project, examples of which you see in the photo gallery below, showing recent photos of the kids and their artwork on display throughout the Y’s Child Care Center.

The Family Y’s Early Learning Program is accredited by the NAEYC – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals. A mark of excellence held by just 8 percent of programs in the country, NAEYC accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.

The Family Y Early Learning Program offers developmentally appropriate care to meet the needs of families who live and work in Westport, Weston and surrounding communities. For more information about the Family Y’s Early Learning and School Age programs, please visit www.westporty.org, or contact Tasha Dennison directly, 203-226-8981, ext. 113, or ldennison@westporty.org. For more information about NAEYC accreditation, visit www.naeyc.org/academy.

Spring Break Programs at the Family Y, Apr. 15-19

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 by:Family Y
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A youngster enjoys Adventure Gym at the Family Y's Gymnastic Center; it takes place on weekdays, 9-11 am.

Registration is now under way for a host of special programs and activities taking place at the Westport Weston Family Y during the upcoming Spring Recess for local schools, Apr. 15-19. These special programs are open to Y Members and non-members alike.

Splash! Week. Our newest learn-to-swim program is a great way to introduce young children to water safety and swimming basics. And thanks to generous support from the Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities, the fee for Splash! Week is only $20 for five daily half-hour lessons — and all participating kids receive free water-safety gifts. Several morning sessions are scheduled for both age groups (ages 3 to 5 and ages 6 to 12) and all will feature a 30-minute swim lesson Monday-Thursday, a special visit from Stewie the Duck on Wednesday, and an open swim during the Friday sessions to practice what you’ve learned during the week. Click here to register.

Vacation Gymnastics & Swim Camp. Learn to improve your gymnastics skills — and swim each day. This camp is for kids age six and older and takes place from 12 to 4 pm all week long. Bring a snack and a drink; participants must be able to swim without a flotation device. There’s also a daily drop-in option for this fun program, coordinated by Senior Sports & Recreation Director Sally Silverstein, who heads up the Y’s nationally renowned competitive gymnastics program. The fee is $165 for the week for all participants, or $40 per day. Click here to register.

School Vacation Program. Can’t get away from work while your kids are off for the week? The Family Y’s School Age program provides days packed with fun activities at the Y for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade. There are daily field trips in the morning and swim time in the afternoon. Drop-off at the Y begins at 7 am, with pick-up until 6 pm. For more information or to register your child, please contact Tasha Dennison, Senior Director for Child Care and School Age, at 203-226-8981, ext. 113 or tdennison@westporty.org.

Toddler Adventure Gym. Each weekday from 9 to 11 am, our Gymnastic Center is a wonderland of bouncy cushions, mini-slides and other tyke-size tumbling. The price is $10 a session, and it’s open to all children ages 6 months to 4 years old and their parents or guardians.

Click here to access our online registration system. If you have a question or would like more information, please call the Y’s Member Services Desk at 203-226-8981.

Toddler Adventure Gym Is Hoppin’ at the Family Y!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 by:Family Y
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Whether it’s due to March Madness, Spring Fever or some inner “Easter Bunnies” getting some exercise, the Westport Weston Family Y’s daily Toddler Adventure Gym has been hopping this week! Open to all and held 9-11 am each weekday, the cost is $10 per session, payable at the Gymnastic Center. Come by for a play date!

For more about the Family Y’s gymnastics programs, visit www.westporty.org or call Sally Silverstein, Sports & Recreation Director, at 203-226-8981.

Good Friday Vacation Special at the Family Y

Friday, March 22, 2013 by:Family Y
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Children from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade are invited to join the Westport Weston Family Y’s Early Learning Program for a special trip to Pump It Up in Norwalk on Good Friday, March 29. They’ll have a few of hours of play (bounce houses, rock walls, obstacle courses, giant slides), enjoy lunch as a group and then return to the Y for swimming in the late afternoon.

Drop off is between 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Pick up is between 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. The fee is $90, and the program is open to all local schoolchildren. Space is limited, so please sign up now to ensure your spot for the day!

For more information about the Family Y’s Child Care and School Age programs, please click here, or call Tasha Dennison, at 203-226-8981, ext. 113.

Registration is now under way for a host of special programs and activities taking place at our Family Y during the upcoming Spring Recess for local schools, Apr. 15-19. These special programs are open to Y Members and non-members alike. For details, click here.

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.

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