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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.

Why I Picture Myself at the Family Y — And How You Can, Too

Tuesday, March 5, 2013 by:Family Y
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A mockup of the mosaic being created of Kassie Foss' watercolor of the Bedford Building.

Earlier this year, the Family Y launched a new fundraising effort that gives members and supporters throughout the community a creative way to help fund the construction of the new Y facility now being built on our 32-acre Mahackeno campus just north of downtown Westport.

Called Picture Yourself at the New Family Y, this innovative campaign involves the creation of a large wall mural at the new Y to be composed of thousands of individual photographs of Y members and supporters. The picture on which the mosaic is based is “The Westport-Weston YMCA,” a watercolor by artist Kassie Foss of the Family Y’s historic Bedford Building.

Think of this picture mosaic as a digital version of the traditional ‘buy a brick’ fundraiser: Instead of paying for an inscribed brick or tile, contributors upload a favorite photo at www.pictureyournewy.org, along with a tax-deductible contribution to the Family Y’s “Building What Matters” capital campaign. Donors are able locate their photos within this online mosaic, as well as search for those of friends and neighbors.

Each and every photo within our growing mosaic tells a personal story, and together they form the larger story of the Family Y and the generations of local families we’ve been proud to serve.

We asked a recent contributor to our mosaic, longtime Y member Adrienne Williams, to share her own family’s Y story. Here it is:

My family’s connection to the Westport Weston Family Y began in 2001 when we moved to Westport from Washington, D.C. The Y was a perfect fit for our young family, offering great exercise facilities and various youth classes my children could enjoy.

Daniel Williams competing for the Water Rats in a Butterfly race.

I can still remember coming to the Y 12 years ago and dropping off my younger son, Joey, with Patti at babysitting. It was great to be able to work out and know that my son was being taken care of. While my children have outgrown the need for babysitting, I still use the Y all the time to lift weights and do cardio workouts.

The Y has been a tremendous part of my children’s lives. Both boys started out taking swim lessons and gymnastics classes and then became members of the Water Rat Swim Team. My eldest, Daniel, joined the team in 2005, after spending the previous year on the Bluefish “pre-team.” The coaches are fantastic and really care about the kids. The team also offers a healthy environment where everyone is encouraged to participate and try to do their best.

In the summer of 2010, Daniel got the CT State record for the boys 11/12-year-old 200M Butterfly and held that record until it was broken last winter. One of the pictures I submitted shows Daniel in a 200M Butterfly race. Daniel would not be the swimmer he is today without the commitment and talent that the Water Rat coaches provide. Daniel and a large group of other swimmers now participate on the Y’s National team, which will be attending the Y Nationals Swim Championships in Greensboro, N.C. this April. It’s hard to believe that it all started with swim lessons at the Y.

Joey Williams, doing his Michael Phelps imitation.

My younger son Joey is also a Water Rat. He enjoys the camaraderie of the team and has made some good friends because of his swimming. The coaches enjoy Joey’s wit, and he is known for his turn of a phrase. Always looking to ham it up, Joey had taken to flapping his arms like Michael Phelps before his races. One of the pictures I submitted of Joey captures his enthusiasm after finishing a race as he imitated the now famous Michael Phelps’ 8th gold medal Olympic pose. That’s part of what the Water Rats are about — having fun.

For us, the Water Rats are more than a sport our children can enjoy — it has become a family affair. Like many other Water Rat parents, I became involved in the swim program. I started out as a volunteer at swim meets, and then became a member of the Water Rats Parents’ Club. I have held several positions on the board, including Age Group representative, Meet Chair, and am now the Co-President of the Club. It has been a great joy to work with the coaches and other parents to support the Y’s swim team.

Adrienne Williams, with the family pet, Mongo.

For my family, the Y has been a great part of our lives. But the Y does so much more for the community: Hafaday swim lessons, child care, gymnastics, sports programs, Camp Mahackeno and the Strong Kids Campaign, which gives all kids the opportunity to experience all that the Y offers, regardless of financial or physical ability.

I am personally thrilled that a new facility is being built to support all the families who live and work in our community. But to be sure the new facility can operate in a fiscally sustainable manner, we need to continue providing our financial support. That is why it is so important to me to participate in fundraising efforts like “Picture Yourself at the New Family Y.” With the help of all those who participate, we can ensure that the new Y at Mahackeno will truly be a facility that everyone can use for many years to come — whether they are swimmers, fitness enthusiasts, basketball players or a youth (or senior) who is looking for a place to hang out with friends. So I hope others join me and picture themselves at the New Westport Weston Family Y.

Thank you, Adrienne, for all that you do on behalf of our Family Y.

Join her and other Y supporters and become a part of Y history. Visit www.pictureyournewy.org to donate and upload your own photo today.

For more information about the Y’s Building What Matters capital campaign, or to discuss making an additional contribution or multi-year pledge, contact Paul Bernetsky, Chief Development Officer, at 203-226-8981, ext. 115, or pberntesky@westporty.org.

Winter School Break Programs at the Family Y, Feb. 18-22

Sunday, February 10, 2013 by:Family Y
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There are activities and special programs for kids of all ages at the Y during the upcoming school vacation.

Planning a ‘staycation’ at home during the upcoming Winter Recess for Westport public schools? Have your kids climb our walls, not yours, by making the Family Y part of your family’s plans for the week.

The special programs taking place at the Y the week of February 18-22 are open to Y Members and non-members alike. Guest passes and daily drop-in options are also available for a host of other recreational options for all ages and abilities.

What follows is a listing of some of the fun to be had at the Family Y during the February school break. For more information or to register,call the Y’s Member Services Desk at 203-226-8981.

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 camp runs from Monday through Thursday from 12 to 2 pm. The camp is $180 for Y members and non-members and is limited to 15 students. Participants are asked to bring a snack and drink each day. (Note: Early registration is advised; last summer’s Princess Dance Camp was wait list only.)

Hafaday Swim Lesson Program. Designed for children ages 4 to 8 and held each day 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. The cost is $270 for Y members; $295 for non-members.

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. To register, click here.

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.

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 afternoons. 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.

And who says you have to be a kid to enjoy Winter Recess?

Instructor Perry Moody (foreground) teaches a TRX class in the upstairs studio of the Bedford Building.

Y members know to take advantage of any of the dozens of group-fitness classes held each week, in addition to self-paced workouts in the Fitness Center, pools or gym. A single-use guest pass is $20 for adults and families; $10 for youth/students and seniors, and affords guests all the privileges of Y membership for the day. (A guest may use up to three guest pass receipts toward the purchase of an annual membership.)

Babysitting at the Y is available for children 3 months to 6 years of age, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 1 pm and on Saturdays from 8 to 11 am. This service is free for Y members who are participating in Y activities (parents must remain in the building at all times). Drop-in service is on a space available basis only; the fee for non-member is $10; $5 for each additional child. Please call 203-226-8981, ext. 132 ahead of time for availability.

For quality time for the whole family, we’ve scheduled hours of free time in our three pools and Upper Gym; check http://www.westporty.org for daily schedules for the Upper Gym, Stauffer Pool (with diving board), Stauffer Shallows and warm-water Brophy Pool.

The Gymnastic Center also offers an open session on Sundays from 1 to 3 pm for children age 13 and older. It’s available to any level gymnast, and coaching staff is on hand to help spot, monitor and instruct students if needed (drop-in fee paid at the Gymnastic Center).

Visit from the Tooth Fairy Brings Smiles to Y Child Care Kids

Friday, February 8, 2013 by:Family Y
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The Tooth Fairy brightened our Y kids' day, courtesy of Kids First Dentistry of Fairfield.

Children in the Westport Weston Family Y’s Early Learning Program got a special visit on Thursday, Feb. 7, from the Tooth Fairy.

Dressed in a long pink gown, including wings, our Fairy friend entertained toddlers and pre-schoolers while she talked about the daily habits that lead to good health and pearly whites that last a lifetime.

“Kids, so tell me, what goes into your sippy cups?” she asked. “Is it juice, or soda, or water…”

“Water!” came the merry shout-outs.

Our Family Y kids were spot-on with their responses (although “milk” is also a good answer) because they’re part of a child care program that’s committed to following nutritional, lifestyle and exercise guidelines adopted by nearly 10,000 early-childhood and after-school programs across the country to help ensure that more children have access to healthy food and physical activity.

Initiated in late 2011, the guidelines grow out of discussions the Y-USA had First Lady Michelle Obama and Partnership for a Healthier America, a nonprofit group dedicated to supporting Mrs. Obama’s campaign to reduce childhood obesity.

As our local community’s largest provider of child care services, “the Family Y’s Early Learning Program, Kinderkids and School Age Programs are dedicated to supporting and implementing new policy changes to reflect the new healthy living standards,” says Senior Director Tasha Dennison. To read more about this initiative, click here.

Specific healthy lifestyle policies and practices in place in the Family Y’s Child Care programs include:

  • Children are offered milk and water with snacks and meals;
  • Pre-packaged snacks are substituted with healthy alternatives whenever possible;
  • Children in all programs will be presented with a variety of health snack choices including seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables;
  • Each group has no less than an hour each morning and afternoon to provide the children in their care with gross motor activities and challenges;
  • Teachers will make educating parents about these healthy living standards a priority. Sharing articles and knowledge about the reasons behind the guidelines and providing parents with resources and healthy alternatives.

No doubt our Y kids went home last night with tales of the day, a more enthusiastic brushing after dinner, a sleepy, last-minute check for a wiggly tooth – and sweet dreams brought on the tooth fairy dust sprinkled over their heads.

One timely question surely helped them sleep well: “What happens when it snows? Does the Tooth Fairy still come?”

“Of course!” our Tooth Fairy replied, “Although sometimes it snows so much my wings don’t work very well. Then I have to drive my car…”

Stealing glimpses at the Fairy’s cute but stubby wings, the kids nodded knowingly, then focused in on a few pale little teeth the Fairy held cupped in her hand.

“Now, take a close look at these teeth,” the Fairy said as she walked past their tiny chairs. “Do you see that some have small dark spots on them? Now, how do you think they got there…?”

Tooth Fairy visits are a part of the educational outreach from Kids First Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Fairfield. (Spoiler alert: Our Tooth Fairy today was Laura Epifano.) As their website says, “The 30-minute, enthusiastic presentation includes colorful visuals, fairy dust, and songs, along with a discussion on the importance of good nutrition. The Tooth Fairy gives delightful presentations to children in the comfort of their own familiar environment. It truly goes a long way in establishing a positive foundation. Children develop a greater interest in their personal brushing habits.”

For more information or to schedule a visit to your own group of children, click here for the Kids First Dentistry website.

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. It is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (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,” says Rob Reeves, Family Y CEO. “Our role in supporting this nationwide campaign to reduce childhood obesity is a critical part in fostering a healthier future for the children in our care, and through them, every member of their family.”

Winter School Break Programs at the Y, Feb. 18-22

Thursday, January 24, 2013 by:Family Y
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Our Gymnastics Center makes a fun, cozy home for Toddler Adventure Gym, weekdays 9-11 am.

Planning a ‘staycation’ at home during the upcoming school break, February 18-22? Make the Family Y part of your family’s plans by registering your children for our School Vacation Program, which provides days packed with fun activities at the Y for 1st through 6th grade children. Click here for the sign-up forms. (Because of a staff development day on Feb. 18, this program will run from Tuesday-Friday.)

For children ages 4-8, there’s our popular Hafaday Swim Lesson Program. Taking place 8:45 am-12:30 pm each day during the winter recess, Hafaday has a lesson and free-swim period; arts and crafts and gym time to round out the fun. Click here to register.

Our Vacation Gymnastics & Swim camp is for kids age six and older and takes place from 12 to 4 pm all week long. Learn to improve your gymnastics skills — and swim each day. Bring a snack and a drink; participants must be able to swim without a flotation device. Sign up here. There’s also a daily drop-in option for this fun program.

And in the mornings, 9 – 11 am, there’s always our Adventure Gym for toddlers and kids up to 4 years old and their parents or guardians. Our gymnastics center is a great place during cold weather for some exercise and play time. The cost is only $10 per session and is open to all — invite your friends!

Christmas Comes Early for Y Child Care Kids

Sunday, December 23, 2012 by:Family Y
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The Family Y’s Child Care Center is bustling once again, after reopening on Dec. 10 following six weeks of rebuilding due to flood damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.

During the last week of classes before the holiday break, our Y Child Care kids got a wonderful package: A sheaf of hand-drawn cards and a generous check from YMCAs that are part of the Illinois Alliance of YMCAs.

When this group of Ys heard the news of our storm damage, they sprang into action to support our Family Y in its time of need. Contributions to help us rebuild our Child Care Center were gathered from Ys throughout Illinois: Illinois Valley YMCA, Alred Campanelli YMCA, The Decatur Family YMCA, Mattoon Area Family YMCA, Canton Family YMCA, Danville Family YMCA, The West Cook YMCA, Clinton Community YMCA, PAV YMCA and the Kishwaukee Family YMCA, as well as Ruth and Thomas Knous and Richard Clegg, Y Resource Director.

In all, our Y friends from Illinois collected $2,300, which is being used to pay for the entirely new collection of furniture and other material in our Child Care Center.

We thank these Ys and friends, and the many other families and individuals who have contributed to our annual fundraising campaign, which is being used not only to rebuild, but also to allow our Family Y to continue to help local families in need be able to be active in the Y, through financial aid, scholarships and other support.

Happy holidays to all from the Y Child Care kids and staff!

Take a stroll through the photo gallery below of the children and Y staffers reading the cards and enjoying their wonderful new Child Care Center!

Earthplace and Mahackeno to Collaborate on 2013 Summer Camp

Wednesday, December 19, 2012 by:Family Y
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Meaghan George and Becky Newman with a terrapin and turtle at Earthplace (Camp Mahackeno's longtime mascot is a snapping turtle from Lees Pond).

The Westport Weston Family Y and Earthplace, the Nature Discovery Center have announced plans to conduct a joint camp next summer at Earthplace. Located at 10 Woodside Lane in Westport, Earthplace is situated among a 62-acre wildlife sanctuary that features an interactive natural history museum, over two miles of trails, live animal hall, Birds of Prey and a preschool facility.

Camp Mahackeno, which has been home to the Family Y’s summer day camp since the early 1940s, will be unavailable next summer due to construction of the new Y facility on a portion of the Y’s 32-acre Mahackeno campus along the Saugatuck River, north of downtown Westport.

“We’re so excited about this partnership,” says Meaghan George, Camp and Youth Director for the Family Y. “Our Mahackeno campers will be in a wonderfully natural setting that’s close to our longtime home and that will also provide them great new opportunities to learn about nature, science and the environment while having fun.”

“We’re delighted to be able to host the Y’s Mahackeno counselors and campers next summer,” agrees Becky Newman, Camp Director for Earthplace. “Not only will our campers have access to the Y’s pools for free swim throughout the summer, the Y’s campers will experience a variety of Earthplace activities including pond studies, trail walks and animal encounters.”

Part of Earthplace's 62-acre property that will be used for some camp activities next summer.

Combining the two camp programs will require considerable teamwork among the two staffs as well as some enhancements to Earthplace’s current camp facilities. Camp capacity will increase to 175 campers, from grades 1 through 11. (Earthplace’s preschool program, which serves up to 50 children entering Kindergarten or younger, will continue to be registered and served by Earthplace staff.)

The combined camp operations next summer will also allow both nonprofit organizations to continue their charitable work with the towns of Westport and Weston, as well as with agencies such as the Fresh Air Fund, to provide scholarships and other financial assistance that will make it possible for deserving children to attend camp and to benefit from the life lessons summer camp offers all children.

Camp co-directors George and Newman are currently finalizing the weekly themes for the 2013 season as well as enrollment and registration procedures. Further information about the combined camp will be provided in coming weeks.  Be sure to visit both websites for the most up-to-date information.

“Talk about a win-win – I know both camps will learn new things from the one another about how to make our great local camp programs even better,” says Rob Reeves, Family Y CEO. “We thank Earthplace for giving our Mahackeno campers this opportunity next summer, and we look forward to collaborating in the future, sharing our facilities and expertise to serve local families and the community as a whole.”

Marie Dalton-Meyer, Interim Executive Director at Earthplace, welcomes this new partnership with Family Y. “We look forward to this collaboration, which offers great learning opportunities to all who attend and enables two great organizations a chance to work together on creating a new way to serve the community.”

A Thanksgiving Update from the Family Y

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 by:Family Y
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From all of us at the Family Y, we wish you and your family the happiest of Thanksgiving holidays. We also offer our most sincere thanks for your continued patience and understanding. Despite our current travails — or maybe because of them — we count our blessings and treasure all that we have, and what we hope to soon regain.

We are continuing to put the pieces of the intricate puzzle that is our Family Y back in place. If all goes well, we are hopeful that we will be able to safely resume limited operations sometime next week.

When we are able to give you an exact date of our re-opening, and the services we will be able to provide at that time, we will let you know as soon as possible via email, on westporty.org and other media.

Craig Pietrowicz, an employee of Northeast Generator in Bridgeport, looks at the damaged gym floor. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Post.

We are truly sorry for the disruption and inconvenience our temporary closure has caused our members and the community. As you may have read on the front page of the Connecticut Post this weekend, our Family Y is just one of the buildings in downtown Westport that remain closed due to damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.

Status of Repairs

Progress continues, though not without hurdles — most of them due to the age of our facility and of the antiquated systems that run it.

A second external generator is now online and supplying power to more of our facility, allowing the workers to proceed with the difficult task of repairing, reinstalling and then testing critical parts. However, this temporary hookup necessitated additional repairs: the electrical feed from the panel to our hot-water system needed to be completely rewired.

Pat Costanzo, our senior director of Property and Facilities Management, continues to orchestrate the various teams at work throughout the building. Among the specific tasks at hand:
  • The replacement parts for the boiler that heats the Bedford Building have been installed. We expect to fire it up today (Tuesday) and check it for operational safety.
  • The new heater for the Stauffer Pool will be installed this week. Once it’s operational, we will be able to proceed with the days-long task of bringing the now-chilled water back up to a tolerable temperature.
  • A phalanx of blowers, fans and heaters continue to dry the Child Care Center, which was inundated by water. When that task is complete, we will begin rebuilding that space. (For a more detailed update about our Child Care Center, including an account of the various offers of support to help rebuild it, please click here.)
  • Repairs to the sprinkler and fire-alarm systems are ongoing and once they are completed and heat and hot water are restored, we will be able to bring the inspectors in to re-certify the facility for use by our Members, staff and community.
Classes & Programs

As we strive to resume operations, we encourage Y Members to continue utilizing other area YMCAs through the “Always Welcome at the Y” AWAY reciprocal program.

Also, please check our home page for the current list of classes & programs taking place at alternate sites.

Membership Credit Options

Allow us to repeat the following important membership information from our previous update:

Here is a pdf of a notice we are mailing to all Family Y Members that outlines credit options covering the period from our closure on Oct. 29 through our re-opening. Please let us know if you would like to make any of the choices offered by following the instructions provided in the letter.

If you have a specific question or would like to volunteer your support, please contact Rob Reeves directly, via rreeves@westporty.org or 203-226-8981, ext. 131. Note: Family Y email will not be available Tuesday evening through Wed., 9 am. We need to take the servers down as part of the electrical panel testing.

To view a brief video about our efforts to “Re-Build What Matters,” please click on the image below.

Support the Y

To support our Family Y’s efforts to rebuild as well as to continue to help us provide financial assistance so that local families in need have access to our programs and services, please click here to access our online donation form, or contact Paul Bernetsky, Chief Development Officer, at 203-226-8981, ext. 115 or pbernetsky@westporty.org. (Use the Comment box to give us specific information about processing your gift. We thank you.)

More information about our Family Y, including photos, may be found at www.westporty.org as well as the Y’s Facebook page

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