Category Archives: School Breaks

What’s Happening at the Y – Good Friday programs, swim try outs and more

Try the Y!

The Y is free and open to all on Mondays throughout March. Just stop by 276 Church
Street with a valid ID, and they’ll waive the regular guest fees.

Registration for Late Spring Programs

Registration for Late Spring Programs opens March 26th for Y members and April 2nd for the community. Programs begin the week of April 23rd. Some highlights include:

  • NFL Flag Football League for grades 1-7. Participants will learn new skills and try different positions while playing 6 versus 6 flag football on the Y’s turf field. Sign up as an individual or create a team with friends.
  • Climbing Club for ages 7-12. Learn the fundamentals of climbing with a focus on teamwork as participants learn climbing terminology, how to back up a belay, foot technique and more.
  • Swim Lessons for all ages. Summer is right around the corner. Are you and your family ready? Start young in one of our infant or toddler swim classes and build your child’s confidence in and around water.

Visit wsymca.org to register online or stop by the Y’s Welcome Center at 276 Church Street, Newton.

School Holiday Programs on March 30th

The West Suburban YMCA is offering full day and half day program options on Good Friday.

  • Child Care Department – A well-rounded program that includes time for floor games, arts and crafts, snack, lunch and the option to swim. For more information or to sign up for this program, contact Director of Youth and Teen Programs, Jeremy Smith, at 617-244-6050 x3068.
  • Sports Department – For kids who like to be active and moving all day, sign up for the Y’s Good Friday Sports Program. Activities include Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Floor Hockey, Flag Football, Capture the Flag, Battleship and more. For more information or to sign up for this program, contact Assistant Sports Director, Ray Isales, at 617-244-6050 x3131

Blue Waves Swim Try Outs

The Blue Waves Swim Team at the West Suburban YMCA is a nationally ranked competitive swim team for ages 6-17. All new swimmers looking to join the Blue Waves Swim Team for the Spring/Summer Long Course Season are required to try out. Try outs will be held April 3rd – 5th and swimmers must pre-register for a try out slot ($5 for members / $10 for non-members). Try out registration is available online at wsymca.org or by calling 617-244-6050 x3086.

Leadership and Public Speaking Workshop

Lumos is running a 2-day Debate Workshop during April Vacation Break. Your child will study public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership with experienced instructors.

The class is lots of fun and very active – a good class even for shy or quiet kids. The class is open to students Grades 6-9. For more information call 617-901-4564. Register at: camp.lumosdebate.com/workshop/

Vacation Week Family Movie Day

The Newton Parks & Recreation Department and West Newton Cinema have teamed up to offer family movies on February 22rd. Coco and Paddington 2 will run at 11:00 am.

Special pricing is $8.00 and includes movie, popcorn and drink. Ticket sales (cash only) begin at 10:00 am. See http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/87710 for more information.

Try the Y!

Free and open to all on Mondays throughout March. Just stop by the Y at 276 Church Street with a valid ID, and they’ll waive the regular guest fees.

Early Spring Programs

Registration for Early Spring Programs is open. Programs run February 26th –  April 15. Visit wsymca.org to register online or stop by the Y’s Welcome Center at 276 Church Street, Newton, MA.

  • ·Swim Lessons for all ages
  • Youth Sports Leagues & Classes – New Teen Basketball League, Flag Football, Soccer and Karate
  • Private Music Lessons and Rock Band Program
  • Personal Training
  • New! Kids Yoga and Dance Classes

Just for Teens

The West Suburban YMCA offers a safe space for teens to connect with the YMCA community and build relationships with their peers. Drop in to open Rec Time on weeknights, Monday-Thursday from 6:00 – 9:00 pm to spend time with friends or make new ones while playing table games, board games, and Wii! Teens who are looking to make healthy changes or develop fitness goals are invited to try the Y’s Teen Fit program, Monday-Friday from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. To learn more, contact Youth & Teen Program Director, Jeremy Smith at jeremys@wsymca.org.

Sign Up for Summer Camps!

All summer long, the West Suburban YMCA keeps kids engaged and safe with camp programs. They inspire kids to work and play together, creating friendships that can last a lifetime, and make sure all kids feel welcome and comfortable being themselves. Registration is currently open for all WSYMCA summer camps! Sign up with a $100 deposit per session.

  • Day Camps – Weekly sessions, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am –4:00 pm. Daily Swim lessons are included and extended care is available both in the morning and afternoon.
  • Camp Chickami is a traditional outdoor camp located in Wayland welcoming boys and girls ages 6-15. Bus transportation is available from the West Suburban YMCA and stops throughout Newton.
  • Camp Pikati, located at the West Suburban YMCA, welcomes kids between the ages of 3-15 years with a half-day option young campers (ages 3-4). Pikati campers enjoy weekly themes in the traditional camp program, or they can participate in Pikati Sports Camp.
  • Overnight Camp – Camp Frank A. Day is located in East Brookfield and welcomes boys and girls ages 7-15. Spanning 52 acres, Camp Frank A. Day has direct lake access with a beachfront, athletic fields, modern cabins, basketball courts, climbing towers and all the facilities needed to run a fun and safe summer camp.

For more information on summer camps, come to the Y on March 3rd,  12:00 – 2:00 pm, contact campings@wsymca.org, or call 617-244-6050 x 3008.

Summer Sessions from the YCCA (Ages 12 and up)

Registration is open for the West Suburban YMCA Center for the Creative Arts (YCCA) Summer Sessions – a one-of-a-kind collaborative summer music program where participants write and record their own songs.

Participants will build and improve upon the creative skills of songwriting, filming, audio engineering, video editing, production, and instrumental or vocal performance while creating a complete, professional project featured on Spotify!  For more information, contact Kevin O’Connell at x 3208.

Session 1: July 2–13
Session 2: July 16–27
Session 3: July 30–August 10
Session 4: August 13–24

Kids’ Night Out (Ages 7-13) –  March 2nd, 6:00 – 10:00 pm

The West Suburban YMCA invites parents to bring their children to the Y for a fun and supervised Friday night program. Children will enjoy pizza for dinner and engage in games, swimming, movies and sports! Kids’ Night Out is held on the 1st Friday of each month. For more information, contact the Y’s Youth & Teen Services Director, Jeremy Smith at jeremys@wsymca.org.

Poetry and Open Mic Night –  March 2nd, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Free and open to the public! Organized by Barbara Helfogtt-Hyett, of Poemworks.com, listen to local poets and sign up for the open mic portion of the evening to share your poetry. Featuring live music from YCCA musicians. This events repeats on the first Friday of each month.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs

The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is our mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x 3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Vacation Week Drop in Play Space

Looking for a fun place for you and your toddler to spend the morning during February
vacation? On February 21st and February 23rd from 9:30 – 11:00 am, join Time for Partners Art & Music teacher, Paula Gannon, at a drop-in Playspace at Newton City Hall.

For children ages 18 months to 5 years with a caregiver – make an art project, make some music and make new friends! You do not need to be a registered participant in the Time for Partners class to enjoy this fun vacation program, just drop in! $10.00 per child or $25.00 per family. Any questions, please call 617-796-1540.

Leadership and Public Speaking Workshop

Lumos is running a 2-day Debate Workshop during February and April vacation breaks. Your child will study public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership with experienced instructors. The class is lots of fun and very active – a good class even for for shy or quiet kids. The class is open to students Grades 6-9.

For more information call 617-901-4564. Register at: camp.lumosdebate.com/workshop/

Happily ever after…..the Tanglewood Marionettes present “Cinderella”

A classic fairy tale told with wit and style, this production of “Cinderella” is a Tanglewood Marionettes showpiece. Set in the eighteenth century and featuring a dozen lavishly costumed 30” marionettes, the story unfolds as the pages of a giant book open to reveal each beautifully painted setting – the village square, the rustic kitchen, the magnificent ballroom, plus many more. All your favorite characters are here, from gentle Cinderella to the bumptious stepsisters and the charming Prince.

Based on the original beloved tale, there are a few new surprises: Cinderella’s method of conveyance to the ball is NOT the traditional horse-drawn coach, and, when all hope seems lost, a clever little bluebird saves the day for Cinderella. Tickets $8.00 in advance at www.newtoncommunitypride.org or $10.00 at the door.

During school vacation, February 22nd, 11:00 am and 1:30 pm at the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall.

NCE Kids February Vacation Programs

NCE Kids is offering a variety of vacation programs for kids of all ages during February Break.

Kids, spend vacation with NCE! Learn more at newtoncommunityed.org.

Vacation Week Drop in Play Space

Looking for a fun place for you and your toddler to spend the morning during February vacation? On Wednesday, February 21st and Friday, February 23rd from 9:30 – 11:00 am, join Time for Partners Art & Music teacher Paula Gannon at a drop-in Playspace at Newton City Hall.

For children ages 18 months to 5 years with a caregiver – make an art project, make some music and make new friends! You do not need to be a registered participant in the Time for Partners class to enjoy this fun vacation program, just drop in! $10.00 per child or $25.00 per family. Any questions, please call 617-796-1540.