Category Archives: Sports

Run the Village Day 5K

Calling all runners, joggers and walkers! Join other Newton students and parents, friends and neighbors at the Newton Highlands Village Day 5K. It’s a low-key, family-friendly, all abilities run starting and ending at the Hyde Center in Newton Highlands. Many kids run their first 5K at this event which is such a great accomplishment. (It’s also fun to watch kids trying to out sprint their parents at the finish!)

Village Day in the Highlands follows at 11:00 am with all sorts of great activities — from bands to food to free inflatables and more. Registration is $30.oo per adult, $15.00 per child.

Register online here: villageday5k.racewire.com. Online registrations before May 26th are guaranteed a t-shirt in their size. Contact Maureen Oates at villageday5k@gmail.com if you have any questions! Happy running!

June 9th, 10:00 am

Newton Parks and Recreation summer camps

Now is the time to register for a Newton Parks and Recreation summer camp! Check out the programs at www.newtonma.gov/gov/parks and click on Camps. You can register online at www.activityreg.com or call 617-796-1500 for more information. These programs still have openings:

  • Kids Korner ages 3 – 5.  A great introduction to summer camp. Located at the Burr Park Community Center.
  • Albemarle Acres grades 1 – 6.  Group activities and swimming at Gath Pool. Located at the Horace Mann School.
  • Centre Acres grades 1 – 6. Group activities and swimming at Crystal Lake. Located at the Newton Centre Hut.
  • Outdoor Adventure grades 2 – 6.  Outdoor discovery and canoeing. Located at Nahanton Park on the Charles River.
  • Thundercat Sports ages 7 – 12. Learn the skills to play a variety of different sports each day. Located at Pellegrini Park.
  • Specialty Camp at Peirce School grades 2 – 8.  Specialty weeks that are still open include Ultimate Frisbee (grades 2-8), Puppet Lab (grades 3-8), Beyond Beginner Chess (grades 2-8), Mad Science (grades 2-6), or Science Robotics (grades 2-6). Located at Peirce School.
  • Acres in the Falls grades 5 – 8. Choice activities with field trips and swimming at Crystal Lake. Located at the Brigham House.
  • Counselor in Training Programs grades 8 – 11. Participate in a 2 or 3 week session to develop your camp counselor skills. Programs are available at several of our camp sites.

What’s Happening at the Y

National Police Week May 12th – 18th
In honor of National Police Week,  all area police officers are invited to try the Y for free during the week. Sign a waiver at the Welcome Center and show your badge or other proof you are law enforcement and try out the facilities free of charge. Please spread the word to your family and friends in law enforcement!

Family Fun Night May 14th,  6:00 – 7:00 pm
Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, gym games and more! Free and open to all. Family Fun Nights occur on the second Tuesday of every month.

Summer Camp Open Houses
Learn about the Y’s summer camps, meet the staff, take a tour, and discover which camp is right for your child.
YMCA Camp Pikati -Day camp at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton, MA for ages 3-15
May 11th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm and June 10th, 6:00 – 8:00pm
YMCA Camp Chickami – Day camp in Wayland, MA for grades 1-10
May 11th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and June 6th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
YMCA Camp Frank A. Day – Overnight camp in East Brookfield, MA for ages 7-16
May 19th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and June 2nd, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner – May 16th,  6:00 – 8:00 pm
The West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner celebrates the people who help fulfill the promise to strengthen the community – the members, staff, and volunteers! Join as they introduce new board members, take a look back at highlights from 2018, recognize generous donors and the people who make a difference at the Y. Please RSVP if you plan on attending the event: www.wsymca.org/rsvp

Safety Around Water Open House – May 19th, 12:00 – 2:30 pm
Join the Y for a free water safety open house, which includes a swim lesson and parent resources. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend! Water safety and learning to swim are vital life skills that should be taught just as readily as looking both ways before crossing the street. With summer right around the corner, this is a great time for parents to remember the importance of equipping children (and themselves!) with essential water safety skills. Please RSVP to this event here: www.wsymca.org/water-safety

Fitness Competition Fundraiser -May 22nd, 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
Lace up your sneakers and get ready to compete in the Y’s first ever Fitness Competition Fundraiser to benefit the West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Fund! You’ll be tested on three events: Maximum number of burpees in one minute, maximum number of wall balls in one minute, and maximum number of sled pushes in one minute. Participates can check in with a member of the fitness staff to complete the challenges! Entry fee is $25 and all proceeds go to the West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Fund, which allows the Health and Wellness Department to provide access to many life-changing programs such as Y Empower for young girls and Livestrong at the YMCA for cancer survivors. More information: donate.wsymca.org/fitcomp

Intro to Women’s Self Defense Class – May 29th,  6:00 – 9:00 pm
The West Suburban YMCA is proud to collaborate with the Newton Police Department to host an Intro to Women’s Self Defense class. In this three-hour class, participants will learn risk reduction strategies, physical techniques and basic combative moves. During the final part of the class, the Newton Police Instructors will put on protective suits and allow participants to practice what they just learned on a moving person. This event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required as space in the class is limited.

Family Bingo Night – May 30th, 6:00pm
Bring the whole family for a fun night of pizza, BINGO, and prizes! Cost is $20 per family if you pre-register, or $25 per family at the door. All proceeds go directly toward the West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Fund, which provides opportunities for children to grow socially and emotionally among their peers, have a safe space during after school hours, and gain access to healthier habits through swim and sports classes. More Information: donate.wsymca.org/bingo

Annual Golf Tournament – June 3rd at the Charles River Country Club
Since its inception, this charity golf tournament has raised over $1.25 million for the Y and those they serve. There is still time to sign up as a player or sponsor the event. To learn more, contact Andrea Newman at 617-244-6050 x3097 or andrean@wsymca.org.

Volunteers Needed: Can you read and write in Spanish, Chinese or Russian?
The Y is seeking volunteers to help with a one-time translation project that will help them better serve our community. If you are interested in helping or would like more details, please contact Kristen Hydinger at kristenh@wsymca.org.

New Summer Creative Arts Programs
Fill this summer with singing, dancing, painting, and more! With Creative Arts, youth can explore their creative side through group lessons, unique projects, and exploring what it means to be an artist. Explore exciting art mediums in the new Explorations! program for ages 6-10, learn to collaborate in the Summer Rock Band program for ages 8-17, or try the new Vocal Intensive Workshop for ages 12+.

2019-2020 After School Enrollment Open Now
The West Suburban YMCA Out-of-School Time program is committed to making a difference in the lives of every child and family who choose the Y for after school care. Their program is open to children in grades K-8, and transportation to the Y is available from most elementary schools in Newton. Enrollment is open for the 2019-2020 school year!

Work at the Y: The West Suburban YMCA is hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions in child care and youth development, aquatics, fitness and more. Great benefits, free membership and professional development opportunities. Please contact Laura Snow at lauras@wsymca.org or visit wsymca.org/careers.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Research study oppportunity for students

Scientists at the Neuroendocrine Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital are seeking particpants for the CARE Study. The CARE Study investigates the relationship between ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and hormones and regions of the brain. ARFID is characterized by eating a limited volume or variety due to taste selectivity, low appetite, or fear of aversive consequences such as choking or vomiting. They are looking for people who have ARFID and those who do not have any eating difficulties at all between the ages of 10-22 years old.

As a healthy control participant, there are two visits. First, the screening visit is approximately 3.5-4 hours and can be scheduled for any weekday at almost any time. During this visit, you will review the consent with our nurse practitioner, complete a brief history and physical exam, meet with nursing and nutrition to take a small blood draw, and finish the visit with an interview and questionnaires. The second visit is a full day visit lasting from 6:30am to 1:30 pm. This visit includes two different MRI scans, questionnaires, an interview, a smell and taste test, and an IV is placed in the morning because there will be blood draws throughout the visit. Once you complete the second visit you will earn up to $290.

If this research study sounds like something you are interested in, please complete the pre-screen survey in the link below: https://redcap.partners.org/redcap/surveys/?s=CEEHL9D3MD. Once you have completed this survey, You will be contacted for a brief phone-screening.

Join the Newton Kids PMC Bike Ride on May 19th

Get your bike ready to roll for the Newton Kids PMC Bike Ride on May 19th, 8:00 – 11:00 am. 100% of the money raised by riders goes towards cancer research and patient support at the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Center. Two-wheeled riders will zoom around a one-mile loop on Wells Avenue as many times as they can in 1 hour, while the 3-wheeled and balance bike crowd will tear it up on a separate tot course. Be sure to stick around for the POST-RIDE PARTY starting at 10:00 am. There will be food, face painting, bike decorating, raffles, and more.

Click here to register: Newton PMC Kids Ride 
They also need a lot of help from VOLUNTEERS: Here

Camp Kaleidoscope Counselor Openings

Make a difference in a child’s life! Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC’s arts and science day camp in Newton, is looking for wonderful staff who know how to make a camper’s day extraordinary. Must be available June 24th – August 16th, Monday through Friday, 8:40 am – 4:10 pm unless otherwise arranged.

Staff meetings are Monday afternoons and orientation is prior to camp. Buses are available from Cambridge, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Framingham and Wayland. All staff enjoy a free JCC summer fitness membership. Counselors must be at least 16 years old and rising HS seniors or older, with demonstrated leadership skills and experience working with children.

Lower and Middle Camp Counselors support and nurture campers entering grades K-3 in drama, art, science, music, sports and swimming. Upper Camp Counselors work with campers entering grades 4-8, teaching or assisting in classes. Needed: Teachers for sports and games, acrobatics, knitting, and more.

Camp Kaleidoscope is a pluralistic Jewish camp open to the entire community. More info and application at https://www.bostonjcc.org/summer-and-vacation-camps/camp-
kaleidoscope/join-camp-kaleidoscope-team or call 617 558-6523. To apply, send a resume to: Camp Kaleidoscope
333 Nahanton St., Newton, MA 02459
kaleidoscope@jccgb.org

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Healthy Kids Day – Inspiring kids to live up to their potential by being healthy, active and engaged! Join this free family event featuring healthy games and activities. Join in for a fun afternoon including:

• Bike decorating station and bike parade
• Book swap station – bring a book to donate and swap!
• Demonstration by players from BC Football
• Curious Creatures wild animal exhibit
• Bouncy house
• Obstacle course
• Face painting
• Live music
• Healthy snacks
• Free bike helmets and t-shirts while supplies last!

All event attendees are encouraged to bring their bikes and a book. Bring your bicycle for decorating and to join the bike parade around the track, and bring a book for the Book Swap Station to help counter summer learning loss and awaken imagination!
April 27th, 2:30 – 4:30 pm

Kids Night Out – Parents, drop off your kids for a fun Friday night with the Y’s staff. They’ll order pizza for dinner and keep the children entertained with games, swimming, movies and sports. $25 per child for Y members and $30 for the community. A 20% discount is offered per child for those with two or more children. Go out for the night and take advantage of this low-cost alternative to hiring a babysitter. Contact Jillian Finnigan at jillianf@wsymca.org for more information.
May 3rd, 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Poetry Night – Organized by Barbara Helfogtt-Hyett of Poemworks, the event features readings by two local poets, then guests are invited to participate in the open mic portion of evening to share their own written work. This event is free and open to the public.
May 3rd, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Family Fun Night – Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, gym games and more! Free and open to all. Family Fun Nights occur on the second Tuesday of every month.
May 14th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Summer Camp Open Houses – Learn about the Y’s summer camps, meet the staff, take a tour, and discover which camp is right for your child.

YMCA Camp Pikati is day camp at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton for ages 3-15
Open House May 11th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm or June 10th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm

YMCA Camp Chickami is day camp in Wayland, MA for grades 1-10
Open House May 11th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm or June 6th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm

YMCA Camp Frank A. Day is overnight camp in East Brookfield, MA for ages 7-16
Open House May 19th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm or June 2nd from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner – The West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner celebrates the people who help fulfill their promise to strengthen the community – our members, staff, and volunteers! Join as they introduce new board members, take a look back at highlights from 2018, recognize generous donors and the people who make a difference at the Y. Please RSVP if you plan on attending the event: www.wsymca.org/rsvp
May 16th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Safety Around Water Open House – We’re creating a new wave of impact! Join the Y for a free water safety open house, which includes a swim lesson and parent resources. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend! Water safety and learning to swim are vital life skills that should be taught just as readily as looking both ways before crossing the street. With summer right around the corner, this is a great time for parents to remember the importance of equipping children (and themselves!) with essential water safety skills. Please RSVP to this event here: www.wsymca.org/water-safety
May 19th, 12:00 – 2:30 pm

Intro to Women’s Self Defense Class – The West Suburban YMCA is proud to collaborate with the Newton Police Department to host the Intro to Women’s Self Defense class. In this three-hour class, participants will learn risk reduction strategies, physical techniques and basic combative moves. During the final part of the class, the Newton Police Instructors will put on protective suits and allow participants to practice what they just learned on a moving person. This event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required as space in the class is limited.
May 29th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Work at the Y: The West Suburban YMCA is hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions in child care and youth development, aquatics, fitness and more. Great benefits, free membership and professional development opportunities. Please contact Laura Snow at lauras@wsymca.org or visit wsymca.org/careers.

The Carroll Center for the Blind Walk for Independence

Join The Carroll Center for the Blind Walk for Independence. Get out and walk for a great cause. All are welcome to enjoy a cookout, great music, accessible games, giveaways, and much more. The school with the largest team wins an awesome prize! Register today www.carroll.org/walk.

April 28th, 10:00 am
770 Centre Street, Newton