Teen Programs
Overview of Teen Programs
As a teen at the Rockland County YMCA you will find programs that are tailored specifically to your needs and desires. The teen program emphasizes fun and excitement and offers the opportunity to develop new friends and expand your horizons. Naturally, the Y provides many ways to improve your physical fitness from strength and endurance training in the Fitness Center to participating in sports and sports clinics (swimming, basketball, volleyball and such). But we also offer programs for teen socialization such as Teen Movie Nights and Teen Recreation Nights. To combine aspects of both sets of programs consider participating in the Teen Leaders Club. This Club along with the Youth and Government program emphasize initiative, volunteerism and giving back to the community by working to make it stronger. By participating in these service-oriented programs you will make many new friends, build self confidence and leadership skills, see new places and have great fun.
Teen Recreation Nights (Grades 6 to 12) (NEW!)
Teens are invited to attend this program held as scheduled throughout the year. Activities include sports, swimming, dance, arts, crafts, poetry readings/creative writing and refreshments. Bathing suits, towel and bathing cap are required for swimming. The program will be supervised by YMCA staff and volunteers. Scheduled dates for the Teen Recreation Night will be posted on the Special Events webpage, the YMCA Calendar and in the YMCA Monthly ENewsletter. Click here to subscribe to the ENewsletter.
Teen Movie Nights (Grades 6 to 12) (NEW!)
On scheduled Friday nights selected movies will be shown and refreshments served. The movie will be supervised by YMCA staff and volunteers. Scheduled dates for the Teen Movie Night will be posted on the Special Events webpage, the YMCA Calendar and in the YMCA Monthly ENewsletter. Click here to subscribe to the ENewsletter.
Youth and Government Program (Grades 8 through 12)
Student delegates from the Rockland County YMCA who received a Premier District Award at New York State YMCA Youth and Government Conference in 2008.
Make a difference in your community by becoming involved in the political process. Get a taste of various public service careers to find if they match your interests and talents. Develop lasting friendships and expand your horizons. The YMCA Youth and Government is a national program involving thousands of teens in forty state programs all across the nation. The New York State YMCA Youth and Government program provides high school teens with an opportunity to have their voice heard and to learn how change is brought about through the democratic political process. You do this is a hands-on manner by playing the role of a legislator, attorney, judge, lobbyist, or journalist over the course of a three to four month Winter and Spring program.
- As a participant, you, with others in the program, will first identify a community issue of concern and develop a written plan of action in consultation with local YMCA and school leaders and government officials.
- Next, at a District Conference you will receive training in the legislative process, press relations and lobbying techniques and participate in a judicial seminar or model Appellate Court.
- In the third phase you will travel to Albany and participate in an intensive three day Albany Model Legislative Weekend (March 13-15, 2009) at the State Capital, Legislative Office Building and Judicial Building.
- In Phase 4 you will meet with your local assembly member and senator to lobby for bills passed by the Model Legislature, resolutions of the Judicial Conference and executive actions proposed in the Executive Report produced in Phase 3. More than eighty current New York State laws had their start in this program.
This program is open to teens in grades 9 to 12, and has included a few 7th and 8th grade students. Students may continue with the program each year throughout their stay at high school. Those who become Youth Officers and other outstanding participants go on to participate in the YMCA National Affairs Conference in Black Mountain, NC and the National Youth Governors Conference in Washington, DC.
Rockland County YMCA Student Delegates presenting their resolution at the Teddy Roosevelt House in Albany. From left to right: Jailyn Gardner, of Valhalla High School, Karina Edouard, Sophia Marshall and Nia England of Nyack High School. For a PDF (61 KB) copy of the press release on the 2008 conference click here.
We expect the next program to start in October or November of 2008. As the time approaches, more details will be posted regarding registration and fees. Visit www.nystateymcayag.org for a full description of the program.
Teen Leaders Club for Teens From the Village of Nyack (Grades 6 through 8) (NEW!)
The YMCA has started a Teen Leadership program based on the YMCA Teen Leaders Club model, which emphasizes leadership development and volunteer community service as well as recreational and fitness activities. The program is open to 6th through 8th graders who reside in the Village of Nyack. Activities will include swimming lessons for beginners and intermediate swimmers, dodge ball, badminton, floor hockey, volleyball, fitness training, art/fashion design, African drum/dance workshops, "rap sessions", homework tutoring and crewing with the River Rowing Association. Students will also participate in club activities where they select officers and do volunteer service projects for the YMCA and community. The students will plan their activities and volunteer projects with guidance from their advisors.
The program will run from 3:30 to 6:00 pm, Monday through Thursday from September 15 to June 15. Teen membership is required. The fee is $20 per week or $80 per month. You may register for this program at the front desk of the Nyack facility during the Fitness Registration periods or during business hours after September 15.
This program is made possible through a Community Service Block Grant to the Village of Nyack.