From tots to half-court shots

“Learn To” Programming for Tots

The Club is in the midst of the 2nd session of our new “Learn To” programming for 3-5 year olds. The current session of classes takes place on weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings. We are offering programs in many of our core program areas including Athletics (Basketball, Floor Hockey and Soccer), Aquatics (Swim Lessons and Family Swim), Fine Arts (Art for Me), Music (Music Exploration), and Education (Science for Me, Puppet Theater - Literacy). Registration is ongoing and the current session of classes will run through early February. Please note that there is a $35 fee for each 8-week session of classes. Prior to registering you will need to fill out a membership application for each child. For more information please contact Kevin Vo, Membership Coordinator, at 617-288-7120, ext. 1000 or Mary Kinsella VP of Early Education & Care programs, at ext. 2140.

Walter Denney Youth Center News

Our Denney Center Unit, which is located in the Harbor Point Housing complex, offers drop-in activities for ages 5 to 18. The after-school drop-in program offers activities from 3:00 to 6 p.m. for ages 5-12 while members ages 13-18 can attend from 6 to 9 p.m. During the afternoon portion of the program members can take part in Art Classes, the U-Mass Tutoring program, and a variety of small group clubs such as Healthy Lifestyles, Cooking Club, Girls Group and Boys Group. In addition, the Patriot’s Kids Café program provides a hot, nutritious meal each afternoon. In the evening hours our teen members can join the Keystone Club Leadership program, Philosophy Club, play sports at the McCormack gym or be part of the Career Prep employment program. There are also small group activities, field trips, and extended hours during next week’s school vacation break. During the break the Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for members ages 5 to 12 and from 5 to 9 p.m. for our teen members. Vacation week trips include the Movies (12/27), Bowling (12/28) and Roller Skating (12/29). Heading into the New Year, events on the calendar include the Shawnee Peak Ski Outing (1/7), the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service event with U-Mass Boston (1/16), and our Annual Winter Open House (1/27). In addition to the programs listed above we also offer a monthly Parents Forum, teen Munch & Mingle and inter-active programs with our other Clubhouse locations. For information on programs being offered at the Walter Denney Youth Center please contact Unit Director, Queenette Santos at 617-822-3701.

Teen Program News

The Teen program at the Club, which is open to registered members ages 13 to 18, will close out the year with extended hours during the upcoming school vacation. From 12/27 to 12/30 the Center will be open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and we will be offering a variety of drop-in activities and trips each day. After the first of the year the Winter program will kick-in. Teen members can look forward to the return of our small group clubs, movie night and Friday night trips. Other Teen based activities include the Career Prep employment program and our Leadership Development program, the Keystone Club. The Career Prep program offers employment to deserving and qualified teens throughout all program areas. These teen leaders assist area directors with the implementation of activities and supervision of club members. The program is offered in partnership with the Boston Youth Fund. Meanwhile, the Keystone Club recently took part in service projects with Boston Medical Center and Christmas in the City. Upcoming events for the group include hosting an inter-Club Scavenger Hunt (12/29) and a January Raffle fundraiser. The Keystone Club meets every other week and the members of the group rotate throughout the year leading various community service based activities. For more information please contact Teen Director, Stacie Moretti at ext. 1430.

Winter Basketball Program

This Winter the Club will offer two clinic programs, three intramural leagues and 4 All-Star Basketball teams playing in the N.E.N.E.A.P.C. League against Boys and Girls Clubs from the region. Our two Clinics, Little Rim for ages 6 & 7, and Low Rim, for participants in the Low Rim leagues will be held on Saturdays. The Intramural leagues include Boys Low Rim (ages 11 & U on Thursdays), Girls Low Rim (ages 12 & U on Fridays) and 14 & under C-ed (Saturday mornings). League play will begin in January. Our four All-Star teams have been hosting try-outs in anticipation of the start of the season in January. All four teams will take part in regular season play into March followed by the play-off tournament for those teams qualifying. For more information on our Winter Athletic program, please contact Athletic Director, Bruce Seals at 617-288-7120, ext. 2210.