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New Canaan YMCA

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Youth Recreation

Youth Recreation

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Program Guide
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Youth Recreation

WHERE OUR COMMUNITY’S KIDS COME TOGETHER TO HAVE FUN

Kids just want to have fun! We love providing a place and programs here at our Y where our community’s kids are able to be kids in a safe and fun environment. Through our Youth Recreation programs, kids have the opportunity to spend time with peers while enjoying fun activities that broaden their horizons to new things.

NEW! Creative Connections (Ages 2-3)

Get creative together in Creative Connections! This fun, hands-on art class is designed for preschoolers and their parents or caregivers to explore art through imagination, play, and sensory discovery. Each week features a new theme and creative project using a variety of materials—paint, clay, collage, and more! Class will be followed by a group lunch. Parent/child class. *Parents/guardians are responsible for bringing their own food for the group lunch. For additional information and any questions, contact Mason Capozza at 203-920-1651 or by email.

Lego Legends (Ages 3-5)

Lego Legends is an exciting and engaging program designed specifically for preschool-aged children! Our program uses the beloved and versatile Lego bricks to inspire creativity, foster problem-solving skills, and enhance fine motor development in young learners. For additional information and any questions, contact Mason Capozza at 203-920-1651 or by email.

Little Picassos (Ages 3-5)

Unleash your child’s creativity in Little Picasso’s! This fun and colorful class invites preschoolers to explore the world of art through hands-on projects using paint, clay, collage, and more. Each week, children will experiment with new materials and techniques while developing fine motor skills, self-expression, and confidence. For additional information and any questions, contact Mason Capozza at 203-920-1651 or by email.

Space Explorers (Ages 3-5)

Blast off into learning with Space Explorers, a fun and engaging outer space-themed class designed just for preschoolers! Each week, we’ll “travel” to a different planet, meet friendly aliens, learn about stars, moons, and galaxies in a playful, age-appropriate way. Whether we’re zooming through the solar system or making moon dust art, this class encourages curiosity, creativity, and cosmic fun! For additional information and any questions, contact Mason Capozza at 203-920-1651 or by email.

Storybook Art (Ages 3-5)

Storybook Art is designed to spark creativity and inspire young minds by combining the magic of storytelling with the fun of arts and crafts. Each session focuses on a different children’s storybook, where children not only experience the world of the story through reading but also engage in hands-on sensory art activities that bring the story to life. This program encourages self-expression, enhances fine motor skills, and fosters a love for both literature and creative arts. For additional information and any questions, contact Mason Capozza at 203-920-1651 or by email.

NEW! Tiny Tots Dance Discovery (Ages 3-5, Pre-K)

Step into the world of rhythm, movement, and creativity in our Tiny Tots Dance Discovery class! Designed for young dancers, this class introduces the core elements of dance, including basic technique, coordination, flexibility, and musicality. Through fun combinations, interactive exercises, and age-appropriate choreography, students will explore a variety of dance styles such as ballet, jazz, and hip-hop while building confidence and body awareness. For additional information and any questions, contact Mason Capozza at 203-920-1651 or by email.

NEW! Fundamentals of Dance (Ages 5-10)

Step into the world of rhythm, movement, and creativity in our Fundamentals of Dance class! Designed for young dancers, this class introduces the core elements of dance, including basic technique, coordination, flexibility, and musicality. Through fun combinations, interactive exercises, and age-appropriate choreography, students will explore a variety of dance styles such as ballet, jazz, and hip-hop while building confidence and body awareness. For additional information and any questions, contact Mason Capozza at 203-920-1651 or by email.

Master Builders (Ages 5-8)

Get ready to build, create, and imagine in Master Builders, the ultimate LEGO-building experience for school-aged kids! Each session features exciting building challenges, themed projects, and opportunities for free build time where creativity takes center stage. From designing towering skyscrapers and speedy vehicles to building working bridges and imaginative worlds, kids will sharpen their problem-solving skills while having tons of fun. Children will also have an opportunity to jump out extra energy in our Bouncing Bears Kid Zone. For additional information and any questions, contact Mason Capozza at 203-920-1651 or by email.

Parents’ Night Out (Ages 5-12)

Drop your kids off with us and have a parents’ night out! Join our New Canaan YMCA Family & Youth team on select Friday nights for a youth drop-off program. Children will rotate through sports, art, bouncing bears, gymnastics, and more during these fun-filled evenings. Pizza is included! For additional information and any questions, contact Ian Puebla at 203-920-1635 or by email.

Archery (Ages 8-10; 11-13)

Archery at the Y offers a fun, rewarding, and safe environment where students learn the skills and fundamentals of archery. No experience is needed! Our goal is for students to demonstrate proper shooting form, nocking, aiming, and releasing techniques; follow basic safety procedures in using and handling archery equipment such as bows and arrows; and develop the skills necessary to enjoy archery as a sport. Equipment is provided by the Y. Offered seasonally. For additional information and any questions, contact Ian Puebla at 203-920-1635 or by email.

Middle School Madness (Grades 5-8)

At Middle School Madness, middle schoolers get the Y all to themselves! Participants have access to the Wellness Center, Group Exercise Center, Basketball Gym, and Wagner Room. Each Middle School Night features games, special activities, and concessions. This program runs one Saturday night a month, featuring a special activity at each event. For additional information and any questions, contact Ian Puebla at 203-920-1635 or by email.

Ski and Board Club (Grades 5-8)

Offered each winter, the Ski and Board Club provides kids with the opportunity to hit the slopes weekly. All levels are welcome, including beginners!  Each Friday, participants are bused from the Y to a local mountain for an evening of winter fun. Lessons and equipment are available for a fee at the mountain. Offered during the winter session, January-March. For additional information and any questions, contact Ian Puebla at 203-920-1635 or by email.

Book and Bounce (Ages 2-3)

Book and Bounce combines the magic of storytelling with the excitement of gymnastics! Perfect for toddlers, this unique program aims to promote physical development, cognitive growth, and a love for books through fun, active learning experiences.

Creative Minds (Ages 3-5)

In “Creative Minds,” children are encouraged to express themselves through a variety of fun and engaging art projects designed to inspire imagination and creativity. Each session introduces young artists to different materials and techniques, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and collage-making. Through hands-on exploration, children will develop fine motor skills, sensory awareness, and a sense of artistic expression.

Animal Kingdom Adventure (Ages 3-5)

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! Animal Adventure allows kids to explore their wild side through educational group activities all about the Animal Kingdom. Play, learn, explore, and create fun projects while learning about some of the earth’s most magical creatures.

“Falling” for STEM (Ages 3-5)

STEM is an exciting and hands-on class where young minds dive into the world of science, technology, engineering, and math through playful exploration and discovery. Tailored for curious preschoolers, each session introduces simple yet fascinating STEM concepts through age-appropriate experiments, building activities, and problem-solving games.

Lego Legends (Ages 3-5)

A program based on the universally popular Lego building block toys. Kids will explore creative themes each week with guided builds in groups and solo builds too!

Youth @ the Y (Grades 1-4)

Elementary schoolers will be broken up into groups and led around the Y by staff to various stations where events will be run by specialist staff. Activities include use of the Forese Family Pool, Group Exercise Center, Wagner Room, Gym, Kid Zone, and a different special activity each month. Youth @ the Y runs one Saturday night each month.

New! The Dino den (Ages 3-5)

Know someone that likes learning about dinosaurs? This is the perfect program for the amateur paleontologist. Each week, participants will learn about the “Dino of the Day” with fun activities and educational videos.

Make A Mess Arts & Crafts (Ages 3-5)

Age-appropriate, carefully supervised, and messier than a mob of monkeys in an art supply store, these classes offer a structured environment for kids to get their hands dirty while making new friends and wild creations. We’ll make projects using everything from bubbles, paint, mud, shaving cream, and more.

GROWING WITH STEM (Ages 3-5)

Do you have a preschooler who is interested in clouds, or why they have a shadow? This program is for them! Growing with STEM will launch your preschooler into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) with age-appropriate activities and games.

Non-Traditional Sports Club

(Grades 1-4 & Grades 5-8)

Everybody knows the big name traditional sports, but what about the little ones? During this nine-week program, we will get the chance to explore some of the lesser-known sports, including Gaga, Nine-square Mat-ball, Dodgeball, and Ultimate Frisbee. All of these sports are a little out of the ordinary, but are easy to learn and enjoy. Come and play in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Adventure Club

(Grades 5-8)

Outdoor adventure is calling! Over the course of seven weeks, we will work together on an intense team building event, two hiking excursions, two ropes courses, and a trip to RPM Raceway! Our team-building events will take place at the beginning of the program and will be held at the Y. Our hiking trips will be to Saugatuck Falls Natural Area and Montgomery Pinetum Park, our ropes course trip will be to Boundless Adventures, and our last trip will be go karting at RPM Raceway!

Junior Lifeguarding

(Ages 11-14)

The American Red Cross has introduced a junior lifeguarding course designed to guide and prepare youth ages 11-14 for the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course. Course focuses on building a foundation of knowledge, attitude, and skills for future lifeguards. For additional information, contact

Register for Youth Recreation Programs

Contact

Preschool & School-Age Recreation Contact:

For additional information and any questions about preschool and school-age youth recreation programs, contact Mason Capozza, Assistant Director of Programs, at 203-920-1651 or by email.

Middle School Recreation Contact:

For additional information and any questions about middle school recreation programs, contact Ian Puebla, School-Age & Camp Y-Ki Director, at 203-920-1635 or by email.