For more information, please
call us at (845) 471-9622.

“Saturday Nights R LIVE was developed to open the YMCA to teens after it closes to the public on Saturdays.  The program kicked off in October of 2006 and will run through the school year.  Special Events are announced one week in advance.  The months of March and April are set aside for our own version of “March Madness” with 12 teams competing in basketball!  When there is no Special Event, the youth have access to such Y facilities as the gym, Community Room, Club Room, Pool and Rock Gym under the supervision of YMCA staff.  Start up funding for the program was obtained by Congressman Maurice Hinchey with a grant awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice programs, U.S. Department of Justice and the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

TIME:  Saturdays 7:00 – 9:30pm (runs most Saturdays, call ahead to check)

Leaders Club is the oldest program model of YMCA of the USA and is providing outstanding leadership training to youth all over the country.   The purposes of Leaders Club are:

°     To provide opportunities through which young people can develop their leadership skills

°     To help teens understand the importance of education and their role in securing the resources needed to achieve academic success

°     To provide experiential opportunities in preparation for life after high school

°     To develop a commitment to volunteerism and service

°     To continue the process of developing spirit, mind and body through activities that meet the developmental needs of teen members setting goals, developing healthy relationships and incorporating fitness into their busy lives

TIMES: 

Pawling:           Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:30pm

Poughkeepsie:  Mondays, 5:15 – 6:15pm

Wappingers:     Thursdays 2:10 – 3:30pm

REGISTRATION:  Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian

“City Club” was restarted in November of 2005 after a hiatus and an overhauling to ensure it is relevant to youth needs and interests. Within the program, the youth have the opportunity to participate in constructive use of their free time with activities such as recreational swimming;  rock climbing; basketball, kick ball and other gym sports; club room activities including ping pong, cards, table games, pool, fuse ball, box ball and more; community service; and most recently swim lessons and rowing.  City Club is funded with grants from the Office of Children & Family Services through the Dutchess County Youth Bureau, the JC Penney Afterschool Fund, Entergy and the Strong Kids Campaign.

TIME:  M- F, 3:15 – 5:15 pm 

Days/Times: Mon.-Fri. 3:15pm-5:15pm Location:  Dutchess County YMCA Program (follows the City of Poughkeepsie School Calendar) Program Activities Include: - Homework Assistance - Guest Speakers - Arts & Crafts - Cooking & Nutrition - Sports & Games - Indoor Rock Climbing - Swimming - Community Service Projects

Registration is limited.
Program is free and is being funded by the NYS Office of Children of Family Services through the Dutchess County Youth Bureau.

For more information on how to get a registration form,
call us at (845) 471-9622.

Rally

An essential component of a Leaders Club is networking and peer modeling with other YMCA Leaders Club members throughout the northeastern US.  There are four “Rallies” held each year for Leaders Club members during which older more experienced teens model the YMCA Values and Leadership to the younger ones.  The entire Rally is all under the guidance of young adults who, for the most part, have come up through the program.

TIME:  Weekends held seasonally 

REGISTRATION:  Must be a Leaders Club member

Creative Cooks Club, Pawling

Fun and friendship while planning and preparing healthy meals to enrich your life and combat obesity. Components of the program include:

• Nutritional Education:  For participants to effectively plan healthful, appealing meals as part of a balanced diet
• Culinary Skill Development:  Participants will learn quick and convenient meal preparation techniques and skills that they can transfer to their home environment
• Cross-cultural awareness:  Participants learn about menu planning in different cultures and plan meals reflective of multiple cultures

TIME:  Thursdays, 2:30-4:30pm in Pawling Middle School

REGISTRATION:  Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian

YMCA Earth Services Corp (YESC)

The DC YMCA is partnering with the Pawling Lions Club to offer this environmental program for tweens who love to explore the outdoors. This Club will find them exploring natural and not so natural environments around Pawling and developing environmental projects to address relevant issues.

With advance registration, the Pawling School District will bus Middle Schoolers to the program.

TIME:  Tuesdays 2:30-4:30pm, at the Lion’s Club Building in Murrow Park 

REGISTRATION: Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian

Youth & Government Club

To guide teen’s in exploring the function and use of democracy, a Youth & Government Club has been established for teens in grades 9 - 12.  This YMCA of the USA program fosters the development of value-based leadership skills in youth through experiential learning activities with the ultimate purpose of nurturing an enthusiastic understanding of the American democratic system.  The programs motto is “democracy must be learned by each generation”. 

TIME:  Thursdays, 5:00-6:00pm, Pawling

REGISTRATION: Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian