|
Youth and Recreational Services
Youth & Recreational Services
Kenneth J. Kopacz
Executive Director
Alexander Community Center
275 Alexander Avenue | Cheektowaga, NY 14211-2742
Phone: (716) 897-7207 | Fax: (716) 897-7211
Summer Brochure available mid-May;
Registration to begin June 7th
LINKS TO:
Recreation Center Arena: (716) 897-7218
(ice rink/soccer)
Dartwood Community Center: (716) 656-2289
Adapted Recreation Office: (716) 897-7205
Maryvale Center: (716) 631-0925
Softball Office: (716) 656-2294
Join our planning team
The Cheektowaga Youth Board
an advisory board for the
Youth and Recreation Division has a few vacancies. Appointments are for a 3 year period. Meetings are once per month*
For more info
. call Jill Gorman, Cheektowaga Youth & Recreation Services,897-7207, ext. 19.
*with a few exceptions
About Youth & Rec. As the department of town government responsible for recreation and youth services, we are community-driven and dedicated to creating, developing & providing quality programs, services and opportunties in which all people can participate and enjoy--thus enhancing the quality of life in Cheektowaga. We recognize the importance of responding to the changing needs of our community and pledge to evaluate and adapt our services to satisfy people of all ages and abilities. We offer individuals the opportunity for personal growth in the areas of education, health, athletics, the arts and social developement. In addition, we provide referrals to those with needs beyond our resouces.
Adult Programs
include arts & crafts, scrapbooking crop, adult/child craft programs. Active living / healthy lifestyles includes aerobics & pilates, guided nature walks, adult 4 on 4 basketball league, fitness programs and indoor volleyball. See our fall brochure for complete details on these and other adult programs.
ADAPTED RECREATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Individuals with physical, mental, emotional and learning disabilities need to take part in recreational programs that will teach them skills, provide socialization and let them have fun. Sometimes, an extra effort must be made to accommodate special needs and Cheektowaga Youth & Recreational Services has stepped forward to provide that little extra. A virtually year-round calendar of activities is available through these programs.
ADAPTED RECREATION PROGRAM
The component parts of this program includes swimming, Friday Night Community Activities, Saturday Mini-Camp, Bowling, and Basketball. Utilizing town, school and community facilities this program provides opportunities for individuals to improve motor control, boost self-esteem and increase social skills.
SPECIAL OLYMPIC TRAINING
The thrill of competition, winning medals or ribbons or just trying to, are the joys of Special Olympics. Cheektowaga Youth & Recreational Services provides training which allows Special Olympians to compete in swimming, basketball, track and field, bowling and softball. The athletes train throughout the year for the Western Region and New York State games.
CAMP CRABAPPLE AND CAMP JI-IK-DO-WAH-GAH
Children with the various disabilities mentioned above like to go to summer day camp, too. These two camps provide that opportunity and depending on the nature of the child's disability and level of supervision needed, the appropriate placement is made. Extended days are available for working parents.
SUMMER DAY CAMPS
For the general population youth. July-August day camp, extended hours available. Two camps, Town Park area and Dartwood neighborhood.
Crabapple Run
check back for more information and registration form.
Family Activitites
include family food & fun night, chili cook-off, a cookie bake off and famliy swim. See our fall brochure for more details.
Children (7-15): $5.00
Adults
(16-59):
$7.00
Seniors
(60 + older): FREE
TWO forms of I.D. ARE REQUIRED
One must be a photo I.D.: valid driver's license or valid non-driver's I.D.
The additional form of ID must contain your name and address such as a current utility bill or current bank statement.
For a child, a parent must present both the child's report card or school ID and birth certificate containing the parent's names.
Cards are valid for 2 years. An expired resident discount card cannot be used as current proof of residency.
CARDS ISSUED AT THE CHEEKTOWAGA RECREATION CENTER
(Also known as ICE RINK & is located across from the TOWN PARK POOL)
ALEXANDER
COMMUNITY CENTER
275 Alexander Ave.
Monday - Friday 9:30AM - 4:30PM
For more information call 897-7207
Pool Information
(seasonal)
Pre-School Programs
include pre-k 2007-8, wee three twice the fun, tea time for two's & tiny tumblers. Please see fall brochure for age requirements and other stipulations.
Open ice time for people of all ages. All you need is your Town of Cheektowaga Resident Discount Card and the appropriate fee. Non-resident/guests must be accompanied by a resident with a valid Resident Discount Card. Children under the age 7 must have a parent of guardian present on or off the ice, while participating in a public skate session. Helmets and protective clothes are recommended.
Start date: Friday October 12, 2007.
End date: April 2008.
Days and times, Fridays, 2-3pm and 7-8:50pm, Saturdays, 7-8:50pm, Sundays, 2:45-4:35pm. No public skate-November 11 or Friday November 23.
Location is the Recreation Center Arena in Cheektowaga Town Park.
Ages:open to all.
Fee: general admission- $4.
Admission with Resident Discount Card: adult (16-59) $3, children (4-15) $2, seniors (60+) $2, toddlers free.
Resident public skating passes, 10 skating passes for the price of 8, youth-$16, adult- $24.
Resident skate rental passes, 10 rentals for the price of 8, $16.
Skate sharpening, $5 per pair.
Figure skates or new skate sharpening $7 per pair (figure skates only done on Fridays).
Skate rental: $2 per pair (opens 1/2 hr prior to start of public skate).
COUNSELING
Sometimes youth and families need assistance in coping with various stressors society can present. The Department of Youth & Recreational Services contracts with two highly respected agencies for provision of counseling services, Children and Family Services and Catholic Charities.
SCHOOL INTERVENTION SERVICE
Individual and family counseling for at-risk youth, identified primarily by school personnel through early intervention, is provided under contract by Catholic Charities of Buffalo.
FIRST OFFENDER AND TROUBLED YOUTH COUNSELING PROGRAM
Individual and family counseling for youth who have come in contact with the juvenile or criminal justice system is provided under contract by Child and Family Services.
BE-A-FRIEND BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER PROGRAM
With over thirty years of service to the youth of Western New York, this program has become an important resource for Youth & Recreation Services and the school and agency personnel who have been able to make referrals. Group and one-on-one mentoring relationships are provided.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
The overwhelming majority of the youth residing in the Town of Cheektowaga come from two-parent families, with both parents in the labor force. Research studies and anecdotal information indicate that the unsupervised hours between the end of the school day and the arrival home of one of the parents, after work, are some of the most crucial minutes in a developing adolescent's day. The summer months, spring/winter breaks and holidays provide an even larger problem for working parents... CY&RS has tried to remedy this through through development of School Recess Programs.
Cheektowaga Youth & Recreational Services, in collaboration with some of our town school districts, has taken steps to address the need for safe supervised after-school programs:
MARYVALE MIDDLE AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITY CENTER
The "M.A.C." plays host to an average of 25 Maryvale Middle School students each day during the school year. Students can play Pool, Ping-Pong, Fooseball, Video Games, watch Television or participate in a specially planned activity. The center is also open Thursday and Friday evenings from 5-9 during the school year.
SCHOOL RECESS PROGRAMS
Outside of time spent with family, school is the most significant part of a child's life each year. During those days and weeks when school is out of session, CY&RS can play a vital role. Programs during these periods can serve as an alternative for parents who must work. The Recess Programs provide structured, supervised opportunities for kids to have fun while learning, exploring, making things, getting exercise, etc.
Cheektowaga Youth & Recreational Services provides school recess programs during these school breaks:
Winter Break, Presidents Day Break, Spring Recess and Summer Vacation.
Special Events
(click here) no postings
Summer Programs have ended for the 2007 season. Check back in the spring of 2008 for more information.
YOUTH ENGAGED IN SERVICE (YES) PROGRAM
Young people, ages 12 through 18, have the opportunity to volunteer in a wide range of community service projects through the YES program. They also assist with the planning and evaluation of activities through involvement on the YES Advisory Board. Training workshops and social events are integral parts of the YES Program, too.
COMMUNITY SERVICE RESTITUTION PROGRAM
This component of the YES Program enhanced through a Learn and Serve America grant allows juveniles and young adults to perform community service as restitution for misdeeds. The tone of the program is not punitive but, rather, seeks to encourage new interests by allowing the offender some say in the selection of services to be performed. Referrals are made by the Town and Village justice courts, Erie County Family Court and Probation Department and the Cheektowaga Police Juvenile Division. Occasionally, community service restitution may be ordered in conjunction with referral to the First Offender and Troubled Youth Counseling Program. Sometimes, young people can learn from the mistakes they have made and, perhaps, find new interests which can help them from repeating their mistakes
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Learning is not something that can only happen in a classroom. Many Cheektowaga Youth and Recreational Services programs have built-in educational components, while also having another agenda, such as having fun... or performing tasks related to employment. Our Pre-K Program, YES Program and Cheektowaga Conservation Corps (CCC), are good examples of this. The five miles of trails developed by the CCC over the past 15 years is a perfect outdoor classroom for those interested in nature. Learning is not just about math or English. It's social skills...and gamesmanship...and recreational programs. These programs arestaffed by well-trained recreational workers which can provide many opportunities to refine these skills.
LIBRARY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Cheektowaga is fortunate to have two branch libraries located in town. Cheektowaga Youth & Recreational Services has entered into an agreement with the Cheektowaga Library System to provide funding for programs for children which will encourage reading and utilization of the public library. The focus of the effort is the summer months, however, special youth programs are scheduled throughout the year.
GUIDED NATURE TOURS
Guided tours of the Losson Nature Trails, located in John C. Stiglmeier Park, provides families with an opportunity to become acquainted with this unique environmental resource located in Cheektowaga.
WEEKEND PROGRAMS
Our weekend programs offer a variety of reasonably priced activities for children age 5 and up. Operating during the school year, these programs combine arts & crafts, games, open recreation and other special events. The weekend schedule includes:
T.G.I.F. Friday night; 6:30 8:30 PM Mother of Divine Grace Church gym, 120 Old Maryvale Dr. Children age 8-13; crafts, games, open rec; cost - $2, $1 with resident discount card.
Kids Club I Friday nights; 6:30 8:30 PM; Theodore Roosevelt School, 2495 William Sreet. Students in grades 2-3; crafts, games, open rec; cost $2, $1
with resident discount card.
Kids Club II Friday nights; 6:30 8:30 PM; Woodrow Wilson School, 166 Halstead Ave. Students in grades 4-5; crafts, games, open rec; cost $2, $1
with resident discount card.
Rec Club Saturdays; 2:00 4:00 PM, Alexander Community Center, 275 Alexander Ave. Children age 5-10; crafts, games, snacks, special events; cost $2.75 per week, $2.25 with resident discount car (reduced rates for full session registration).
**Call 897-7207 for program dates.
VOLUNTEERISM
Volunteer opportunities are available for adults to complement the existing staff presenting programs, especially in youth athletics.
An award-winning youth volunteer program is provided under contract with the office of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, N.Y.
ADULT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers have become valuable teammates in the presentation of many Cheektowaga Youth and Recreational Services programs, including hockey, soccer, seasonal events, Cheektowaga Youth Board, to name a few. Talented individuals with time to share their skills are welcome.
Youth Sports
include start smart & youth basketball, beginner, intro & advanced gymnastics, infant,beginner & youth swim lessons, learn to skate for toddlers & youth, figure skating school, hockey both house and travel programs. For more infromation check out our fall brochure link.
Winter Programs, (seasonal) Check back in the fall for more infromation |
