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Darien Youth Commission

Youth Commission News
9/15/2017 - FAMILY DAY DINNER @ THE DARIEN YMCA -- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 6:00 - 7:30 P.M.
9/15/2017 - 8TH GRADE TOPS BEACH PARTY -- NEW DATE...FRIDAY, 9/22
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Darien Youth Commission Mission Statement

Youth Commission Members 2017-18 (8-15-17)

2017 Meeting Schedule

Agendas & Minutes

 

TOPS The Teen Options Program (TOPS) is sponsored by the Darien Youth Commission. It is endorsed by MMS and made possible through the generous involvement of the TOPS Board and many other volunteers. TOPS is committed to offer affordable, safe, fun, drug and alcohol-free activities for Darien students in 6th, 7th or 8th Grades (both public and private school students). There is a charge for each TOPS event. Participants must be registered and can either pay at each event, or for your convenience, a pre-paid discounted option is available covering entrance to all TOPS events. Events are grade-level specific with the exception of four events together which are for both 7th & 8th Grade TOPS members.  

 

2017-18 TOPS REGISTRATION INFORMATION (registration begins 8/21/17)

 

 

Darien's Thriving Youth Task Force -- Involving all sectors of the community, Thriving Youth is Darien’s coalition of concerned youth, community and civic organizations, businesses and individuals working together to provide meaningful relationships, experiences, skills and opportunities to benefit all our children. (For additional information, visit the Community Fund of Darien's Thriving Youth Task Force website.)

FATHERS' FORUM -- The Fathers' Forum Mission is:  Build community connections by offering guidance and resources for fathers of children of all ages through monthly presentations from topical experts and group discussions.  For complete information (including history, program schedule, speaker bios and more), please visit the Fathers' Forum website. Stay tuned for 2017/18 schedule of programs.  

 

 

SPECIAL FAMILY, YOUTH & COMMUNITY EVENTS

  • ANNUAL FAMILY DAY DINNER @ THE DARIEN YMCA -- FRIDAY, 9/22/17 -- Sponsored by the Darien YMCA, the TYTF, the Community Fund of Darien & the Darien Youth Commission, this free, fun-filled family event promotes the concept that families who regularly dine together minimize future risk factors. The evening includes dinner, arts & crafts, gym games, swimming and more! Advanced registration required by emailing youthcommission@darienct.gov. (In email, be sure to include FAMILY DAY DINNER in subject line and include # and names of those attending in text so we can provide name tags for all.)  Click here for FAMILY DAY DINNER flyer with all details.
  • 20TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN WINDOW PAINTING CONTEST -- 2017 Halloween Window Painting Contest will be held on Saturday, October 21. Open to middle and high school aged teens.  Registration info will be available mid-September.
  • COMMUNITY-WIDE MOVIE TO BENEFIT DARIEN HUMAN SERVICES HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE Annual event benefiting the Human Services Holiday Gift program. Free tickets to feature movie @ the Darien Playhouse. In lieu of payments, movie-goers are asked to bring new, unwrapped gift, toy or gift card. Typically takes place late November/early December.
  • COMMUNITY ARTS FESTIVAL:  A DAY TO CREATE  -- 2018 ARTS FESTIVAL -- SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018  An afternoon of hands-on arts for the kids made possible by the generosity of local not-for-profit agencies. Afternoon includes dance, crafts, clown, face-painting, entertainment and more.   
  • DARIEN DASH -- COMMUNITY-WIDE SCAVENGER HUNT!  2018 DASH SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 10, 2018  HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR TOWN?!? This debut family/community event premiered on Saturday, March 11. Over 50 folks registered 13 vehicles, teaming up to solve riddles which led them to 20 various destinations throughout town. The Roche Family (Miranda, Natalie, Katherine & Philip) were ultimately crowned the Dynamic Dashers as the winning 2017 team.  
  • TILLEY POND MODEL BOAT REGATTA -- 2018 REGATTA SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018  The 2017 Regatta was a wonderful day with two racing heats (homemade vessels and sharpie boat kit entries).  115 boats were entered as close to 300 people enjoyed all aspects of this fun, community event. Event includes food truck, entertainment, clown, face painting and fun for all ages.  
  • ANNUAL FAMILY CONCERT SERIES Every Wednesday in June @ 6:30 p.m. @ Weed Beach, this is a terrific way to enjoy family-friendly entertainment at one of Darien's greatest resources. (The cost per concert is $4 per person or $10 per car...beach stickers are not required to attend these events.)
  •  COMMUNITY MOVIE @ WEED BEACH-- JUNE & SEPTEMBER  June & September screenings. Co-sponsored by the Darien Parks & Recreation and the Darien Youth Commission. Start-time at dusk (varies according to sunset times/time of year). Free admission.



SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS

  • TRADITIONAL DAY-CAMP PROGRAM:  The DYC sponsors the Town Camp program, offering two, three-week day camps servicing children who have completed grades K-5. Three sites based on grade level: kids who have successfully completed kindergarten (entering grade 1); kids who have successfully completed grades 1 & 2 (entering grades 2 & 3); kids who have successfully completed grades 3, 4 & 5 (entering grades 4, 5 & 6). Camps run daily from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (with an Early Drop-Off option from 8:00 a.m.). Program includes a variety of sports, arts & crafts, field trips and entertainers. Please note, children must be appropriate grade in our system to register online. Resident registration begins early February; non-resident registration begins early May.
  • MSSAP (Middle School Summer Activity Program-- Camp Menace): For students entering grades 7, 8 & 9, this program runs Monday's through Thursday's weekly.  Students may sign up weekly or for all 6 weeks at an adjusted fee.  There is a fee for some field trips which must be paid on the day of the trip.  (Click here to view the 2017 MSSAP calendar to better understand the program activities.)  Resident registration begins early March; non-resident registration begins early May.