Darien Youth Commission Youth Commission News There are no items to display at this time Archives Darien Youth Commission Mission Statement Youth Commission Members 2018-19

 2018 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.

SPECIAL FAMILY, YOUTH & COMMUNITY EVENTS

21st ANNUAL HALLOWEEN WINDOW PAINTING CONTEST -- 2018 Halloween Window Painting Contest was held on Saturday, October 20. 30 teams of middle and high school aged students painted merchant windows throughout the town.  Winners are: 21st HALLOWEEN WINDOW PAINTING CONTEST WINNERS

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.   This event typically takes place late November/early December and is a terrific opportunity for the community to support the needs of locals right here in Darien. COMMUNITY ARTS FESTIVAL:  A DAY TO CREATE  --   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.   2019 ARTS FESTIVAL IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019 DARIEN DASH -- COMMUNITY-WIDE SCAVENGER HUNT!   HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR TOWN?!?   Apparently, the following team knows it best as the were this year's winning team:  JIM O'BRIEN, KIERA O'BRIEN, WHITNEY SCALLON, SOPHIA CONDON & LINDSEY TURNER!  2nd place was The Barkley Family; 3rd place was The Hyatt Family! 2019 DARIEN DASH SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2019   TILLEY POND MODEL BOAT REGATTA -- 2018 REGATTA WAS SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018  Beautiful skies and lovely winds prevailed for this much anticipated family event -- a favorite for folks ALL ages!  Thanks to our participants (The Depot, "Georgie the Clown," Uncle's Deli, The Darien Sail & Power Squadron & acoustic performer Kat Bauman) and sponsors (the Kiwanis Club of Darien & the Darien Parks & Recreation Department) for their support and involvement.  Special caps off to Judges Millie Micelli, and Barbara & Marc Thorne!  Over 100 vessels unfurled their sails for this super fun activity.  2019 TILLEY POND MODEL BOAT REGATTA IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MAY 4 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. (There is a per person/vehicle cost per concert , payable at the beach entrance...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). ALWAYS free admission ANNUAL FAMILY DAY DINNER @ THE DARIEN YMCA  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. Modeled after CASA's Family Day, this is a great opportunity for families to engage with one another in conversation, fun and relaxation.  Close to 50 families participated in this year's festivities which included dinner, arts & crafts, gym games, swimming and more and took place on Friday, September 21, 2018.

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.)

SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS-- 2018 CLOSED; 2019 PROGRAM INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY, 2019

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.   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.

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  THE YOUTH COMMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR OPPORTUNITIES IN MID-FEBRUARY, 2019. COUNSELOR IN TRAINING (CIT) THE YOUTH COMMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELOR IN TRAINING (CIT) OPPORTUNITIES IN LATE MARCH, 2019.