AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT

2024-25 Spotswood Registration

Email psrivastava@raritanvalleyymca.org your completed forms!

2024-25 After School Drop off Program at the Raritan Valley YMCA

2024-25 Drop Off Registration Form

PARENT HANDBOOK (READ FOR FURTHER DETAILS)

Email psrivastava@raritanvalleyymca.org your completed forms!

The YMCA is more than just a child care center. When you join the YMCA, you are part of a community that provides positive experiences for a lifetime. The Y’s Afterschool Care Program is for students in Pre-K thru 8th Grade. We strive to provide the best experience and make the greatest impact with quality programming. You may be able to request transportation from your child’s school district to the Y to participate in our program.

NOW SERVING :

1. Before and After Care at Spotswood Elementary School.

Schoenly School
Appleby School

2. After School Drop off at the Raritan Valley YMCA

PROGRAM FEATURES:

Homework assistance
Healthy snacks provided
C.A.T.C.H. nutrition and physical education
Enrichment activities
Science fair
Art and literature expos
Special events and holiday celebrations
Family events
Vacation camp during school closures
Literacy program

YMCA Facility Features

Enrichment Program Space
Gymnasium
Environmental Nature Center
Aerobics studio
Outdoor playground
Seasonal Aquatics Facility
Tennis court
Basketball court
Outdoor Camp Grounds
Arts and Cooking Room
Gaga Court
Archery (10 years & Up)
Table Tennis
Birthday Party Room
Outdoor Wellness Stations

The YMCA's After School program provides children with a safe and fun environment full of new experiences and activities to keep everyone engaged, enriched, and inspired to try new things. Serving multiple communities, the Y’s program design provides children with opportunities to build self-esteem, learn life skills, receive homework assistance and gives children the chance to play both in structured activities and in supervised free play. Due to data-driven curriculum design, they will also increase physical activity, improve nutrition knowledge, reduce screen time, and build positive character values.

School age kids in the Raritan Valley Y childcare program will also benefit from the advantages of being at a YMCA facility dedicated to an active lifestyle. Our facility features provide opportunities for children to experience educational, physical, spiritual, and emotional growth to help them achieve their goals and dreams.

HOURS, INCLUDING EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS

After School care runs from school dismissal until 6:00pm.

WHAT WILL MY CHILD DO IN THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM?

Children in the YMCA program participate in sports, fitness, games, cooking, dance, crafts, nature, science, reading and many more great age appropriate activities. Weekly activities are designed around each month's theme.

OTHER AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

Organized a Health Fair
Displayed their work in an Art Show
Raised Funds in a Student Run Pretzel Sale
Volunteered their time to help others in need
Made discoveries at their own Science Fair
Participated in Healthy U/CATCH program
Contributed to the YMCA's Diversity Dinner
Learned about themselves and others around them
Discovered their interests and dreams
and much, much more...

VACATION CAMP

When school’s out we’ve got your back!

The YMCA offers Vacation Camp during the times when school is out. YMCA Members can pre-register for this program at least two business days prior to each specific program date for $75 per day rate. Spaces are limited, so please register early.

The program runs from 7am-6pm at :

Raritan Valley YMCA, 144 Tices Lane,

East Brunswick, NJ-08816

DATES AND THEMES

OCTOBER 2024

Thursday October 3^rd- World Poetry Day- What is poetry and how can you write it? Learning about different types of poetry and different poets. As well as reading and writing our own poetry.
Friday October 4^th- World Smile Day- Spreading happiness and encouraging kindness to all our friends. What does it mean to be a bucket filler and how can we be kind?

NOVEMBER 2024

Tuesday November 5^th- Election Day- What is election day? Campers will learn about how the election works and participate in our own voting activity.
Thursday November 7^th- Healthy Eating Day- Learning about healthy foods and why it’s important to eat a balanced diet. What does a balanced diet look like?
Friday November 8^th- Recycling Day- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! Learning about the importance of recycling and how to help keep the earth clean.
Monday November 11^th- Veteran’s Day- Campers will discuss what veterans’ day is as well as make cards to send to veterans.

DECEMBER 2024

Monday December 23^rd- Holidays around the World- What holidays do you celebrate? Learning about different holidays that are celebrated around the world.
Thursday December 26^th- Winter Wonderland- It’s a winter wonderland! Celebrating the winter season by while learning about the weather and why it snows and making craft snowmen.
Friday December 27^th- Build Something Day- What is STEM and how do we use it in our everyday life? (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Campers will participate in a STEM based building activity.
Monday December 30^th- New Years- Happy New Year! Celebrating New Years with a count down and creating our own resolutions for the new year.

JANUARY 2025

Monday January 20^th- Martin Luther King Day- Who was Martin Luther King Jr. and why is he important? Writing down our own dreams and sharing our hopes for the future with our friends.

FEBRUARY 2025

Monday February 17^th- Healthy Heart Day and CATCH Day- Wear Red to celebrate Healthy Heart month. Campers will learn about keeping their hearts healthy by eating and exercising.

APRIL 2025

Monday April 14^th- Look up at the Sky Day- Let’s learn about the sky, space and planets! Learning about the clouds and seeing what shapes we can find. Learning about the solar system and making our own model solar system.
Tuesday April 15^th- National Pet Day- Celebrating our pet friends! Do you have any pets? Learning about different animals and how to take care of a pet. Plus, a visit from a ferret!
Wednesday April 16^th- PJ Day/ Cozy Reading Day- Wear your PJs and read a good book! Campers can wear their PJs and bring a favorite stuffed animal to share during show and tell. They’ll get to read independently, listen to a read aloud from a librarian and draw their favorite story.
Thursday April 17^th- Spring Celebration- Spring has sprung and it’s time to celebrate! Campers will decorate their own eggs, participate in an egg hunt and more to celebrate the season.
Monday April 21^st- Earth Day/Gardening Day- How do we take care of the earth? Making planters out of recycled materials, planting flowers and vegetables, and making sure to pick up their trash are a just few examples of things our campers can do.