West Side YMCA451

The West Side YMCA is the largest of the 19 branches in Greater New York, and has extensive facilities, including two pools, a basketball/volleyball gym, a boxing/martial arts gym and other facilities for adults. This branch offers wonderful writing programs for kids and teens, in addition to the usual classes and programs.

The West Side Y is also home to the Marjorie S Deane Little Theater, which often hosts family productions.

Family Swim: The pool is open weekends during specified swim hours. The schedule changes monthly, so call or consult the Y's small pool schedule.

Day Care: Tender Care child care, for children six months to five years, opened in 1986 and provides flexible child care for working parents. It's open every day from 8am-6pm. Children are divided into three age groups to better meet their developmental needs. Scholarships are available. Call 212.875.4117 for details.

Nursery School: West Side operates a Co-op nursery school in which the classrooms and curriculum emphasize hands-on, open-ended play. Parents volunteer in the classroom.

Classes for kids include swimming, martial arts (Kokushiryu Jujitsu and Seido Karate), basketball, gymnastics, ceramics, drama, musical theater, drawing/painting/sculpture, writing and Mommy and Me-type infant/toddler programs.

Afterschool programs, for kids ages four to 12 years old, offer a range of activities, including sports and games, indoor and outdoor play, reading, listening to music, homework help and arts & crafts. For an additional fee, kids can take YMCA programs including swimming, dance, karate, and gymnastics. If you register your child for classes, a Y staff member will escort your child to and from class.

Kids attending PS 87, PS 199, Ethical Culture, and The Music of America School can be picked up after school and escorted to the Y by a staff member.

The Y offers great Teen Programs and clubs including Urban Adventures, which gives kids ages 13 to 14 the chance to explore New York while spending five days at the Y; Poetry Slam teaching teens to express themselves through writing and performance; and the Saturday Night Teen Center.

If weeklong school vacations are looming, consider The West Side Y's Vacation Camp. Programs include swimming, classroom activities, and field trips. Registration takes place two weeks prior to camp start dates.

The Y also offers a variety of very popular summer camp programs.

Kinder Camp introduces children ages three and a half through five and a half to the summer camp experience. Campers swim three times a week and enjoy storytelling, music, sports, games, and a weekly field trip. Staff/camper ratio is 1:6; the program is based in the Y's preschool classrooms, which are air-conditioned and equipped with age-appropriate materials, running water, and cubbies. The camp day runs from 9am-3pm, with extended hours available from 8am-9am and 3pm-6pm.

Pool parties run for two hours and include a certified lifeguard; a maximum of 30 guests may be invited. Call for prices and details: 212.875.4195.

Roof Top Parties can be scheduled for kids ages five and up (Non-members $500; Family Membershop $300; Youth Membership or Adult Membership $350). Kids can party on the rooftop playground and romp around one of the best views in town. Prices are based on 20 participants on the playground, and accompanying parents or guardians count towards total participants. Party givers are responsible for all decorations, paper goods, and beverages; the Roof Top Playground can be decorated by the partiers and food or cake may be brought in. The YMCA is unable to provide refrigeration. For more information and availability, please call the Early Childhood Department at 212.875.4117.

Various West Side Y membership packages are availble. Children's membership costs $100/year for kids under 12 and $200/year for kids 14-17. There's also a $125 initiation fee for first time members. Call 212.875.4101 for more information.