Baby Buggy delivers essential items for infants and young children to thousands of families in need throughout New York City. The organization's mission is twofold: to deliver critical resources to New York City's most vulnerable children and to provide an efficient method for the recycling of valuable goods.

Founded in 2001 by Jessica Seinfeld, Baby Buggy works with more than 60 social service agencies to distribute a wide range of new and gently used essentials, from cribs and strollers to clothing and diapers. Since its inception, Baby Buggy has donated over two million items, all of which are vetted for safety and utility. Demand for the organization's services continues to rise, with monthly donations now totaling over 50,000 items

Volunteer opportunities are available through a variety of tasks and activities, such as bundling and prepping donations and sorting and mending children's clothing.

Time can be scheduled through www.nycares.org.

Visit the website for information on how to donate gently used equipment and clothing.

The Boy Scouts is an institution that has honed to the same mission for decades: To promote physical fitness, citizenship, and good old-fashioned character building.

Boys in first through fifth grade are eligible for Cub Scouts. From sixth through twelfth grade your son can become a Boy Scout. Many boys join a troop through either their school or church. But you can also call the New York Council to find out where there's a unit closest to you. You'll be given the name and number of the unit leader and can call to make arrangements for meeting.

Each unit meets as often as the parents want them to and frequency can range from one to four times a month.

In service to the community for 112 years, and occupying a beautiful six-acre waterfront site, the Bronx YMCA offers a number of helpful and fun programs for kids.

Afterschool programming is available at PS 96, PS 71, PS 97, PS 105, PS 106 and PS 108 and kids are happily occupied until 6pm. Afterschool is also offered on half days.

Swim lessons begin at 18 months and continue through adulthood. Lessons are paid for eight classes at a time, with each class running about 50 minutes.

Junior Knicks Basketball is designed for kids ages six-18, divided into age-appropriate groups.

Teen Lite Nights give teens a safe environment wherein they can hang out and participate in board games, ping pong, card games and basketball on Fridays between 5pm and 9:45pm.

Leaders Club allows kids 12-18 to participate in community activist work, where they'll learn to set and achieve personal goals, learn life skills and feel good about volunteering.

Youth and Government in a national YMCA teen (13-18) program which involves thousands of kids each year in state-organized model government programs.

Holiday Camp is offered during public school breaks (February and April). Registration begins January 2.

The outdoor pools and picnic area are open to members between Memorial Day and Labor Day on the weekends and weeknights during July and August.

Children for Children is a non-profit program that promotes hands-on youth volunteering and giving.

Youth service and philanthropy programs include the Celebrations and Do Your Own Thing programs, book programs, special events, and other projects. CFC's Kids for Community database of NYC youth volunteer opportunities opens up even more ways to "Grow Involved!"

Children's PressLine is a media organization for kids ages ten to 18 that offers young people amazing insight into the world of journalism. Kids help run the bureau - setting up stories, researching, suggesting story ideas - and may work on ancillary projects that include online, radio, TV, and books.

Kids can join by attending one of the quarterly New Members Training sessions, which are led by senior teen editors. Interested individuals should email cpl@cplmedia.org with name, age, address, and phone number to find out when the next training will be held.

The Chinatown YMCA offers great programs for kids of all ages and adults.

A wide variety of classes are offered including dance, cooking, martial arts, gymnastics, arts and crafts - even ping pong!

Aquatics programs take place in a six-lane, 25-yard swimming pool, maintained at a temperature of approximately 82 degrees.

Volleyball, basketball, and soccer are offered in the 6,400 sq ft gymnasium.

Gym, Swim, or Puppet birthday parties are available at this branch.

Founded in 1972, Citizens Advice Bureau, the largest settlement house in the Bronx, with 467 staff members and 30 volunteers, has a mission to improve the economic and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities who are most in need.

The diverse spectrum of services offered address the needs of all age groups, ranging from infants to senior citizens, as well as selected special needs populations including immigrants - English as a Second Language (ESL) and citizenship services are available - homeless individuals and families, those impacted by HIV/AIDS, and adults making a the transition from welfare to work.

Key services include Early Childhood education & family childcare services; recreational and academic afterschool, summer camp, and holiday camp programs for school-age children; development programs, GED and job training for teens; aquatics for children, teens, and adults; lifeguard training, CPR and first aid training.

Youth programs include: Swimming, Gymnastics, Gym/Swim, Tiny Tot, Martial Arts, Youth & Government, Cultural Programs, Nursery School, Team Sports, Tennis, Flag Football, Soccer, Racquetball, Basketball, Street Hockey, After-School Child Care, Aerobics, Teen Center, YMCA/Girls, Inc. Programs and Youth Skills Computer Classes.

Call Y for details and registration.

The 204-seat Dicapo Opera Theatre presents a full season productions which run the gamut from crowd-pleasing traditional repertoire to rarely performed operas, family productions, and at least one contemporary work each season.

The Dicapo Children's Chorus offers children who love to sing the opportunity to perform a concert and a fully staged music revue each season. Under the supervision of Director Diane Martindale, the children, who come from public and private schools in the greater New York area, are exposed to a rich and varied musical curriculum as well as an authentic theatre environment.

In addition to the concerts and musical revue, Dicapo children often take part in mainstage productions, where they work with professional directors, singers, actors, and musicians.

Auditions for the Dicapo Children's Chorus take place in September and January. Applicants should be between the ages of eight and seventeen. While no previous formal training is required, children should have a desire to sing, the ability to stay on pitch, and a willingness to be part of a cooperative effort.

Registration fees are modest and are used to cover the supplies and production costs for the concerts and musical productions. In addition to the registration fee, parents are asked to purchase two tickets to each performance in which their children participate. Weekly rehearsals are held in the Francesca Room of the Dicapo Opera Theatre on Friday evenings from 6pm to 7pm, with additional rehearsals scheduled as the date of a performance nears.

Call Diane Martindale at the number above for further information.

Facilities at the East 54th Recreation Center include a gym, an indoor pool, an indoor track, dance, fitness, and computer resource rooms. Programs offered include free swimming lessons for kids, table tennis, open basketball, adult/teen volleyball, martial arts yoga, ballet, and guitar classes, by appointment. For information about the Afterschool program, call 212.360.3300

Pool Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-9:30pm; Sat 9am-4pm. Call for updated pool schedule.

A little league based out of the Lower East Side in Manhattan.

The season is from May to August, and this league also has a winter program out of the Eastside High School on East 12 Street (Avenue A & First Avenue)

Within walking distance of Shea Stadium, the Queens Botanical Gardens and convenient to the airports, subway and railroad, the Flushing Y is a great community center.

Programs/classes for kids and teens include: swimming, basketball, karate, tennis, gymnastics, dance and racquetball; vacation camps for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade; summer camps; an extended day program; and early childcare/preschool for kids 2.9 years to 6 from Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Extended hours are available as well.

Babysitting is available for adult members using the facilities Mon-Thu 9am-11am and 6pm-9pm; and Sat 9am-1pm.

FHCH was founded in 1974 to assist, strengthen, and help improve the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities. Its 15 sites serve as centers for community gathering, organizing, and social service activity.

Youth programs include afterschool programs, a summer day camp, an evening Teen Center, teen counseling services/ peer counseling, and youth leadership programs.

The Girl Scouts' credo is "Where girls grow strong," and selling Girl Scout cookies is only a small part of building girl power. On field trips and through mentorships with local employers, the girls learn about science, business, arts, and themselves. The organization also hosts spring and summer camps.

Some schools have troops already in formation, so you might check there first before calling the council. If all else fails, consider starting your own troop - the council will set you on your way with training courses. Each troop meets as often as the parents want them to and frequency can range from one to four times a month. Daisy Girl Scouts are Kindergarteners and first graders; Brownies span from grades one to three; Junior Girl Scouts are fourth and fifth graders; Cadettes are seventh and eighth graders; Senior Girl Scouts are ninth and 10th graders; and Ambassadors are in 11th and 12th grade.

Founded in 1998 by a group of women at Columbia University and Barnard College, Girls Write Now is a creative writing and mentoring organization for high school girls.

The program matches bright, driven high school girls who have a strong desire to write with professional women writers currently working in journalism, publishing, education, theater, advertising, public relations, and more. Once paired, mentor and mentee work together one-on-one for one to four academic years.

Monthly workshops are held on Saturdays from 11:15 am to 4:15pm at Teachers & Writers Collaborative - the home of the oldest writers-in-the-schools program in the country. Each year also includes three public readings, college and career prep seminars, a social action series, field trips to cultural events, and opportunities for scholarships and publication.

Prospective mentors and mentees undergo a rigorous screening process to ascertain their commitment and suitability for the program, including an interview, background check, and a writing sample.

Visit the website, phone, or email for further information.

The Greenpoint YMCA offers a full menu of family programs.

The Early Childhood Center is designed for children ages two to five.

Summer camp, holiday camp, and afterschool programs are open to children ages five to 12.

Classes include swimming, karate, ballet, FitKids, yoga, computer, and more.

Teens can join the Leaders Club, Youth and Government,
and Teens Take the City programs, and enjoy teen events which are scheduled throughout the year.

The Harlem YMCA offers terrific family programs, and a facility that includes a pool, a basketball/volleyball gym, and other facilities for adults.

Family Swim: The pool is open for free swim on Saturdays from 11am-11:45am (adults with children ages six months to four years), and 2pm-5pm (families with older children). Non-members are invited to swim for a fee of $5 per adult and $3 per child.

On the last Friday of each month, from 6pm-9pm, the Y hosts a special Family Night, which includes a potluck dinner, computer games, sports, swimming, ping pong, arts and crafts, and more.

Classes for kids include swimming (a special Asthma Swim Program is also available), martial arts (Karate), Drama Kids, and basketball.

Afterschool programs, for kids ages five to 12 years old, offer a range of activities, including sports and games, homework help, swimming, computer access, and ecology lessons. The program runs Mon-Fri, from 3pm-7pm, for a fee of $150/month. Transportation is available for an additional fee.

Kids attending PS 4, 28, 92, 125, 173, 175, 189, 192, and 194 can sign up for a Virtual Y afterschool program, which runs till 6pm on weekdays and is free.

Teens can sign up for karate classes, join the Youth and Government Club, a Cyberlab Internship Program, or Americorps. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Y's Teen Center offers swimming, gym, basketball, and other activites from 7pm-10pm for a $5 registration fee.

Membership is charged on a monthly basis, although you must commit for a year at a time. Price for Family Membership 1, which includes one adult and three children under 18, is $38.57/mo; Family Membership 2, which includes two adults and three children under 18, is $63.61/month. There is also a $125 initiation fee for first time members.

The Jackie Robinson Recreation Center hosts a Playschool room, arts and crafts room, computer resource room, playground, two baseball fields, an outdoor pool, and a basketball court

Numerous kid-friendly programs, including afterschool care, are available. Call for details.

The JCC's 137,000 foot state-of-the-art building houses a nursery school, auditorium, pool, gym, rooftop playground, fitness center, gift shop, cafe, contemplative space, plus senior, adult, and teen centers that offer a wide variety of programs such as arts & crafts, photography, cooking, day camp, afterschool, and more. Truly a building for the entire community.

Sports leagues for kids and adults, parenting seminars and classes, Operation Chicken Soup, a teen-led program to deliver hot kosher food to the elderly and infirm, and many other programs are highly recommended.

Swimming lessons begin for children at the age of six months, accompanied by parent or caregiver.

Family swim times are available throughout the week. Call or visit the JCC's website for hours, as they vary.

Tweens use the Center as a place to meet up with friends and experiment with cutting edge programs in a relaxed and safe environment.

Teens can check out theater, cooking, arts, CPR, self-defense, and writing classes. The Teen Lounge offers a safe haven where older kids can relax, study, or hang out with friends.

Vacation and Summer Camps, for children ages three to ten, offer basketball, painting, drama, cooking, gymnastics, soccer, crafts, movement, games, floor hockey, dance, science, and more. Call 646.505.4430 for more info.

The Parenting Resource Center offers classes in everything from breastfeeding to allergies to child-raising strategies and cooking classes.

Three separate membership packages are available; call or visit the JCC's website for details

Youth programs at McBurney include: swimming, playtime with caregivers for kids 18mo-24mo, and lessons in computer, swimming, cooking, drawing, photography, karate, basketball and volleyball.

Teens have their own building at the McBurney YMCA, and activities there include basketball, strength training, tutoring, computer classes, league and team sports, Youth & Government and more. Call 212.741.6388 for information and to register.

Better still, Saturday Night Y offers teens their own weekly evening out, with dancing, swimming, sports activities and a place to call their own. Call 212.741.8719 for information.

Family Swim times are Sat 1pm-4pm and Sun 1pm-3pm; children must be members, but member children's non-member parents can join them.

This branch also offers a Holiday Camp to occupy kids when school's on break, with arts & crafts, sports, field trips and special activities. Call 212.741.6384 to register.

Assorted membership plans are available, as are
birthday parties, and babysitting. Call for more information.

New York Cares is a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting pressing community needs by mobilizing volunteers. Families and youth service volunteers are encouraged to pitch in and discover the joy of giving.

Initiatives include an annual winter Coat Drive, a Winter Wishes program that provides holiday gifts for families with children, large scale volunteer days (October and April), and more. New York Cares offers more than 900 flexibly scheduled volunteer projects every month across the city addressing a wide range of social needs affecting men, women, and children in need.

Visit the website for information on how to volunteer, and which opportunities are currently available.

Youth programs at the North Brooklyn YMCA include afterschool enrichment, tutoring, gymnastics, and dance for children ages five to 12; martial arts (Judo & Karate) for ages five to 18; youth aerobics for ages seven to 14, teen recreation, Leaders Club, Global Teens, Youth & Government, and Computer Clubs.

Swimming classes are available for kids as young as six months (with parent) through adulthood. Family Swim times are offered as well.

From the free weekend teen center to the hugely popular swimming lessons, there's always something fun to do at the Prospect Park YMCA.

Swimming Programs include Family Free Swim and a wide range of classes for children ages six months and up. On Friday evenings, the pool is reserved for kids ages 12 to 17 participating in Teen Center.

The indoor heated pool, with an average temperature of 84 degrees, is also available for birthday parties.

One of the best ideas to come from the Y's recent renovation is the fact that there are now four locker/changing rooms: Men's, Women's, Girls', and Boys' - no more worrying about sending your six-year-old son alone into the men's locker room.

Coed Karate classes provide instruction for kids ages five through 13. Progressive gymnastics and basketball leagues are also available.

The Prospect Park YMCA's School Age Childcare program provides a safe environment for Kindergarten through fifth grade age children to learn, relax, thrive, and have fun, weekdays from 3pm to 6pm. The program is based at PS 321, and children are picked up from select area public schools. Activities include games and sports, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor play, reading, music, karate, science, cooking, and a weekly trip to the Y's pool for swimming. The program runs from September to June on full and half school days, and registration is ongoing.

Full-day Vacation Camp programs are offered during winter, mid-winter, and spring school breaks and on teachers' conference days. The program includes swimming, sports, games, and field trips. Camp hours are 8am-6pm. Registration for Holiday Camp is ongoing and requires a fee of $35 for non-members and $30 for members.

A plethora of programs designed just for teens are offered here, including step dancing, Earth Service Club, Youth and Government Program, and more.

The Teen Center offers a variety of free activities including instructional and recreational sports.

The Early Childhood Center offers educational full- and half-day programs for children ages two-and-a-half to five. The center is open from 7:30am to 6pm, and includes a range of fun-filled, hands-on experiences for children who are just taking their first steps in life.

The curriculum includes swimming lessons, dramatic play, language arts, cultural celebrations, music and movement, art, science, computer activities, and cooking. The Center features a wide range of toys, sand tables, water tables, blocks, tricycles and wagons, and climbing equipment. The Early Childhood Center is committed to a multi-cultural program that encourages children to grow as individuals and become sensitive and responsive to others in small and large groups.

Need-based scholarships are available.

The popular PS 87 Afterschool Program offers afterschool classes during the school year as well as summer and holiday camps. Attending PS 87 is not a prerequisite; all children are welcome.

Classes offered include Animation, Fencing, Bloody Shakespeare, MacKids, Magic, Comics, Cooking, Music Ensemble, Scienterrific Kids, Filmmaking, French, Create-a-Play Rock 'n' Roll Musical Theatre, and more

While the program is based at PS 87, several classes take place off site such as skating in Lasker Rink or The Rink at Rockefeller Center, Adventures at the Museum of Natural History, and Park programs in Central Park and Riverside Park. All classes leave and return from the school.

Holiday camps offers kids ages the opportunity to explore unique daily themes through activities in the morning at PS 87, and trips around the city in the afternoon. Each day boasts a different theme including Film & TV, Science, Art, and Sports. Sign up for single days, or register for the whole week and get a discount.

All programs are fully insured and professionally managed.

The Puppetry in Practice (PIP) Museum offers puppet workshops and performances for preschool and elementary age children as well week-long Summer Institutes for teachers in Toy Theater, Shadow Puppetry, and Animation. PIP is open by appointment and houses an extensive folktale resource library for use on-site.

The Riverdale Y offers extensive classes and programs for kids and families, and hosts a vast array of family-friendly events over the course of the calendar year.

Classes for kids include swimming, martial arts, basketball, tennis, team sports, and dance. Music classes offered include individual or group instruction, Suzuki, recitals, and a community student orchestra.

A Special Needs program is offered on Saturdays.

Swimming instruction options include private, "buddy," and group lessons (youngest children with parent or caregiver). Non-members may take classes, but pay a registration fee. The Drowning Prevention Program, is offered for kids ages eight to 14. Intermediate swimmers from ages 11 to 14, can take a Junior Lifeguard course.

Two afterschool programs, for kids ages four to 12 years old, offer a range of activities, including science, cooking, magic, pottery, art, dance, creating a newspaper, chess, and girl scouting. Locations are PS 24 and the Y's own KidsSpace. Call for information about transportation from local schools and homes, to and from the afterschool program.

When school vacations loom, consider the Y's Vacation Camp programs. Fees range from $40-$45 per day, and run from 9am-5pm, with early/late stay available for an additional fee.

The Parenting Center offers numerous parenting and infant classes each season, including play and discussion groups.

The Nursery School Program enrolls children ages two to four. The school day generally runs from 9am-11:30am for twos, with a choice of Mon/Wed/Fri or Tue/Thu. By the age of four, children may attend five days, from 9am-3:15pm. Prices range from $2,240 to $7,210, plus a $150 registration fee for each child. Nursery school begins in September and runs through mid-June.

The Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program is offered weekdays from 12:30-3:00 pm. Places are drawn by lottery at Community School District 10 and are available for children who will be four years old by December 31st. Call for more information.

Also check the Y's Summer Camp options.

Family membership is $695/year. Teen membership is $210 (your teen is covered if you opt for Family membership).

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One of New York City's great landmark churches, St Bart's serves an Episcopalian congregation. The 9 o'clock Sunday service is planned with families in mind and the 11 o'clock service features Children Time in the Chapel (during the adult sermon), after which the children return to the service.

High school students, Middle Schoolers, and children in Grades K-6 are eligible to audition for one of five boychoirs and girlchoirs based on grade level. The program includes professional music training, touring, and field trips, plus weekly karate classes, swimming, volleyball and basketball. For details or to set up an audition, contact Preston Smith at 212.378.0220 or email smith@stbarts.org.

St. Bartholomew Community Preschool is a licensed preschool program that has served young children for more than 30 years. Open to the community, the Preschool provides a high quality, family-centered early childhood education to children ages two through six in an extensive facility with diversified student and faculty members. The Preschool also sponsors Playgroups and French and Spanish classes for preschoolers. For information, please contact Mary Ponce at 212.378.0238/0223 or email ponce@stbarts.org.

Summer at St Bart's offers three options for the 2005 season: St Bart's Day Camp includes instructional swimming, sports, dance, and activities on the rooftop playground for 3.6- to 9-year-olds (with half days available for 3.6- to 4-year-olds); Island Sports Camp with swimming at St Bart's then soccer and tennis on Roosevelt Island for 6- to 13-year-olds; and Travel Camp with swimming, sports, and travel to an educational or recreational site for 9- to 13-year-olds.

The flexible camp schedule allows families to sign up for as many weeks as needed or wanted, and the time does not need to be consecutive. Breakfast, lunch and After Camp (Mon-Thu, 3pm-5:30pm) is available!

For more information, pick up a brochure at St Bart's, contact Ms Jamie Martin Currie at 212.378.0203, or email martincurrie@stbarts.org.

The Staten Island Y offers an Early Childhood Center with 2 age-appropriate fenced-in playgrounds and classes for children as young as 1 year, including Mommy and Me, pre-school soccer, yoga, music, drama, sports and martial arts, in addition to a nursery school program accredited by the Department of Health. The nursery program includes half day, full day and extended day options.

Swim classes for kids begin as early as 6 months.

Children 5-14 can choose classes ranging from gymnastics to Tae Kwon Do, dance, arts and crafts, writing, computer training, basketball, floor hockey, soccer and golf. The Y's volunteer-organized Baseball League can accomodate 960 children. The YMCA Basketball League for children ages 7-16 begins in April.

The Y also has a theater workshop, which meets twice a week, and a virtual Y after school program for elementary school kids which runs from 3pm-6pm weekdays.

For teens (11-15), the Y offers Friday evening get-togethers (pre-registration required, but the program is free for Staten Islanders), step and fitness classes and weight training. Make sure your older kids check out the New York State Youth & Government Program, and get your adolescent daughters hooked up with Girls Inc.

This Y has a pool and two gymnasiums.

Babysitting service for children from 6 months to 5 years of age, is available Mon-Sat from 9am-12noon; Mondays and Thursdays from 5pm-8pm. This service is provided free of charge to those with an Adult or Family membership. There is a $2.00 hourly fee per child for all others. Limit 1 ½ hrs/ day.

Call for membership information and party giving particulars.

The Staten Island Y offers an Early Childhood Center with a fenced-in playground and classes for children as young as age one, including Mommy and Me, pre-school soccer, music, drama, sports and martial arts, in addition to a nursery school program accredited by the Department of Health. The nursery program includes half day, full day, and extended day options.

Swim classes for kids begin as early as six months of age.

Children five to 14 can choose classes ranging from gymnastics to Tae Kwon Do, dance, arts and crafts, writing, computer training, basketball, floor hockey, soccer, and golf. The Y's volunteer-organized Baseball League can accomodate 960 children.

The Y also has a theater workshop which meets twice a week, and a virtual Y afterschool program for elementary school kids which runs from 3pm-6pm weekdays.

For teens (11-15), the Y offers Friday evening get-togethers (pre-registration required, but the program is free for Staten Islanders), basketball leagues, step and fitness classes, and weight training. Make sure your older kids check out the New York State Youth & Government Program, and get your adolescent daughters hooked up with Girls Inc.

Babysitting for children ages six months to five years is available Mon-Sat from 9am-12n; Mondays and Thursdays from 5pm-8pm. This service is provided free of charge to those with an Adult or Family membership. There is a $2 hourly fee per child for all others. Limit 1 ½ hrs per day.

Call for membership information and party-giving particulars.

Tweed Courthouse is home to the NYC Department of Education. Designated as a New York City Landmark, the building is also lis