Chartered here at this location in 1912, the Boy Scouts of America has succeeded in providing many youth programs which help kids develop their personal character and learn more about interacting with one's community.
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, established in 1911, provides programs for children in grades 1 through 12 in the following core areas: sports, fitness and recreation, the arts, education and career development, character and leadership development, and health and life skills.
Wakeman's facility, at 385 Center St. in the town's Southport neighborhood, includes two gymnasiums, basketball courts, game room, weight room, community meeting room, technology center, arts studio, multi-purpose room, athletic field, play gym and outdoor basketball and tennis courts.
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club states that its mission is to enhance the physical, social and emotional development of area youth through programs that perpetuate sound citizenship.
Membership fees in spring 2010 were $25 a year for first- and second-graders; $65 a year for children in grades 3 through 12, with a ceiling of $195 per family; $40 for college students, which allows them to use the facility when they are on break, during the summer and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when school is in session from September to June; and $175 for adults, which allows them to use the facility throughout the year, but from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on days when school is in session from September to June.
Memberships are for the program year, which runs from Sept.1 through Aug. 31.
In the fall of 2003, Wakeman's opened a satellite clubhouse in First Presbyterian Church, 2475 Easton Turnpike in Fairfield, and Wakeman's also has an outreach program with McKinley School, where Wakeman volunteers help elementary school students with homework and hold recreational events.
Wakeman's, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, has more than 3,400 members.
The Southington Community YMCA Learning Center offers a Preschool Day Care program licensed by the State of Connecticut and is open year round for boys and girls ages 2 years and 9 months through five years of age. Children ages 3 to 5 are enrolled for a full academic year. A center-based learning system is utilized in combination with the use of the CT Department of Education's Creative Curriculum for Preschoolers and Preschool Curriculum Framework as a guide. Activities include indoor/outdoor play, arts and crafts, field trips, mathematics, dramatic play, literacy, and science.
Children must hold YMCA membership and be fully toilet trained and out of pull-ups to participate in the Preschool program.
This is the Girl Scouts Service Center for Wilton. Stop by the center for more information on area troops or to shop for uniforms, badges, patches and pins. The shop also sells the always-coveted Girl Scout cookies during the organization's annual cookie drive.
Wallingford Family YMCA - West Side Branch is a state-of-the-art fitness center conveniently located on North Turnpike Road, close to Route 15, the Wilbur Cross Parkway. The health club boasts more than 70 cardio machines, all with attached TVs and DVD players, a full-size basketball court, two weight rooms and more than 40 classes, including Zumba, kickboxing and spinning. It also has tanning, sauna and steam room facilities and offers personal training and in-house daycare.
