Believing that the “tween” years are pivotal in developing healthy and productive lifelong habits, the Westport Weston Family YMCA today announced an eighth grade membership program featuring $15 monthly membership fees.
The program, effective July 1, replaces the Y’s current seventh grade membership initiative. It is available to all rising local eighth graders in Westport and Weston schools, an announcement said. The eligibility period runs through June 30, 2016.
The YMCA being a cause-driven charitable organization, there is a requirement that all eighth grade members complete 10 hours of volunteer service over the course of the year, Y officials said.
Volunteer opportunities may include assistance in the Y’s Kids’ Club, clerical help, small maintenance projects like helping with the annual Camp Mahackeno cleanup, and meeting and greeting YMCA members in the Welcome Center.
Launched four years ago and modeled after similar programs at YMCA’s around the country, the seventh grade initiative was based on the knowledge that the “tween” years are pivotal in developing healthy and productive lifelong habits.
Research shows that middle school is a critical time in a young person’s life when exposure to risk factors greatly increases, the announcement said.
For more information about the new pogram or the YMCA’s Annual Campaign that supports it, contact Brian Marazzi at (203)-226-8981 x104 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
