Weston Answer Book
Weston Answer Book: Children and Teens
Jun 15, 2007

How do I find a day care facility for my child?

Infoline at 2-1-1 maintains current listings of all state-licensed facilities in Connecticut. Childcare counselors will help parents assess the quality of different programs. Both the phone call and service are free.

There is also a listing of daycare providers in Weston in the Weston Youth Commission’s Directory of Activities and Services for Children, Youth and Families in Weston. You can stop by the office for a copy (see below)..

What should I look for in a day care provider?

All day care centers should be licensed by the state and that license should be prominently displayed. They should also display the fire marshal’s inspection, discipline policy, and complaint procedure.

What kind of permits do day care centers need?

Day care centers fall into three categories: Family Day Care Homes, Group Day Care Homes, and Child Day Care Centers, which also include nursery schools. Requirements include permits from the state Department of Health Services as well as zoning, building, fire and health permits. To advertise for family day care, caretakers must list their license numbers.

What is Weston Youth Services?

Weston’s Youth Services (222-2585) office is in the back of the Weston Public Library. The office creates and supports programs and services for Weston’s youngest residents, from birth to age 18. It also offers parenting courses, networks, and workshops. In addition, the office provides referrals to other area services and produces a Directory of Programs and Services for Families in Weston.

What is there for teenagers to do in town?

Weston Venture Crew is a program focusing on high adventure that is open to high school-age boys and girls. The group strives to create a low-key social environment focusing on activities that in the past have included rafting, rock climbing, and skiing. For information, call Barbara King at 454-3566.

Periodic coffeehouses for high school students are co-sponsored by Weston Youth Services and SODA (Students Opposed to Drugs & Alcohol). Check The Weston Forum for dates, times, and location.

What about the preteen set?

A middle school “Hang-out” program caters to students in fourth through sixth grade. It’s an after school program that allows kids to socialize with friends, participate in activities, and play games in a supervised atmosphere. High school student chaperones are always needed. Call Weston Youth Services at 222-2585.

Who helps troubled children?

Weston Department of Social Services offers crisis counseling, professional counseling services, and referrals. Call 222-2663.

Kids in Crisis, based in Cos Cob, offers preventive services and immediate intervention for children in crisis. It is a United Way agency, licensed by the Department of Children and Families that provides both crisis counseling and a short-term residential shelter for children of all ages. The town agreed in April to fund a local chapter for at least one year. Support and counseling is available free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information, call 327-KIDS or visit www.kidsincrisis.org.

Are there any summer camps?

Weston Parks and Recreation offers a five-week summer day camp for children age three through going into seventh grade. Registration is in early spring. For information, call 222-2655.

Parks and Recreation also offers the All American Sports Camp for children entering third grade through seventh grade. It focuses on a variety of sports. For information, call 222-2655.

Weston Soccer Camp has programs for children age 2 through 14. For information, call 222-2584.

Dennis Whalen’s Fundamental Boys Baseball Camp is for grades 2-6. For information, call Dennis at 203-365-0099.

Weston Youth Services offers a number of week-long summer camp choices for kids. The Summer Little Scientist Camp is for those entering first grade and above and has campers working on two science projects a day. This year it is being held June 25-29. The Creative Arts/Enrichment Camp for students in third through sixth grade, this year June 25 to July 6. Dance, Art, and Yoga Camp is for those in second grade and above and runs July 9-13. For information, call Sharyn Samuels at 222-2586 or e-mail ssamuels@weston-ct.com for times, fees, and registration information.

What playgrounds are available?

There are several playgrounds available: Four at Hurlbutt Elementary School (including one that is accessible to children with physical disabilities), one at Weston Intermediate School, one at Weston Middle School, and one, primarily for preschool children, at Keene Park.

The Weston Park Project has been raising money to put in a new playground at Bisceglie-Scribner Park near Bisceglie Pond. It is expected to be ready this summer.

What youth sports programs are offered?

Just about all youth sports are offered here in one form or another. Weston Parks and Recreation offers soccer, basketball, synchronized swimming, swim lessons, and diving.

Weston Girls Softball begins its season in April. Girls in grades 3-8 are welcome. There are also clinics. For information, e-mail Kevin Funk at Funkmann00@aol.com.

Weston Swimming offers programs for swimmers ages  8 to 18, with a beginner group for those 6 to 10 years old. Practices are at Weston Pool, 135 School Road. For information, visit online at www.westonswimming.org.

Weston Soccer Club offers age and skill-appropriate soccer programs to boys and girls in pre-K through 12th grade. There are beginner, league, travel, and indoor (winter) programs. For information, visit www.westonsoccer.com.

Weston Youth Basketball is a recreational league for children in grades 1-8. For information, call Bill Shaeffer at 222-1519.

Weston Basketball Association sponsors travel basketball programs for boys and girls in fifth through eighth grade. For information, visit online at www.westonbasketball.com.

Weston Little League is open to children in first grade through 12 years old. The registration deadline is March 1. There is also a youth umpire program for 13- to 18-year-olds and a mentor program for 11- and 12-year-olds. For information, visit online at www.westonll.com. The hotline is 221-2231.

The Weston Baseball Association offers a Babe Ruth program with teams for players 13 to 15 years old. Registration is usually in February. The hotline number is 221-4534. For information, e-mail Henry Gilbertie at westonthunder@aol.com.

Weston Lacrosse is open to boys and girls in grades 3-8. There are house and travel programs. For information, visit www.westonlax.com.

The club follows the youth sports philosophy espoused by the Positive Coaching Alliance, focusing on teamwork, respect, discipline, and perseverance as well as athletic skills.

The Aspetuck Wildcats is a tackle football team for boys and girls between 7 and 14. For information, visit online at www.wildcatsfootball.com or e-mail Carlos Mello at mello5@optonline.net.

Associated with the Wildcats is a cheerleading squad. For information, call Jill DeSalva at 938-0060 or e-mail JStryker23@aol.com.

There is a wrestling program for children in first through eighth grade offered through parks and recreation. Call Bob Levine at 515-3171 or parks and recreation at 222-2655.

What swim programs are available?

Parks and recreation offers a number of water-related programs for children including swimming lessons, synchronized swimming, diving, and lifeguard training. Call 222-2655 for details.

How can my child find a scout troop to join?

For Cub Scouts, call Kay Spencer at 227-4568.

For Boys Scouts, call Jon Fraade at 226-5157.

For Girl Scouts or Brownies, call Susie Kriewald at 227-6134 or Janice Hayes at 226-1017.

Are there any youth orchestras?

There is the Norwalk Youth Symphony (866-4100), the Stamford Young Artists Philharmonic (329-1686), and the Ridgefield Youth Orchestra (438-3889).

How can a teen find a job?

The College and Career Center at Weston High School runs a Job Bank, a collection of information about available jobs in the Weston area. Any student seeking employment should drop in at the CCC. Anyone having a job he/she wants done should call 291-1668.


© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers