Serving the City’s Younger Citizens:
Newburyport Youth Services
By Kathleen Downey
Elizabeth Rush leads a Flower Fairy workshop
On a raw and dreary April afternoon during Newburyport’s school vacation week, two classrooms inside the Kelley School were alive with activities and bright smiles. In one of the rooms, teacher Elizabeth Rush led an engaged group of little girls in a flower fairies workshop. In a room across the hall, teacher Kevin Husson led a group of exuberant boys through a Lego workshop.
These workshops were just two of the April vacation offerings through Newburyport Youth Services (NYS); a baseball clinic, a cooking seminar, and an Irish Step dance class were also packed into the wet spring week—each held at various locations throughout greater Newburyport. Presently, NYS’s spring program is underway with Newburyport youngsters learning the defensive and artful sport of fencing, tennis, baseball, and yoga. Non-athletic activities include creative writing, radio broadcasting, and a music course that introduces the youngest students (ages 3 to 5) to rhythm, sound, and song. NYS’s upcoming summer program will offer screen-printing, scrapbooking, a class called “Imagination Station” that promises to stretch the mind, another class called “CSI Newburyport” that will train young detectives, and “Wicked Cool Rocket Science” that will allow students to design, build, and launch their own rockets. Fairies and Legos will make another appearance, along with digital photography, field hockey, golf, mountain biking, horseback riding, tennis, golf . . . and much more. Teen trips include a day’s adventure in Ziplining with Alpine Adventures in Lincoln, NH; a surf camp; a day paddle boarding, and an excursion to Canobie Lake Park.
With a mission to “[C]reate quality programming and events for our city’s youth in safe and supportive environments that encourage growth, self exploration and empowerment,” NYS annually serves over 1000 of Newburyport’s younger citizens, ages 3 to 18, and their families through a combination of recreation and social services.
Andrea Egmont
Andrea Egmont, Supervisor of Youth and Recreational Services, speaks to NYS’s mission. “Our philosophy goes beyond keeping kids busy; our programs expose them to lifelong hobbies and interests. We strive to build healthy youth, so they can make better life choices.” NYS’s partnership with the Beacon Coalition helps students to achieve this goal. Comprised of twelve sectors including law enforcement, business schools, clergy, parents, and youth, the Beacon Coalition teaches young people to remain steadfast in a healthy lifestyle and to avoid the perils of alcohol and drug abuse—with a goal of cultivating strong community citizens. “We want our kids to know that they are of value and to recognize that they are part of our community,” says Egmont.
In addition to seasonal and school vacation programs, NYS contracts with the YWCA for after-school care for students in kindergarten through Grade 6. A Drop-In Center at the Kelley School serves middle-school students. “The Drop-In program is great because it fosters independence for those too old for day care but too young to be left home alone,” says Egmont. Students in seventh to twelfth grade are invited to join the Youth Council. “Serving on the council inspires a sense of personal responsibility and leadership,” Egmont attests. During the course of the year, Youth Council members enjoy two to four retreats that build on camaraderie, community, and leadership skills.
“We have great programs,” declares Egmont. She says that parental feedback strengthens and helps to vary NYS’s curriculum. In addition to its recreational programs and social services, NYS is also entrusted with overseeing the Newburyport Skate Park.
Fairy greeting cards
Besides Egmont, the NYS core staff is comprised of Chris Power, Program Coordinator for the Beacon Coalition (who, on the day of my visit, just happened to be dressed as a giant yellow duck—in promotion of NYS’s recent Lucky Duck Derby fundraiser); Margot Petler, Recreation Director; and Beth Manning, Youth Coordinator. Thirty high-school and college-age staff members also lend their support to the various programs.
“NYS offers a large return on investment in the city,” says Egmont. This investment in Newburyport’s youth is sustained through grants, donations, and scholarships for student participation in the various programs. “Newburyport families are ‘hungry’ for what we can offer their children. Rather than turn away students or not offer programs, we work within our business community to find sponsorships.” Egmont extrapolates that these sponsorships also give a boost to a business’s community profile.
“Ultimately,” says Egmont, NYS is about cultivating a culture of community.”
NYS’s summer program begins at the end of June. For a complete NYS summer program listing and enrollment details visit: http://ww.newburyportyouthservices.com/seasonal.html or telephone Andrea Egmont at 978-465-4434.
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Kathleen Downey is the Features Editor at Newburyport Today. Kathleen can be reached at Kathleen@Newburyport-Today.com
