Silver Bay YMCA Ticonderoga Teen Center April 2025 Newsletter

SILVER BAY YMCA TICONDERGA TEEN CENTER

OUR MISSION

To provide local youth with a safe space to connect with their community, to engage in opportunities to grow and have the freedom to be their best selves.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Silver Bay YMCA Ticonderoga Teen Center is a free drop-in program for 1318 year olds located on the main floor of the Armory at 123 Champlain Ave.

Read on for our highlights from April!

. Mondays: 3pm-9pm

Tuesdays: 3pm-9pm

Wednesdays: 3pm-9pm Thursdays 3pm-9pm Fridays: 3pm-10pm Saturdays: CLOSED Sundays: CLOSED

COOKING AND BAKING

Teens continued their usual cooking activities this month with some favorite meals including chicken tacos, quesadillas, omelets, as well as frequent pasta and sandwiches. We also baked and decorated cupcakes in celebration of a staff member’s last day with us here at the Teen Center. Our staff love to see how many teens have gained confidence in the kitchen and are becoming self-sufficient when it comes to feeding themselves. Our hope is that the Teen Center cooking program both meets their immediate needs for food as well as providing life skills that they will always carry with them.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

In preparation for the Masquerade Ball, teens were regularly painting and decorating masks during the first half of April. They truly made some beautiful creations and ensured that in addition to creating their own, there were enough masks for teens to grab at the door if they wanted to dress to theme and hadn’t had a chance to make their own before the event. Teens also had fun with perler beads and even brought out our sewing kit and fabric to try and make their own clothing items. We never know what these creative kids will try next and are eager to encourage their ideas and exploration.

EASTER

The Teen Center hosted several holiday inspired activities in April. Our teen Leaders Club decided to host an Easter Egg hunt for th kids in the K-5 after school program in addition to having an egg hunt for the teens. Both events drew heavy participation and wen off without a hitch. The younger kids were extremely excited to explore the teen’s domai within the Armory and our teens thoroughly enjoyed both hiding and seeking the eggs. The promise of candy didn’t seem to hurt either. Thanks to all who celebrated with us!

PORTS

The weather is warming up which means local sports teams have moved most of their practices outside, leaving the gym free for teens. Participants used the gym for basketball nearly every day in April and have a few more weeks to use the indoor court before the Teen Center will be closing for the summer. We have also played several fun games of volleyball recently with teens challenging our staff who possess a wide range of athletic ability. Still, we try to model a willingness to try new things, teamwork and cooperation. It’s always great to see the teens getting active and sharing their skills with younger peers.

FIELD TRIP TO SILVER BAY

During the Ticonderoga public school Spring Break, we offered a field trip down to Silver Bay YMCA’s main campus. Staff transported teens twenty minutes down Lake George to take advantage of several recreational opportunities that Silver Bay has to offer. They started with rock climbing in the historic Fischer Gym followed by some indoor archery. Program staff set everyone up with appropriately sized and weighted bows and offered instruction on safety protocols and firing technique. The teens had a great time shooting at the archery targets and managed to hit a few bullseyes. Next, the group enjoyed the beautiful weather while playing on the outdoor pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts. They rounded out the day by learning shuffleboard, which was new to all the teens on the field trip. We hope everyone had a great time and will join us again for our final trip in May!

GAMES

The Teen Center hosted many fun games this month including the classic camp game, Gaga ball. We blew up our inflatable octagon for teens to battle it out in the gym, attempting to hit opponents with a ball below the knees. Teens also enjoyed a variety of board games including Tiny Towns, which was designed by former Silver Bay teen counselor Peter McPherson. We also tackled some truly elaborate puzzles and had a great time seeing them come together. Dungeons and Dragons is still going strong with just a few sessions remaining before wrapping up for the school year.

MASQUERADE BALL

On April 17th, the last day before the public school’s spring break, the Teen Center hosted our final dance of the year. Teens prepped all month for the masquerade ball which they helped carry out from the conception of the idea for a masked ball, to making and putting up decorations, and even curating the playlist. It was one of our most ambitious and creative events in quite some time and we sincerely hope that the teens enjoyed the fruits of their labors to the fullest. It was a lovely and fun night. There were many beautiful masks worn by those who chose to dress to theme.