Kids First &
Kaleidoscope Weekends
Kids First & Kaleidoscope Weekends at the Walker Family YMCA
Kids First
Kids First is a YMCA program specifically designed for children between the ages of 3 to 12 years with special needs. The program focuses on the individual's strengths and abilities through a variety of social and recreational activiites. Daily schedules will include swimming, active games, outdoor activities (weather permitting), creative projects and special events.
In order to offer a variety of integrated experiences and creative activities, the Kids First team has developed themes that relate to each week of the program. These themes will allow participants to experience unique activities that are both developmentally appropriate and fun! Participants are asked to bring their own lunch and snacks, bathing suit and towel, outdoor apparel and indoor running shoes for the program
Kids First presents children the opportunity to create friendships and become actively involved within the community. Kids First also allows children to be mainstreamed in age appropriate activities within the Walker YMCA facility, with proper support, alongside peers who may or may not have special needs.
Kids First is offered every other Saturday from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Parents may choose to register for half days, either mornings 9:30am - 12:30pm or afternoons 12:30pm - 3:30 pm. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis. In order to ensure appropriate staffing, children must be registered at least three days in advance. Kids First at the YMCA is supported by the United Way. The fee for participants is $40.00 per Saturday or $20.00 per half day per child.
Kaleidoscope Weekends
Kaleidoscope Weekends is a recreational program designed for youth 13 to 25 years of age who have special needs. This program is operated in partnership with the St. Catharines Association for Community Living, and creates opportunities for youth to become successfully involved in fun, age appropriate activities with the necessary support. Youth are given opportunities to develop friendships while being integrated into a community setting.
Kaleidoscope participants are involved in a variety of activities including the use of the Walker Family YMCA facility (indoor track, weights, treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, circuit machines, cross trainers, squash/racquetball courts, gymnasium and swimming pool). Each participant develops his/her own individual program based on his/her own unique abilities and interests.
In order to offer a variety of integrated experiences and creative activities, the Kaleidoscope team has developed themes that relate to each session of the program. These themes will allow participants to experience unique activities that are both developmentally appropriate and fun. Excursions into the local community will also take place on a regular basis.
Kaleidoscope Weekends is offered every other Saturday from 1:00 - 4:30 pm. In order to ensure appropriate staffing, youth must be registered at least three days in advance. The fee for participants is $20.00 per Saturday.
How to Register for Kids First or Kaleidoscope Registration can be done in person at any YMCA of Niagara membership desk or by phone if you are paying by credit card. In order to register by phone, you must contact Lucy Belchior directly at 905 934 9622 ext. 242.
If your child is a new participant in the program, please be prepared to take time to create or add to their profile before they attend. This will allow the staff to get the necessary information and strategies on how to successfully support your child. In order to ensure appropriate staffing and the safety and success of each session, participants who have not registered and paid for the program in advance will not be permitted to attend that session. If your child is being funded through another agency, please have the agency contact Lucy Belchior to make the necessary arrangements for both registration and payment.
All program dates for the 2007-8 season are available for registration and parents are encouraged to register for multiple weeks at a time. We will give families a full refund or credit for any cancellation done 3 days before the program date. After this period refunds will not be permitted
Staffing and Ratios: All YMCA Staff are required to have a current Criminal Reference Check, Standard First Aid and CPR level C. All Kids First and Kaleidoscope staff have experience supporting children with a wide range of needs and abilities in a variety of environments. The majority of the staff are also trained in Non-violent Crisis Intervention in order to ensure the safety of the children in the program.
The pre-determined ratio is 1 staff to every 3 participants. If you feel that your child may not be successful in this environment then please contact Lucy in advance to arrange a smaller ratio if applicable.
For further information on Kids First or Kaleidoscope Weekends, please contact Lucy Belchior, Program Support Coordinator, at 905-934-9622 ext. 242 or email lbelchior@ymcaofniagara.ca .
