Youth Hoops
Youth Hoops is a 12-week instructional co-ed Basketball program for 2nd-9th graders.
We currently have 3 divisions: 2nd-4th grade, 5th & 6th grade and 7th, 8th & 9th grade.
The goals of the program are to provide a positive atmosphere that allows every child to participate on a team while gaining valuable skills. Our travel team is designed to challenge exceptional players and intensify the philosophy of teamwork in understanding and competing in a highly competitive situation. Travel teams are chosen in every division. Teams average approximately 30-35 games per season.
Afterschool Program
Offered Monday through Friday 2:30–5:30pm during the school year, and 9:00am–5:00pm during school vacations and professional days. Pick up from Grafton St. School and La Familia Dual Language School.
Our after-school program fosters an appreciation of self, others and the world around us by providing a variety of activities which stimulate a child’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. Self-motivated learning through discovery, exploration and hands-on involvement, coupled with many opportunities for making choices, allow for children’s individual needs to be met while encouraging respect for others.
Physical Education – A gym program is offered everyday including but not limited to basketball, soccer, kickball, parachute games, etc.
Arts and Crafts – Children will explore their own creativity under the guidance of an instructor. Finished products are the child’s to keep.
Game Room – Quiet passive games for fun and relaxation; learn the rules and skills of board games.
Homework Help – Open to all children who need help with their homework, projects, book reports, etc.
FUN (Fitness and Understanding Nutrition) – Our FUN Program allows children the opportunity to find a true love for fitness, nutrition and cooking. Taught with an emphasis on healthy habits, children get hands on experience learning about healthy foods and preparing meals in our CASA kitchen. With funding provided by Herbalife Family Foundation, we are letting children take control of their health!
WPI Robotics – Friendly House in cooperation with Worcester Polytechnical Institute (WPI) offers children the opportunity to explore more options with science and technology and gives the children the experience of building a working robot. This program operates on Thursdays from 3:00–5:00pm during the school year. Must be registered in our afterschool program, payments up to date and fill out WPI program form.
Summer Camp
Friendly House’s summer camp program is an 8 week curriculum for children aged 5–12 years, designed to engage the campers in physical, recreational and educational activities which will enhance their social and emotional growth while preventing any summer learning loss. Activites include: Arts-n-Crafts, Enrichment, Swimming, Cooking, Summer Reading (aligned with WPS summer reading lists, Physical Fitness, Special Events & weekly Field Trips. Camp hours are 9:00am–4:00pm Monday through Friday, with aftercare available until 5:30pm. FREE Breakfast, Lunch and Snack served everyday at Wall Street and Lakeside locations.
Teen Center
Teens in grades 7-12 can register for the Friendly House Teen Center. This drop-in program for teens is free and features a mentoring program, basketball training, financial literacy, cooking & baking, homework help, college readiness and features our annual HBCU tour. The goal of the teen program is to offer a variety of recreational/educational activities that helps teens recognize and effectively deal with the changes and complexities of teenagers’ life today. We encourage parents, guardians and the teens to contribute ideas and any other available resource to help us meet the needs of our teenagers. Dinner is provided.
YouthConnect Program
YouthConnect is a collaboration among Worcester’s major youth-serving agencies − Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Friendly House, Girls Inc. of Worcester, YMCA of Central MA, Youth Opportunities Upheld (Y.O.U.) Inc., YWCA of Central MA, and Worcester Youth Center. YouthConnect provides quality out-of-school time programs to over 6,000 youth in the city. Each partner brings its own signature expertise, culture and niche to the endeavor.
For questions about YouthConnect, please contact Merri Marum, Director of Child, Youth and Family Programs at mmarum@friendlyhousema.org or visit the YouthConnect website.
