OUR DRIVE-THRU FOOD DRIVE IS NOW SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 3 -- DETAILS LISTED BELOW
|
|
There are no items to display at this time
|
UPCOMING FAMILY, YOUTH & COMMUNITY EVENTS:
Darien Youth Commission Summer Camp!!!
The Darien Youth Commission is gearing up for its 35th year in action! Camp Locations, Trips and other critical details will be released once they are finalized.
DYC Camp registration will begin for Residents online or in-person on Monday February 13th and for Non-Residents on Monday April 24th.
In the meantime any information pertaining to the camps is under the DYC Summer Camp Section. There you will find dates, fees, rules & regulations, and some of our FAQ's.

TOPS Registration is Now Open!!!
The Teen Options Program (TOPS) is sponsored by the Darien Youth Commission. TOPS is committed to offering affordable, safe, fun, drug and alcohol-free activities for Darien students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades (public, private and home-schooled students). Students wanting to attend TOPS events are required to pre-register HERE for free, but there is a cost-covering fee associated with each event.
For additional information please scroll down to the bottom TOPS section to find: dates & fees; rules & regulations; TOPS registration options and grade level parent volunteer sign up.
DYC PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT THE MATHER SENIOR CENTER
The Darien Youth Commission is proud of our ongoing relationships the middle & high school aged students in Darien have formed since the pandemic resulted in serious isolation amongst so many people, especially our senior population. We have had the pleasure of having students decorate: wreaths over the holidays, different types of hearts during Valentine's Day and spring surprises (baskets & terra cotta flower pots). The joy that the Mather Seniors experience from these simple gestures of kindness is wonderful to witness. We look forward to continuing this special partnership for many years to come.

Darien Youth Commission & Person to Person Drive Thru Food Drive: Saturday June 3 -- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Darien Train Station Parking Lot (Koons Lot across from Tilley Pond Park)
The Darien Youth Commission and Person to Person would like to thank everyone who supported our past joint Drive-Thru Food Drives (this is our 6th in less than three years). The generosity of the people in this community is humbling and so appreciated. We never cease to be amazed by friends and neighbors responding to the needs of others.
Donations that best serve our community include; Hearty Soups, Cereal, Oatmeal, Pancake Mix, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Canned Fruit & Veggies, Dried & Canned Beans, Fresh Produce, Bags or Boxes of Rice, Pasta, Sauce, Protein & Nutrition Bars, Shelf-Stable Milk, and Baby Food. Here's a flyer with event details and donations needed. Thank you in advance for your support.
Yellow Tulip Window Painting Event: Saturday May 6th
The Yellow Tulip Project is a youth-driven movement dedicated to destigmatizing mental health challenges. on Saturday May 6th, teams of Middle School and High School students will be painting Tulips (yellow or ANY color) on participating merchant establishments. Teams of up to five (5) members need to register in advance to participate in the wonderful community event supporting this amazing cause. For additional information (history, initiatives, etc.) on this amazing initiative, visit TYTP website.

FAMILY CONCERT AT WEED BEACH -- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 -- 6:00 P.M.
ANNIE & SAFARI BOB OF THE NATURAL WONDER BAND
Back by popular demand, there's no better way to celebrate the end of school and kick-off summer than coming to at one of Darien's greatest resources and enjoying this family-friendly duo. There is an entrance fee of $4.00 per person or $10 per vehicle payable at the beach entrance...beach stickers are not required to attend this event.) Please note: Beach Grille, Weed Beach's concession stand will be open late that evening to accommodate diners; life guards are NOT on duty so swimming is at one's own risk. Flyer for your fridge!
|
|
|
2023 Summer Camp Information
TRADITIONAL DAY-CAMP PROGRAM: The DYC sponsors the Town Camp program, offering three, two-week day camps servicing children who are entering grades 1 - 6. Programs are grade-level in nature and will all be taking place at Tokeneke School. Camps run daily from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with drop-off from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Program includes a variety of sports, arts & crafts, entertainers and if possible, field trips. Please note, children must be appropriate grade in our system to register online. Camps are as follows:
- Camp Stony Brook -- students who have successfully completed Kindergarten (entering grade 1)
- Camp Settlers -- students who have successfully completed Grades 1 & 2 (entering grades 2 & 3)
- Camp Mather -- students who have successfully completed Grades 3, 4 & 5 (entering grades 4, 5 & 6)
- Click Here for FAQs regarding the 2023 Summer Camp Program
- Click Here for program and registration information
- Click Here for online registrations (begins Monday, 2/13/23 at 8:30 a.m.)
- Click Here for downloadable DYC Summer Camp Registration Form (2-sided)
MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER ACTIVITY PROGRAM (MSSAP): The Middle School Summer Activity Program (MSSAP), affectionately dubbed "Camp Menace" is a 6-week summer program for students who are entering grades 7, 8 & 9. Resident registration begins Monday March 13th; based on space, non-resident registration will begin on Monday April 24th. Registration deadline is May 19th 2023.
This small, grassroots program will start on Monday June 19th and continue through Thursday July 27th meeting on Mondays - Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Daily drop-off is 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.; daily pick-up is 2:45 – 3:00 p.m. These times may vary according to field trip destination) Students may register for any individual week(s) or all 6 weeks.
At time of registration, location is TBD (drop-off & pick-up will be there unless otherwise notified). The DYC will continue to follow Town of Darien Health Department guidelines with regards to any changes in COVID-19 protocols. Some field trips may have additional costs associated with them be and must be paid on day of trip.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNTIES: Candidates interested in an opportunity to work as a Summer Camp Counselor, or Counselor In Training (CIT) below please find FAQ, Job Description & Counselor Application. Kindly review the first two documents. If all criteria provided there is met, download job application, thoroughly complete and email to: asillars@darienct.gov.
EFFECTIVE 4/26/23, THE DYC IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR.
Summer Camp Counselor Information:
Summer Camp Counselor Job Description
Summer Camp Counselor FAQs
Counselor In Training Information (CIT)
Counselor In Training Job Description
Counselor In Training FAQs
EFFECTIVE 5/03/23, THE DYC IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CIT'S.
Teen Options Program (TOPS)
2022/23 Events
The Teen Options Program (TOPS) is sponsored by the Darien Youth Commission. It is endorsed by MMS and made possible through the generous involvement of parent volunteers. TOPS is committed to offering affordable, safe, fun, drug and alcohol-free activities for Darien students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades (public, private and home-schooled students).
MEMBERSHIP IN THE TOPS PROGRAM IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND ANY TOPS EVENT! REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
The TOPS schedule has been created for our incoming 6th, 7th & 8th graders! Annual registration for TOPS is free however there is a cost to attend each TOPS events. And while the COVID-19 guidelines have loosened, we will still be following the Darien Public Schools guidelines as well as those recommended by the Town of Darien Health Department. We appreciate your flexibility with any changes that may occur throughout the school year.
- 2022/23 TOPS WELCOME & RULES/REGULATIONS
- 2022/23 TOPS DATES, ACTIVITIES & FEES
- LINKS FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION, IN_PERSON REGISTRATION FORMS, AND THE PARENT VOLUNTEER SIGN UP GENIUS ARE BELOW (PLEASE BE CERTAIN TO USE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR YOUR CHILD SO THAT YOU, AS THE PARENT/GUARDIAN, RECEIVE ALL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS/UPDATES REGARDING THE TOPS PROGRAM.)
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: As a reminder, the TOPS program is 99% reliant on parent involvement and support. We would not be able to provide these fun activities for your children without parent help. Below, please find grade-level sign-up genius links where you can easily sign up to volunteer! Thank you in advance for your continued support of the TOPS program. Not only is your help greatly appreciated but also makes it possible to run these fun activities for all of your kids.
|
Darien's Thriving Youth Task Force:
Involving all sectors of the community, Thriving Youth is Darien’s coalition of concerned youth, community and civic organizations, businesses and individuals working together to provide meaningful relationships, experiences, skills and opportunities to benefit all our children. (For additional information on Darien's prevention council, visit the Community Fund of Darien's Thriving Youth Task Force website.)
Darien Youth Commission Mission Statement:
The Youth Commission shall act as an advocate for youth services by developing, planning, coordinating and/or conducting programs and/or activities focused on enrichment for the youth of the Town of Darien. This includes, though is not limited to addressing: health, recreation, employment, positive youth development and general welfare requirements of these said youth. Such programs and activities offered shall strive to avoid unnecessary duplication of those provided by public and private agencies.
Youth Commission Members 2022-23 (updated 11-03-22)