Our Education & Leadership programs provide our youth with the opportunity to grow and pursue interests outside of school, while developing leadership skills and building character.

Red Cross Babysitting Certification

Red Cross Babysitting Certification (Ages 11-15)
Enjoy being with kids? Looking to earn extra cash? Take the Red Cross Babysitting Certification course at our Y and become “the best of the best.” You’ll learn specific techniques and skills to become certified in First Aid. Parents will feel reassured when they hear that you have earned this certification. If you want to be a confident, fun, and creative babysitter, sign up now! This is a 1-day program for ages, 11-15.

For additional information, contact George Bennett at 203-920-1634. Please see our current brochure for updated session dates, times, and fees.

Red Cross Lifeguarding Courses & Recertification

Junior Lifeguarding Course (Ages 11-14)
The American Red Cross has introduced a junior lifeguarding course designed to guide and prepare youth ages 11-14 for the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course. Course focuses on building foundation of knowledge, attitude, and skills for future lifeguards.

Red Cross Lifeguarding Course (Ages 15+)
The American Red Cross Lifeguard course is available to those who are interested in becoming a certified lifeguard. This course includes certification in First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer/AED and Lifeguard. Participants must pass a written and practical exam for each certification. This course is pass or fail. A required online blended learning portion will be emailed out by the Monday prior to the course. The blended learning portion must be completed by the end of the last class and must be completed in order to receive the lifeguard certification. All course materials included.

Participants must bring the following to class: a mask, swimsuit, towel, goggles, notebook, pen or pencil, highlighter, snack and beverage. The water pretest will be held the first day of the course. Anyone who does not pass the pretest will be refunded the course fee minus $35, plus any course materials taken.

Lifeguard Review Course (All ages; recertification course for current lifeguards)
This course is for those individuals who are already certified as a lifeguard and need to re-certify all three certifications: First Aid, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Lifeguard certifications. Course dates will be determined in the near future.

Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard Module
This course is offered to current certified lifeguards seeking additional Red Cross Waterfront certification for outdoor waterfronts, beaches, lakes or ponds.

For additional information, contact Matt Busse at 203-920-1643. Please see our current brochure for updated session dates, times, and fees.

Leadership Programs

We provide programs for youth in middle school and high school to gain leadership experience, helping them grow through different opportunities within our Y and our community.

Junior Leadership Program (Grades 5-6)
This is the lead-in to our Y.A.L.P. program and offers those in grades 5 & 6 a chance to experience what’s next. This program will meet every Saturday for two months and will consist of time at the YMCA and two off-site day trips. The time at the Y will be spent in the Flex space, gym, Wagner room, and back field (weather permitting). The two day trips will be similar to the Y.A.L.P. ones in that they will creatively challenge children. We will also be planning and completing one community service activity during these two months.

Young Adult Leadership Program (Grades 7-8)
Do you like adventurous field trips, exclusive time at the Y, and the possibility to gain valuable life lessons?! Then this is the program for you!! Once a month we will be going on exciting field trips to Skyzone, GoKarting, Stamford Twin Rinks, and The Rock Club. On the weeks we don’t have field trips, we will get two hours of access to the new Intergen space, flex space, and a basketball court. Additionally, we will be working on one community service project a month.

For additional information, contact George Bennett at 203-920-1641. Please see our current brochure for updated session dates, times, and fees.