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 6th12th graders located on the main floor of the Armory at 123 Champlain Ave.
Read on for our April highlights!
OPEN HOURS!!!
. Mondays: 3pm-9pm
Tuesdays: 3pm-9pm
Wednesdays: 3pm-9pm Thursdays 3pm-9pm
Fridays: 3pm-10pm
Saturdays: CLOSED
Sundays: CLOSED
Reach us at:
youthandteenstaff@silverbay.org
GIANT BOWLING PINS
Giant bowling was a fun little expirement we decided to try after using it for the Fall Fest with pumpkins as the bowling balls. Except this time the bowling balls were... you guessed it, the teens! We put those hard heads to good use and had a good game. We all look forward to a repeat performance.
SHAKSHUKA TIME!
Annamae, Our new Youth and Teen Coordinator, brought one of their favorite dishes to life with the help of the teens. Shakshuka is a North African dish, said to have originated in Tunisia, Shakshuka, pronounced ShakSHOO-kah, is made of soft cooked eggs, gently poached or braised in a delicious chunky tomato and bell pepper sauce. The seasoning can vary from one recipe to another, but you’ll often find warm spices like cumin, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes for some heat.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
One of the kids easiest time to shine is during arts and crafts. The teens never seem to amaze us with their artistic abilities, imagination and attention to detail They are honestly extremely talented and that is into their creative bags. This m alloween decorations, pumpkins, w list goes on!
PIEROGI'S!
Our most esteemed guest, The Chef Tony came to teach the teens how to make, one of my personal favorites, Pierogi”s! They are filled dumplings of Polish origin, and are traditionally boiled and often served with butter, onions, and sour cream. We made ours with a side of polish sausages and it was so good! Chef Tony prepped all of the ingredients and of course filled it with cheesy potatoes, because you can never go wrong with cheese. Then the teens, encouraged by sous chef Chet put it all together and they Pierogied to their hearts content!
BAKING
This month “Professional Baker” Annamae made rice crispy treats, apple donuts, cupcakes and popcorn balls. The teens were a huge help and of course ate as much as they baked. Our goal for next month is to out do ourselves. Nothing like warm baked goods to get you through the holidays!
PAINE HALL HAUNTED HOUSE
The Haunted House was a hit this year. The teens who got to participate gave folks a good scare! They debuted in Annamae and Jason’s Creepy Clown room begging for help in the cage. They scared people in the halls kitchen and made sure they were heard stomping around upstairs. The screams were blood curling, the laughs were diabolical and the begging was truly pathetic, it was great!
Folks ran screaming, some crying, and many wanted to come back for seconds, it was a true Spooky Spectacle. I wonder if we can top the scares next year?
SILVER BAY ZOMBIE HIKE
The teens had the opportunity to decay themselves a hundred years and rise up from the surrounding graveyards as the truly dead zombies I aspire to be. They hobbled along the trail in the woods, lunging for terrified guests who shot at them with gel blasters and put on the acts of their lives either dropping like flies or wailing in Undead. They had a blast and so did the guest blasting them. (No children were harmed in the making of the Zombie Walk. Head shots were not allowed.)
PUMPKIN CARVING COMPETITION
In true Halloween Spirit the teens went all in on the contests and competitions this October season! They carved their pumpkins show casing true artistry! Our Winner was Bentley, when he carved out teeth and gave it a stem nose! Honorary shout out to Paisly who made a Vomiting Cat Pumpkin, true genius!
COSTUME MAKING CONTEST
The teens were tasked with making Halloween costumes and they delivered. From Superwoman to Elsa and a truly special appearance from “Old Timey Guy” the Teens were not playing this year. That said a clear winner made himself known, serving Homemade Lord Farquuad, Ryder was the winner of the large bag of Nerd Gummies!
THE HALLOWEEN DANCE!
Smoke rolled across the dance floor as lights flashed in the dimly lit room. Abracadabra by Lady Gaga filled the space as ghosts and ghouls bopped around. The Axe Murderer spun in dizzying circles and Slipknot grooved to the beat.
The teens helped decorate cupcakes for the dance and made a few decorations. They also helped make an unforgettable playlist to dance the night away. The amazing staff did the rest making snacks and punch, spookyfying the gym and of course making the famous selfie wall.
Abby won the costume contest showing out with her Inflatable Dinosaur Soccer Mom look. She brought everything together with pearls and a shawl, truly iconic. All in all the dance was to die for and like a murder of crows the time flew by, as all good festivities do. We are
UPCOMING & UPDATES
Welcome back to another great year, with a great program! Make sure to take full advantage of everything the Teen Center has to offer during these upcoming winter months.
We have a lot we plan to do each month here at the teen center. Some tried and true, that we all love and a whole lot of new as well! Keep up to date and in the know with our monthly calendars.
Next month is Turkey Month, so time to enjoy a meal at Silver Bay that’s all about gratitude, family, community and good eats. Permission slips are available at the Teen center!
You may have noticed a change of staff and we want to acknowledge that. Thank you to Kathleen, Ciaran and Bobby for all that you did for the teen center, you will be missed. Welcome Annamae, Gabbie and Joey to the team and welcome back Jason and Kat!
REGISTER TODAY!
Register for the Teen Center Today: https://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessionDetail.aspx? idCamp=1431&idSession=532759&campCode=EBJ OR BY SCANNING THE QR CODE:
