PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 16, 2016
PREPARED BY: Jennie Tucker, Community Services Supervisor
APPROVED BY: Chris Ghione, Community Services Director
Title
MORGAN HILL RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION YOUTH AND TEEN REPORT
RECOMMENDATION
Receive report on youth and teen activities and services provided by the Recreation and Community Services Division
BODY
REPORT NARRATIVE:
The Recreation and Community Services Division strives to enhance the community’s quality of life, public safety, and economy by providing high quality and diverse program opportunities for all ages. This written report is intended to give a brief overview of the services the Division provides to the youth and teens in the community. All programs offered to youth exemplify the 41 “Developmental Assets” that have a proven relationship to healthy youth development. The “Developmental Assets” are an integral part of all of the programs and services the Division provides.
Preschool
The Recreation Division offers a play-based preschool located at the Community and Cultural Center. Program goals are to provide students with social and academic skills to prepare children for Kindergarten. There are three different class options, based on age and days of the week desired. The new school year begins on September 6th and currently all three preschool classes are full with a total of 68 students.
Youth Contract Classes
Three times a year the Division distributes an Activity Guide to all Morgan Hill residents that contain seasonal classes and programs. There are currently twenty different contract instructors that offer a variety of classes to the community:
• Art
• Karate
• Soccer
• Golf
• Tennis
• Basketball
• Ballet
• Hip Hop
• Lego Robotics
• Science
• Animation
• Indoor Soccer (Futsal)
Teens
Teen Center
Representing a partnership between the City of Morgan Hill and the Mt. Madonna YMCA, the Centennial Recreation Teen Center offers a safe and engaging environment for teens to make friends, participate in fun programs and activities, or just have a place to spend with their peers. Membership is free to all Morgan Hill teens age 12-18 and non-residents only pay $10 for the year. Monthly and weekly activities are scheduled throughout the year.
Youth Action Council (YAC)
The Youth Action Council (YAC) is a group of teen leaders age 13-18 who voice the opinion of teens within the community and help organize and participate in local events. Potential YAC students go through an interview process and a weeklong leadership training during the summer. The leadership training (Youth Leadership Morgan Hill-YLMH) and YAC are both open to all teens 13-18 and give teens a sense of empowerment and a chance to contribute and serve the community. The 2016-2017 Youth Action Council has 26 teens that are all eager to start their term!
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