Beyond Friday
If you can dream it, you can do it!
Expanding the possibilities of mentoring...
 There are a ton of cool things you and your partner can do above and beyond the usual Friday DREAM activities. This is a chance to expand your relationship with your children and their families, explore your partner's interests more in-depth, or even get your partner involved in things they would not try otherwise. The overall goal is to help you engage in activities over an extended period of time and to gain new knowledge and skills in the process.
To this end, many of the local programs have money in their budgets that can be spent in constructive ways in support of your partner outside of Friday. If you have an idea, or see something here you would like to try, ask your treasurer if there are funds available to support you!
Note: Many of the resources and ideas below are in the Burlington area (we're working on expanding that!), but often times there are plenty of similar opportunities in areas closer to you.
Get Involved with Your Child's Family!
- Meet the parents
- One of the most critical aspects of being a successful mentor for your child is to get to know his or her parents and guardians. This will help in so many ways, they can't all be listed here. Primarily, it will help build trust and understanding, and will facilitate better communication for everyone involved. Sometimes it's hard to stay in constant contact with the family, but you should definitely strive to meet your child's family face to face, and talk with them on the phone every once in a while to keep up with important info about what your child is up to outside of DREAM.
- Hang out with the family
- Have a BBQ with the parents, children, and their mentors at your child's house.
- Go with the family to watch your child play on a sports team.
- Help your child's family prepare dinner one night and eat over.
- Let your child give you a tour of their room and show you their hobbies and collections.
- Attend a family event like a wedding, a graduation, a birthday, etc.
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Activism & Organizing
- Write
- Take on a cause
- Identify a need in your community and figure out a solution
- Organize a community event
- Start an organization
- Get involved in your local government
- Research political affairs
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Art
- Classes
- Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts has classes for a broad age range in many different media. Classes are in sessions: painting, drawing, print making, sculpture, multi-media, photography, creative writing... Check it out!
Prices are reasonable
www.burlingtoncityarts.com (look under firehouse center for the visual arts)
Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts
135 Church Street, Burlington (next to City Hall)
802-865-7166
- Studio Use
- Firehouse Community Dark Room is a state-of-the-art black and white darkroom at the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts.
www.burlingtoncityarts.com
Membership fees: Monthly $10, Three Months $25, Year $95
Hourly rate of $6 per hour applies to all levels of membership; membership required to use
Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts,
135 Church Street, Burlington (next to City Hall)
802-865-7161
- Print Studio, explore a variety of printmaking methods including linoleum cuts, etching, lithography, monotypes and more. Beginner and advanced classes. Interact with emerging and established artists.
www.burlingtoncityarts.com
Cost: $195 for 3 months
250 Main Street, Memorial Auditorium
802-865-7595
- General Art Ideas
- Photography: take a class or do it yourself with your partner. Pick a theme and make a photo essay. Get books from the library.
- Young people team up with older artists for a mentoring type relationship
www.burlingtoncityarts.com
- Get Recycled Art: materials to make new art! Artcycle, a joint effort between Burlington City Arts and Recycle North, is dedicated to the reuse and resale of art materials at affordable prices. Recyclable art making materials are gathered from individuals and businesses through donations and are made available for a nominal fee per bag-full in the Artcycle section of ReCycle North. Many of these items were destined for the landfill and instead have seen new life through their re-use in various creative endeavors.
www.burlingtoncityarts.com
ReCycle North
266 Pine Street, Burlington
802-658-4143
- Knitting: www.learntoknit.com directions, patterns and ideas, or go to the library and get some books, spend some money on quality yarn and needles.
- Quilting: get books form the library, or find someone who is willing to teach you. Use internet as back up when you get stuck.
- Crocheting: www.learntoknit.com directions, patterns and ideas, or go to the library and get some books.
- Origami: www.origami.com or www.paperfolding.com
- Beading: www.beadiefriends.com patterns, instructions, supplies and links.
- Sell your work at a local artist’s cooperative. Start up your own entrepreneur venture!
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Athletics & Sports
- Basketball
- Winooski Youth Basketball is a program that combines skill development and game play to youth in grades 2-5. Each Saturday morning session is broken down into two parts. The first part works on individual skill development. Participants will learn new skills progressively in this 8-week program. The 8 weeks will also offer games, so participants can gain insight and experience into team concepts and strategies of basketball. Having fun and parental support are key elements to the success of this program.
Cost is $20.00/individual - $25.00/family
Volunteer League Organizer, Roger Morse 802-655-1158
- Bitty Basketball through Greater Burlington YMCA
www.gbymca.org
Sundays 1:30-2:30 pm $64 non-member $32 member (5 and 6 year olds)
266 College St., Burlington, VT
802-862-9622
- Dance
- Beginner Ballet, Jazz, and Belly Dancing at the YMCA
www.gbymca.org
Ages 5 - 8 years without parent. Introduction to structured dance using music, scarves, ribbon wands, and inventive games to promote rhythm, coordination and balance.
Saturdays 1:15 - 2 pm
$64 ($32 for members)
266 College St., Burlington, VT
802-862-9622
- Flynn Theater
www.flynntheater.org
Dance and theater classes for reasonable prices
153 Main Street, Burlington, VT
802-652-4500
- Movement Center
www.movementcentervtVT.com
Lots of dance classes and gymnastics classes.
Cost: Movement Center registration fee plus $48 per month for one class a week
6 Mores Drive, Essex Junction, VT
802-878-4231
- Gymnastics
- Greater Burlington YMCA
www.gbymca.org
Beginner Gymnastics Saturdays 11-40-12:30
$70 non member / $35 member
266 College St., Burlington
802-862-9622
- Green Mountain Gymnastics
http://gmgymnastics.tripod.com
$50 for four weeks many different classes for all ages and levels
240 Pioneer Drive, Williston, VT
802-652-2454
- Horseback Riding
- Maple Corner Farm
Laid back place, happy to have kids come visit farm if they want (20 horses plus ducks, cats, and dogs). Has foster kids and thinks it is a great place for kids. Just give a call first.
Cost: $20 for thirty minute lesson
4 Nashville Rd., Jericho, VT
802-899-2339
- Fox Horn Farm
English once a week, 1/2 hour on horse, 1/2 hour horse care
Cost $30 for an hour
3022 Spear, Charlotte, VT
802-452-5219
- Imajca
Cost: 30 for 1/2 hour private lesson
Williston, VT
802-660-0401
- Ice Skating
- Douglas C. Cairns Arena
Public Skate Sunday 1:00-2:30
Cost: age 6-17 $3, $4 for adults, $3 for skate rentals
South Burlington, VT
802-658-5577
- Essex Junction Skating Facility
Public Skating Sunday 2:00-5:30
$2 students, $2.50 adult, $3 rental
Lessons: $68 for seven weeks. Rental $5 for all seven weeks (Wednesdays and Thursdays)
Essex Junction, VT
802-878-1394
- Gutterson Field House at University of Vermont
Burlington, VT
- Leddy Arena
216 Leddy Road, Burlington, VT
802.865.7558
- Martial Arts
- Aikido of Champlain Valley
www.AikidovtVT.com
Very cool, uses conflict resolution/resolving conflict nonviolently, interested in working with low income youth. Two classes a week plus open time, $50 per month membership fee (there are two classes a week plus open time) encouraged to stay for three months but willing to work with financial situations. Tell them you are from DREAM
$50 per month membership fee
257 Pine St., Burlington, VT
802-951-8900
- Blue Wave Tae Kwon Do
www.bluewavetkd.com
Sat am class for 5-9 year olds, intro, then family class, ten week session, $100 including uniform. Mondays and Thursdays 10 and up come to classes during week. $180 three months… Willing to work with financial situations so tell them you are from DREAM and see what you can work out
182 Main Street (3rd floor), Burlington, VT
802-658-3359
- Dion's Tae Kwon Do- 802-860-6312
- Kojo Academy of Tae Kwon Do- 802-860-0661
- Karate at the YMCA 12 and up
- Kick Boxing at the YMCA- 13 and up Mondays 7:30-8:45pm $64
- Moo Gong Do- 802-864-9985
- Marschke's Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, and Aiki-Jutsu- 802-863-8441
- Rock Climbing
- PETRA Climbing club
www.petracliffs.com
Climb with your mentor? $12 for a student. $3 for harness. Must know how to Belay. $5 for a belay lesson. Friday night kids club: Fridays, 6-9 p.m. $25, includes all equipment. Pre-registration is required. Parents enjoy a Friday evening out while your kids climb the walls and play on the ropes course with Petra Cliffs staff. Many options for climbing particularly if kid and mentor want to do it together.
Petra Cliffs Climbing Center
105 Briggs St., Burlington, VT
802-65-PETRA
- Climb High
www.climbhigh.com
Intro Climbing for Youth: Ages 5-12. Every other Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m Free. Pre-register or call for details. An introduction to climbing in a no-pressure environment on Climb High’s natural climbing wall. Fun for anyone curious about rock climbing.
2438 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, VT
802-985-5055
- Sailing
- Burlington Sailing Center
- Soccer
- Bitty Soccer through Greater Burlington YMCA
www.gbymca.org
Sundays 1:30-2:30 pm $64 non-member $32 member (5 and 6 year olds)
266 College St., Burlington, VT
802-862-9622
- Swimming
- Youth Swimming lessons at Greater Burlington YMCA
www.gbymca.org
Cost: $84 for a session (six weeks) without membership $42 with.
266 College St., Burlington, VT
802-862-9622
- Teen Swim at Greater Burlington YMCA
www.gbymca.org
Program pool is reserved for teens every Friday night from 8 to 9:45 pm. No registration is needed. Cost is $2 (Facility members are free).
266 College St., Burlington, VT
802-862-9622
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Home & Life Skills
- First Aid
- American Red Cross
www.nvtVTredcross.org
Take a first aid or Red Cross skills course, even a babysitting course.
Cost: Under $100, price depends on class
American Red Cross Northern Vermont Chapter
29 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, VT
802-660-9130
- Gardening
- Community gardens
www.burlingtongardens.org/
Get involved in a youth garden and youth programs through Burlington Parks and Rec. Youth Plots are only $15 for the year, so you could also spend money on seeds and supplies etc!
Burlington Parks and Rec Office
645 Pine Street, Burlington, VT
802-864-0123
- Work on a Farm
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Music
- Learn to Play an Instrument
- Rentals
- Burlington Violin
Rentals: Violin $15 per month, Cellos $35 per month, Violas also available. Credit card needed for security, has a list of teachers.
200 Main Street, Burlington, VT
802-862-0349
- Ellis Music Co Inc
Rents a wide variety of instruments, the only place that rents instruments other than Stringed Instruments (though they rent those as well). Cost: call for details on desired instrument
Bethel, VT
802-234-6400
- Other Music Ideas
- Start a band
- Singing lessons
- Join a Choir or Chorus
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Volunteer Opportunities
- LIT (Leaders In Training) at Greater Burlington YMCA
www.gbymca.org
Formerly the CIT program, the LIT program provides the opportunity for responsible and caring 13-15 year olds to be Leaders in Training at YMCA after-school programs. Teens can participate 2-5 days a week at an after-school program site in Burlington and many other towns throughout Chittenden County. LITs have a role in planning and implementing programs in an after-school environment, while learning important leadership and life skills. The LIT program is a service program for younger teens who want to be good role models for kids, build work experience and have fun!
266 College St., Burlington VT
802-862-9622
- United Way
www.unitedwaycc.org
Great volunteer resources for youth. There are minimum age requirements for many, but I'd say if your kid really wants to do something, then ask anyway.
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Youth Facilities
- 242 Main
www.242main.com
242 Main is a substance free youth run facility that provides a safe environment and resources to foster music activism and arts. 242 strives to do the following: Achieve Diversity in areas such as music, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and class; Be affordable; Provide music and live entertainment; Be available for activities for anyone; Have a proactive relationship with Law enforcement; Be conducive to multiple activities simultaneously; Give priority to youth; Network with the community
The 242 Programming board meets every month to develop programs. The public is invited to attend and offer any thoughts on any variety of meetings, classes and events that can take place at 242 Main.
242 Main is located in Memorial Auditorium in downtown Burlington.
For more information call Richard Bailey at 862-2244
- Winooski Armory
The armory in Winooski is open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to older kids and their mentors. There is a pool table and basket ball hoops. It is located on Lafountian St in Winooski
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Other Ideas
- Circus Classes through Circus Smirkus
www.smirkus.org
Tons of Circus classes in Essex! Most are a little pricey, but I think well worth it. Beginning classes are around $180. Check them out on the web! In the summer they have a traveling kids Circus that is amazing!
5 New England Drive, Essex, VT
802-533-7443
- Learn sign language
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