New Programs for Middle School Students Start Sept 9 at The Depot Youth Center

The Depot Youth Center is starting several new programs specifically for middle school students — one for girls, another for boys, one to promote offline activities and another to promote a sense of community and teamwork.

— an announcement (lightly edited) from the The Depot Youth Center

Since receiving a grant from the Darien Foundation in 2019, The Depot’s middle school programs have continued to see increases in participation, and program offerings continue to evolve based on feedback from Darien’s tweens and teens.

All Depot initiatives are set to foster personal growth, enhance social skills, and encourage community involvement among young people. Each program is thoughtfully crafted to meet the diverse needs and interests of today’s youth.

The New Programs Launching This Fall

The Depot Youth Center is expanding its middle school offerings with the following engaging programs:

• Girls &  — In this inspiring series of workshops, girls and women’s leadership advocate and best-selling author Joan Kuhl, a Darien resident, will guide tween girls through a transformative journey focused on three crucial building blocks: confidence, ambition, and compassion. This monthly workshop will provide a hands-on, radical approach to help middle school girls strengthen their self-worth while maintaining their true selves.

• Causeway Connections — Tailored for middle school boys, Causeway Connections is a bi-weekly group led by experts from the Causeway Collaborative. This program will address mentoring, social skills development, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships. With a proven track record of supporting young men’s social and emotional needs, the Causeway Collaborative has been a trusted resource in Fairfield County for over 13 years.

• Disconnect to Connect — Embracing a tech-free lifestyle, Disconnect to Connect invites students to experience the joys of offline activities. Participants will enjoy board games, outdoor play, and crafts, as well as implementing ideas from program members, providing a chance to truly connect with peers without the distraction of phones or tablets. In addition to a middle school session, a session just for Darien’s 5th Graders will also be offered.

• VolunTWEENS — Designed to instill a sense of community and teamwork, VolunTWEENS is a bi-monthly program that combines team-building activities, educational segments on community needs, and hands-on service projects. Facilitated by Emily Larkin, former program director of Thriving Youth Darien, and a team of high school leaders from The Depot, this program will also introduce middle school students to The Depot’s high school clubs, offering valuable mentorship and leadership opportunities.

Along with the new programs, The Depot’s popular DropZone and Friday Tribe programs, as well as the Garden Club, the Murder Mystery Club, Lighthouse and The Challenge will all be returning for the 2024/2025 school year. Descriptions of all programs can be found on the website.

Enriching Young Lives

“The introduction of these new programs reflects our dedication to meeting the diverse needs of Darien’s tweens at this critical point in their social and emotional development,” said Amy Daniels, executive director of The Depot Youth Center.

“We are excited to offer these opportunities for personal growth, community engagement, and genuine connection,” Daniels said. “As importantly, we hope Darien’s tweens come to The Depot to have fun! To laugh, run, play, and be silly!”

Depot Clubs for High School Students

In addition to middle school programs, The Depot’s clubs for Darien’s high school students will be back, also starting the week of Sept. 9. Offering educational, community service, and leadership and mentoring opportunities, all of The Depot’s clubs are run by student leaders and facilitated by Program Director James Lucchesi.

The 2024/2025 Depot High School Clubs include: 

• empowHER

• Helping Hands (and Paws!)

• SADD: Students Against Destructive Decisions

• SGB: Student Governing Board

• Smiles for Seniors

• SLOD: Student League of Darien

• Volunteer Club

If You’re Enrolling …

All programs and clubs commence the week of Sept. 9, 2024, and registration is now live on The Depot website.

Programs will run through the 2024/2025 school year. All Depot middle school programs and high school clubs cost $150 for the school year but are always free of charge to those requiring financial assistance. Parents requiring financial assistance can register confidentially through The Depot’s Scholarship Form.

Also Coming Up at The Depot

You can register now: