Rye's Together: The Power of Connection
Connection is crucial for kids as it supports their emotional well-being, helps them develop empathy, and fosters healthier relationships, that is why were excited to be working with IRL to present a week of unplugged presence highlighting local nonprofits that will engage families in community-based connection and in-person experiences. All events are drop-in from 4:30-6:00 PM, the schedule is as follows:
Monday: Rye Free Reading Room
Board games, card games, and more - bring the whole family for an evening of games and strategy. Come one, come all! All ages are welcome to attend. Let the games begin!
Tuesday: Rye Nature Center
Join us for a sensory hike around the forest and discover nature in a whole new way by engaging all five senses. Bring your curiosity and sense of adventure. All ages are welcome to explore, connect, and enjoy the outdoors together. See you on the trails!
Wednesday: Rye Arts center
Unplug, unwind, and get creative! Join fellow families and community members in our spacious drawing studio for an afternoon of still life exploration. Practice composition and shading as you sketch a variety of objects, or let your imagination guide you with pencils, oil pastels, or watercolors. Teaching artist Jack Hopkins will be on hand to offer guidance, tips, and inspiration as you bring your artwork to life.
Thursday: Rye YMCA
For Ages 6- 9: Enjoy a 30-minute Family CrossFit Class. This class features fun and challenging intervals of cardio & strength exercises. Sneakers required.
For Ages 10-14: Sweat it out in a 30-minute Family Rhythm & Reps Cycling class. It's a full-body rhythm ride that keeps the energy high from start to finish! Rhythm and Reps is the perfect mix of cardio and strength! Sneakers required.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification for Adults
This Certification course for adults teaches how to recognize and respond to emerging mental health and substance use challenges in crisis and non-crisis situations, This is for ANY adult who interacts with adolescents and teens.
This course is offered several times each year. Register here for the upcoming session on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025.
RYC 7th Annual Rainbow Run
Purchase your tickets today for the 2025 RYC Rainbow Run!
This year's run takes place on Veterans Day -- which means students from our local private schools can attend, too! We've also added an afternoon fun run JUST for kids in grades 6-8.
Festivities will be held at Rye Town Park. Be sure to register your child for the corresponding run based on their age group: students in grades K-5 will be participating in the morning fun run from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m.; and students in grades 6-8 will be participating in the afternoon run from 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Mastering the Transition to Middle School - 6th Grade Group Couseling
6th grade students will meet for six Mondays (9/29 - 11/10) from 3:30 - 4:30 pm at the RYC offices in the Rye YMCA to learn skills supporting their social and emotional transition to middle school. This will be a fun experience and snacks will be provided!
Student Skills-Building Summer Groups
Three different summer Skills-building groups for middle school, high school, and college students. Each group meets weekly for 6 weeks from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Learn more here.
Inside Scoop to the Middle School Transition
Rising 6th graders and parents/guardians: join us to hear from a panel of middle school students who will share their experiences and advice about their transition to middle school. Topics include changing friendships, navigating hallways, homework, and more! Once the student panel is done, the 5th graders will move rooms and meet with the middle schoolers to ask whatever questions they have! Parents of the panelists will take the stage to answer parent to parent questions and concerns about this big transition. Register to attend here.
2025 Help Helps Soiree
Please join us on Thursday, April 24th, from 7:00 - 10:00 pm, for a fun and festive evening to support Rye Youth Council and its mission to promote youth mental health and wellness.
Enjoy bountiful hors d'oeuvres, a buffet dinner and dessert, open bar, music, and opportunities to learn about our programs and support services that elevate youth mental well-being.
In the months before his retirement, we are honored to celebrate Dr. Eric Byrne and his legacy of strengthening the support our children's social, emotional, and mental health.
Unlock the Leader in You
Rye Youth Council Inc - Unlocking the Leader in You
Three mornings of active play, interactive games, and fun to learn key leadership skills and Unlock Your Leadership Potential!
Middle School Students -
Back for the 2nd year!
Students, put your February Break to good use and join us to Unlock Your Leadership Potential! Each day, Tuesday, Feb 18-Thursday, Feb 21 from 10 am-12pm, learn leadership skills like confidence, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and more, all through active play, interactive games, and fun!
“The activities we did were both interesting and enjoyable. I learned how to work with others as a team and listen to other people’s ideas. and, it was a lot of fun!” — Walt, 2024 attendee
Managing Your Child's Behavior
This workshop is for any parent who wants to better understand what’s behind their child’s behavior, including:
How to build healthy communication with your child
Developmentally appropriate interventions and consequences
Skills to foster independent decision making
Tips on how to manage common, challenging behaviors
Managing Your Child's Behavior
This workshop is for any parent who wants to better understand what’s behind their child’s behavior, and gain skills and strategies toward better behavior, including:
How to build healthy communication with your child
Developmentally appropriate interventions and consequences
Skills to foster independent decision making
Tips on how to manage common, challenging behaviors
So Now You Have a Cell Phone. . .
Rye Youth Council invites parents/guardians and kids in grades 4-7 to join us for an interactive and informative evening to learn how cell phones affect our brain chemistry. We will discuss the safe and responsible use of cell phones and social media, and will offer family contracts and other suggestions to help parents set their kids up for success . . . and safety. The evening will be facilitated by Lisa Weinman, M.Ed.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Course for Adults
This adult certification course includes 2 hours of online pre-work and an instructor-led 6-hour in-person class. It will help you recognize and respond to a young person who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or disorder, and will teach you how to approach the youth and connect them to appropriate care.
Go You!
Alternative Device Fair
Just in time for Black Friday, this is some of the most important shopping you’ve been meaning to check off your list! Before the holidays (or for down the road when it's time), stop by the Alternative Device Fair to learn about various kid-safe devices before defaulting to an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Talk with representatives who will be on hand to answer your questions and help you determine which device is best for your family among the following phones and watches:
- Gabb
- Pinwheel
- Lightphone
- Wisephone
- Bark
- Troomi
Teen Volunteers Needed This Thursday
RYC Seeks Teen Volunteers!
RYC is looking for a small group of students to spend about 90 minutes assembling packs of Gratitude Cards. This will be a fun opportunity to earn community service hours.
Register Here: Rye is BETTER TOGETHER: Help the RYC Assemble Gratitude Challenge Packs
Behind the Screens
Not sure what all the fuss is about or just want to be better prepared for what lies ahead for your younger child? Join Rye Youth Council and IRL for a panel presentation and a “behind the screens” perspective on what’s going on right here in our community. Moderated by Titania Jordan, Chief Parenting Office & CMO of Bark. RSVP HERE
6th Annual RYC Rainbow Run
This is the event of the year for kids in grades K-6! Join us on Tuesday, November 5th, for the 6th annul RYC Rainbow Run, an exceptionally fun experience for all!
Volunteer at the Rainbow Run
Spend the morning at Rye Town Park volunteering for the RYC Rainbow Run. Be a part of ensuring students grades K-6 have an awesome day by: setting and cleaning up the day's event, prepping fun gear for them to rock throughout the day, dousing them with colorful powder, getting kids organized and hyped up to run, and acting as a course buddy, running along side them!
This will be a fun volunteer opportunity and you will earn COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS.
Help Prep for the Rainbow Run - Fun volunteer opportunity for students grades K-12
Students Grades K-12: Help Prep for the RYC Rainbow Run
Students - Gather your friends and help RYC get ready for the Rainbow Run! Volunteers will stuff bags with colorful powder, rainbow glasses and masks; create notecards for Rainbow Run participants; place stickers on race packets, and a host of other helpful activities.
Join us in the big room at Rye Presbyterian Church for fun and community service. Students in grades K-4 are welcome to attend with an adult, and students in grades 5-12 can attend independently. Community service hours will be earned and Pizza and Snacks will be served!
There are two time slots based on grades:
4-5:30 pm for kids in grades K-12
5:30-7:30 pm for kids in grades 7-12
