Girls Incorporated of the Berkshires offers a unique program for preteen and teen girls who may be too old for traditional child care programs. Supervised by trained staff, girls in middle and high school can take place in programs every afternoon during the school year from 2:30-5. A snack is offered and a structured program (such as chorus, theatre, tutoring, recreational activities) takes place between 4-5. Pickup is at 5:00. This program is $7.00/day.
Some evening programs are offered (leadership/mentoring and self-defense programs). Evening programs may have additional fees and include dinner. The program does not operate on half days, vacation and snow days and follows the Pittsfield Public School Calendar.
Girls Arrival/Teen Room/ Snack
Girls will spend time in the teen room adjacent to the staff office. Girls are highly encouraged to take the opportunity to complete their homework during this time. Activity options include homework, watching movies, playing games and simple arts and crafts projects. An afternoon snack will be given to girls that arrive before 4:00.
2. Word Street Tutoring is a literary arts center that helps children with their literacy skills. Professional tutors are meeting with the girls weekly for two hours each Thursday to help them with their reading and writing skills. Girls that participate must take part in the entire program weekly, agree to progress evaluations and sign a consent to obtain a copy of their report cards and to talk with their school teachers or other school personnel.
3. Girls Inc. Discovery Leadership®for Girls and Women
This program partners girls and women in community action projects with women mentors. This program also enables girls to recognize themselves as leaders and to understand their rights and responsibilities to feel empowered and responsible for social change by taking part in a community service project. Dinner is a part of this program. This program is closed and not open for referrals or new participants.
5. Theatre Program is a coed program for girls and boys ages 8-16. KidsAct! Theatre Program is a theatre program for children ages 8-16. Theatre professionals work with youth on improvisational skills, theatre games, character studies, monologue and scene work, movement, stage combat, mask and mime, and vocal training. The philosophy of the program is not only to develop acting skills but also to develop self-esteem and to awaken each child's creativity. The program concludes with a performance of an original theatre performance conceived, written and performed by the participants. Participants will also be utilizing the work they have created in the tutoring program as part of this program.
6. Chorus Program in collaboration with the Berkshire music School a children’s chorus will be started. For youth ages 8-13 years of age. A holiday concert will take place in December
7. Living Safe and Strong is a violence-prevention and personal safety program for girls ages 12-14 that address the individual girl within the context of the larger community and societal issues. This program engages girls in awareness, discovery, reflection and action on violence issues in their lives; increased knowledge of and familiarity with community resources; and advocacy around female violence prevention. Dinner is part of this program.
Click here to view press release.
8. Girls Study Girls Inc. is a participatory evaluation project that engages girls ages 12 to 18 as evaluators in exploring the meaning and impact of Girls Inc from its participants’ perspective. Girls will use digital photography and interviews with Girls Inc members and staff to collect data. Girls will analyze the data they collect and conclude the project with a PowerPoint Presentation to peers, Board of Directors, community members, or whomever they decide to present their findings to.
9. Recreational Activities This program will take place at times when a program is not operating due to staffing shortages or delayed startup dates. Staff will plan an activity for girls to take part in on that day.
Program Fees are as follows:
- $7.00/day for all afternoon programs.
(Discovery are closed referral programs and not open for new referrals at this time.)
- Living Safe and Strong has additional fees:
$250, for girls that attend teen afternoon programs at least 1 or more days per week.
$300 for girls that only attend the Living Safe and Strong program.
The payment for this program is split into 2 payments, billable at the beginning of each session.
Contact: Christa Collier at 442.5174 ext 16 or Kristen Shepardson at 442.5174 ext 15 to register for these programs.
