Here we go! February is the shortest month of the year, but maybe that extra day tagged on is the reason why we have so many awesome programs starting up. Take a look and what is up and coming for young people, including opportunities for February Vacation Week, as well as the first annual Galentine's Day! 

Galentine's Day  conference for middle schoolers to come together to support each other and build their personal networks. Workshops on self care, quilting, personal branding, zumba and more. Hosted by Youth Connectors!

• Who: middle school aged girls and those who identify with girlhood.
• When: Saturday, February 22nd 10-5pm
• Where: Google Cambridge 90 Broadway
• For registration info: contact Dami or Medjine

CYP Challenge Week! Display your skills in various athletic, trivia, minute to win it challenges and win points for your team! Fun field trips included. Application deadline is February 12th

• Who: 6-8th graders who are Cambridge residents. Non CYP members welcome*.
• When: February18 - 21st, 9:00am -6pm
• Where: Gately and Frisoli youth centers
• Cost: $50 (must be paid at time of registration)

* For non CYP members, application deadline is Feb. 5th

Maud Morgan AmaZINE Prints! students will use printmaking techniques to make an edition of zines using a variety of media. No experience necessary.

• Who: Grades 5 – 8
• When:  February 18 – 21, 1:30-5:30pm
• Where: Maud Morgan 20A Sacramento Street 
• Cost: $325 for the week
  ​
  

Improv Boston Comedy Vacation Program  fun and supportive environment within which students can explore and develop comedy improv. No experience necessary.

• Who: Middle schoolers ages 11-14
• When: February 17-21 10am-3pm (extended day available)
• Where: 40 Prospect Street
• Cost: $375 for the week

Parkour Clinic at Brooklyn Boulders a week of parkour and rock climbing

• Who: Middle schoolers
• When: February 17- 21 9am - 3:30pm
• Where: Brooklyn Boulders Somerville 12A Tyler Street, Somerville, MA 02143

All City Drumline no experience required

• Who:  Cambridge Middle School girls
• When: Wednesdays 3:30-4:45pm @ CRLS 
• To register: email [email protected]

Indoor Soccer   Free pick-up soccer games. Players can come as often as they wish.

• Who:  All current USL players or 6th, 7th & 8th graders who wish to join the USL in spring are welcome. 
• When:  Dec. 5th- March 26th, Thursdays, 6-8pm
• Where: Graham & Parks School gym. 

Snow Shoveling Young people who are interested in earning some extra money are matched with seniors and persons with disabilities who need assistance clearing snow from their property.

• Who: 7th & 8th graders can still sign 
• To apply: complete application and return to Council on Aging (806 Mass Ave.) or OWD (51 Inman Street, first floor). 

Bridging the Gap Free12 week middle school life skills program. Participants earn a laptop at the end of program.

• Who: For middle school students who may be struggling with behavior, academics, self-esteem, communication and anger management.
• When: Mondays and Wednesdays 4-6:30
• Where: The Salvation Army 402 Mass Ave.
• To apply: Contact Amanda Chen
  ​
  

Robots that Make a Difference: Introduces students to the world of robotics using a
humanities first approach. Then build robotic prototypes to address problems.

• Who: Open to students grades 7-8 
• When: January 14 - April 14 on Tuesdays, 3:30-5:45pm 
• Where: Cambridge Public Library Valente Branch 826 Cambridge Street
• To register: bit.ly/ifprobotics19-20
  
  

Art, Music, Movies & Making: Students learn to dream, design and make (almost) anything with digital fabrication tools including 3D-printers, laser cutters and more.

• Who: Open to students grades 7-8
• When:January 22 - March 25 2020 on Wednesdays 3:30pm - 6:30pm
• Where: Cambridge Public Library  Main Branch 449 Broadway
• To register:  bit.ly/ifpammm19-20

Thank you to those who attended the meeting on Wednesday, January 8th. If the conversation in that room at the Moses Youth Center is any indication of how the year will go, the future of 2020 sure looks bright.

We used our time together to pause, reflect, and take a look back at our personal experiences in school to begin to build empathy for the experiences our young people are facing now. We started the meeting by looking at the Agenda for Children OST recommended Ways of Being. If you've been looking for staff meeting agreements, we highly suggest using these as a way to practice anti-racism through our relationships.

We explored the question: What is an experience in your life as a student/scholar that has had an effect on the way you view, experience and live your life as a racialized human being?  The courage in that room from folks to reach back and look at (sometimes painful) past experiences is a crticial part of the antiracist work we need to be doing to leave a (more) just and peaceful world for our young people.

So now what? Here are some next steps you can take for yourself and on-site to continue this work: