JYM Program for 2025 Sessions
Welcome, rising kindergarten through rising sixth-grade children and families!
We happily anticipate meeting and greeting each of you at Sessions! We are honored to minister to the children in this program and have worked hard to prepare for our time together. Our goal is to create a safe, joyful and loving community and an enriching environment for each child and staff member. We will be exploring what it means to be in community through various activities and projects. We’ll celebrate with singing, art and crafts, storytelling, nature walks, games, worship, discussions, group projects, Quaker process and by having lots of fun together! Parents/guardians are invited to visit our JYM community during the week.
What to Expect at JYM Sessions
JYM mornings are content-rich. Everyone gathers for singing, worship, “Mindful 10 Minutes,” and announcements. Children and staff then transition to their individual grade groups for more intimate opportunities to play, work on special projects, interact with visitors, and build or renew warm friendships with other Quaker children and loving adult staff.
Our afternoons offer a variety of quiet and active options across grade groups, providing opportunities for creativity, relaxation, fun, and more small group connections. JYMers Kindergarten through third-graders do spend time in their own grade-level group during the afternoons. Rest time is built into the afternoon for everyone, allowing time to recharge for the rest of the day. Some families choose to do other things together for some or all of the afternoon blocks of time. Our afternoon programming has evolved over the years, but our staff’s intention is always to provide loving presence and engagement for the children in our care who are with us.
JYM Schedule
Below is a tentative schedule. Copies will be available when you check-in to your dorm at UMass registration, and the Info Desk, and in theJYM program space.
Where
Our home base is the first floor of the Campus Center. Specific meeting room locations and details will be available in the “JYM Program” brochure.
How Parents Can Help
- JYM Children aged K-6 need to be signed in and out of each program time by a parent, sponsor, guardian, or other specifically designated adult. Since we’re a part of a new campus this year children entering 6th grade will no longer have permission to sign themselves in or out.
- Please respect the opening and closing times of our program so that our staff can also get to meals, staff meetings, their own families, or to take a nap (as they get tired too)!
- We ask all parents and assigned pick-up and drop-off persons to leave phones on (but silenced) while their children are in program so that we can reach you if necessary.
- Snacks are provided both mornings and afternoons.
- If you would like your child to wear sunscreen during outside times, please apply it before program.
- We will be spending as much time as possible outside. A raincoat (or something suitable) will be very helpful on rainy days.
Covid Safety/Sick Children
The Yearly eeting staff and other Friends planning Sessions are taking everyone’s health and safety very seriously. For example, a child who shows symptoms of Covid (or other illness) will not be able to attend until they are symptom-free for 24 hours. Here is a link to the Yearly Meeting policy.
Do not hesitate to ask us questions, or share your concerns. Our mission is to straddle a line that does all we can to ensure children’s health and safety while also providing a safe, joyful, and loving experience for all, this is our mission!
Families are Welcome to Say Hello
Parents, grandparents, and sponsors are welcome to come to the beginning or end of our program time to introduce themselves and see our program spaces on Saturday or Sunday. Families are especially welcome to join us for vespers.
Be in touch
Your questions or concerns are important. Help us know how to best support your child in having a joyful week with us!
Kenzie Burpee, [email protected] or cell phone 774-217-0623
Meet Kenzie Burpee, Our JYM Sessions Coordinator
I’m Kenzie (they/them), the returning JYM coordinator for Yearly Meeting Sessions. I feel so led to do this work and to help make this year a time for rejoicing and togetherness. I've been coming to Sessions my whole life! I grew up in JYM and began junior staffing JYM Retreats when I was in 8th grade. I’m looking forward to continuing working with NEYM in my 4th year as JYM Sessions Coordinator.
File Downloads
This is a tentative schedule. Copies will be available when you check-in to your dorm at UMass registration, and the Info Desk, and in theJYM program space.