Myth #1: DSU After School Program is glorified babysitting
The DSU after school program is for the active kid who wants to learn a new skill, play sports for the love of the game, showcase a talent or find a new passion, develop strong relationships with peers and adults, give back to the community, and help others. DSU gives kids the sense of independence they desire, all in a safe location, with adult engagement and supervision.
Myth #2 DSU Staff is comprised of high school kids
DSU employs paid adult staff who run our after school programs. They encourage, empower and engage youth through creative and unique daily activities. Our staff is comprised of energetic adults dedicated to youth development including coaches, mentors, tutors, church and community leaders, artists, musicians, and trained camp counselors. To learn more about our talented staff, see pictures and bios.
Myth #3 DSU After School Programs are only for working parents
How many times have we heard: “I love DSU but I don’t work so I don’t need the after school program.” DSU after school programs offer all families a place to broaden their child’s afternoon experience in one location without expensive activity fees, carpooling and daily play dates. DSU program families enjoy knowing that their child can socialize, blow off steam, engage in sports, fitness, academics, arts, music, get their homework done and learn new skills. DSU offers afternoon enrichment programs throughout the school year, open to all Duxbury youth, not only our after school program participants. Our Knit Wits learn to knit class, yoga classes, “Cake Boss” – learn to decorate cakes, film making and acting workshops are only a few examples of the varied enrichment programs offered throughout the year.
With the new school construction underway, DSU offers an untouched oasis in the heart of the school campus and a safe afternoon alternative to roaming the school campus and Millbrook business area.
Myth #4 DSU is only for “Members”
Our After School Programs are an important part of what we do at DSU, but they represent only a small part. DSU is moving away from using “membership” language because we feel it inaccurately portrays what we do. Sure, we have kids who participate in and benefit from our awesome after school programs, but we have a whole lot more to offer the entire youth community of Duxbury.
DSU special events, mission based and enrichment programs are open to all members of our youth community. The DSU offers a variety of activities in line with our mission to engage youth of all ages to bring about positive change in the community and world. Our girls empowerment series, math packet summer tutoring, lunches on the lawn for DMS students, boys basketball nights, social media workshops, internet safety, anti-bullying programs, fundraising and contributions for organizations like the Duxbury Interfaith Council represent just a few of our efforts now and in the months ahead.
As Duxbury’s youth center, we offer these activities not only to participants in our after school programs, but also to the wider community of young people in Duxbury. We encourage community members to bookmark this site and join our newsletter (sign-up on any page of our site) to stay informed of upcoming community programs. Our long-term goal is to be able to offer these programs at little to no cost to our young people through fundraising and grants.
Myth #5 DSU is only for little kids
DSU was founded six years ago with middle school and high school kids in mind. Three years ago, when the school start time changed, DSU created an after school program that offered Alden families an affordable solution to cover the 2pm to 3pm hour until older siblings were home. The program has evolved over time to cater to the interests and needs of our youth and is now both a desirable after school option for Alden kids and a critical source of income for DSU to keep the lights on and the doors open.
DSU is a resource for all ages in our community. Our middle school and high school students are talented mentors, leaders and role models. DSU offers a place for National Honor Society high school seniors and students fulfilling community service goals to share their skills through tutoring at our summer math packet sessions, mentoring with our girls empowerment groups, coaching through our summer boys’ basketball nights. DSU also offers a stage for inspiring teen musicians, artists, actors and entrepreneurs. Stay tuned as we further develop our leadership, enrichment and volunteer opportunities for our middle school and high school students.
Myth #6 DSU is funded by the town and schools
The Duxbury Student Union is a non-profit organization, operating independently from the town and schools. We rely solely on fees from our after school programming, our special events, enrichment programs and donations from the community to keep us in operation.
Stop in and see for yourself!
Now that these myths have been debunked, please don’t take DSU’s word for it; come by and see for yourself! Stop in to an upcoming open house or introduce yourself to staff members on any day between 2pm and 5pm Monday through Friday beginning September 4th.
