Children’s Extracurriculars

The J offers quality, robust extracurricular programs for school-aged children taught by specialized and experienced partners. Options include sports, art, gymnastics, STEAM, dance, swim, karate, performing arts, and more.

Select classes are eligible for our flexible after-school program Club J, which provides busing and wrap-around childcare on the day of the extracurricular activity for children enrolled in Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow and Irvington school districts. These classes are indicated with  (**).

Please see below for class schedules and class descriptions. Important: youth group swim lessons are on a different calendar cycle. Find the schedule of group swim classes here.

Children enrolled in our afterschool program Almost Home may register for extracurricular activities with a 10-15% discount, depending on the class. Children in Almost Home and Club J will be walked to extracurriculars by their counselors; full-day Early Childhood Center children will be walked to their extracurriculars by their teacher or assistant director. Read more about Almost Home and Club J.

To register for Club J, click on the link for the day of your class after you enroll your child. Please note your child must be registered for an extracurricular class to participate in Club J and there are two separate registrations.

Mondays: $270 Register (waitlist only)
Tuesdays: $300 Register (waitlist only)
Wednesdays: $330 Register (waitlist only)
Thursdays: $330 Register (waitlist only)
Fridays: $300 Register

Important Information

• Our winter extracurricular session will run from 1/3 until 3/22; please see individual classes for exact dates.
• There will NOT be programs on the following dates: 1/15, 2/19-2/23, and 3/15.
• For more class details, please read the descriptions below the schedule here or click “register” on the schedule.
• If a class is already in session and space is available, you may register at a prorated fee at the instructor’s discretion. Late registrations cannot register online. Please email [email protected] or call the Welcome Desk at 914.918.3068.
• Please contact the following with questions about:
  • Extracurricular classes: [email protected]
  • Almost Home or Club J: [email protected]
  • Swim program: [email protected]

Sports & Rec Classes

 

Basketball Clinic with 6th Boro Hoops
Experienced coaches will teach your children the basic fundamentals of movement, coordination, and specific basketball skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. At the end of our clinic, each child should have a higher baseline of athletic ability as well as basketball basics! Learn more about 6th Boro Hoops

Tiny Tigers with American Goju Karate (Ages 3-5)
Led by American GoJu Karate’s Director and Chief Instructor Sensei Bob Chillemi, this goal-oriented skills program helps children improve focus, control, balance, coordination, fitness, teamwork, discipline, and memory in a fun environment. Preschoolers develop confidence and self-discipline through the principles of the Tiny Tigers. Additional fees for uniforms are payable directly to the instructor. Learn more about American Goju Karate.

American Goju Karate (White and Blue Belts)
Students progress through the belt system, improving fitness, focus, control, balance, coordination, teamwork, discipline, and memory in a fun environment that celebrates short-term and long-term goal achievement.

The Shames JCC offers classes at the beginner (white and blue belts), advanced beginner/intermediate (yellow and green belts), and intermediate/advanced (purple, brown, and black belts). Learn more about American Goju Karate.

Gymnastics: Preschool (Ages 3-5)
This co-ed class for younger gymnasts is designed to develop your child’s physical and social abilities through body movement and group participation. Your child will learn basic gymnastics skills using the balance beam, bars, floor, trampoline, and basic tumbling skills.

Gymnastics: Level 1 (Grade K-2)
This co-ed class is designed for beginner gymnasts with little or no experience. Students will build gymnastics skills that promote flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness, while also building positive self-esteem. This is a non-competitive program that builds progressive skills in a relaxed and fun yet challenging atmosphere. Activities include bars, tumbling, vault, balance beam, and trampoline.

Gymnastics: Level 1 and 2 (Grades K+)
This co-ed class is designed for beginner gymnasts aged 5 and up, with little or no experience (Level 1) or some prior experience (Level 2). Groups will be formed based on level after the first class. Students will build gymnastics skills that promote flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness, while also building positive self-esteem. This is a non-competitive program that builds progressive skills in a relaxed and fun yet challenging atmosphere. Activities include bars, tumbling, vault, balance beam, and trampoline. 

Gymnastics: Level 1, 2, and 3 (Grades K+)
This co-ed class is designed for beginner gymnasts aged 6 and up, with little or no experience (Level 1) and students with some prior experience (Levels 2 and 3). Groups will be formed based on level after the first class. Students will build gymnastics skills that promote flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness, while also building positive self-esteem. This is a non-competitive program that builds progressive skills in a relaxed and fun yet challenging atmosphere. Activities include bars, tumbling, vault, balance beam, and trampoline. If you have questions about your child’s level, please email [email protected].

Gymnastic: Level  2, 3, and 4 (Grades 1+)
This co-ed class is designed for children ages 6 and up who have prior gymnastics experience. While focusing on more advanced skills, we continue to build positive self-esteem in a non-competitive environment. Activities include bars, tumbling, vault, balance beam, and trampoline. If you have questions about your child’s level, please email [email protected].

Tennis with Evolution Tennis Academy (PreK)
Evolution Tennis Academy’s tennis program caters to kids of all levels and focuses on creating a positive, supportive, and fun environment that fosters a lifelong love for tennis. Instructors are not only skilled in the game of tennis but also great at engaging with young children and inspiring their best performance. This program will focus on creating a balance between skill development, physical fitness, and enjoyment. Learn more about Evolution Tennis.

Tennis with Evolution Tennis Academy (K-2 and Grades 2–4)
Evolution Tennis Academy’s tennis program caters to kids of all levels and focuses on creating a positive, supportive, and fun environment which fosters a lifelong love for tennis. Instructors are not only skilled in the game of tennis but also great at engaging with young children and inspiring their best performance. This program will focus on creating a balance between skill development, physical fitness, and enjoyment. Learn more about Evolution Tennis.

Multi-Sport with Train Like a Pro (Ages 3-5)
Kids will learn basic sport fundamentals while improving motor skills and having fun.This class will rotate through different sports such as lacrosse, baseball, football, hockey, soccer, kickball, and basketball. Learn more about Train Like a Pro.

Soccer with Train Like a Pro (Ages 3-5)
Children will learn basic soccer fundamentals while improving their motor skills and having fun in a non-competitive environment. Learn more about Train Like a Pro.

Soccer Clinic with Train Like a Pro (Grades K-2)
Children will gain confidence and creativity on the field and improve their technical skills such as first touch, passing, dribbling, and shooting. They will also work on speed, agility, strength, and endurance – all while being in a fun, engaging environment. Learn more about Train Like a Pro.

Ninja Warrior with Grit Ninja (Grades K-2 and Grades 2–5)
Pleasantville’s popular Grit Ninja has packed up its equipment and is ready to turn the J into a unique ninja warrior obstacle course! During each action-packed class, aspiring ninjas will climb, swing, jump, and run on our ever-changing equipment (which includes a warped wall, rock wall, ring and rope swings, pipe sliders, parkour stations, balance games, and so much more)!  Coaches will guide ninjas as they tackle obstacles that build strength, coordination, agility, balance, problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and most importantly, GRIT! Learn more about Grit Ninja.

Visual Arts & STEAM

Esports with Minecraft with iCAMP
Competition inspires cooperation and collaboration – and Esports are no exception! Students will practice and compete against other teams in the Minecraft digital world under the close guidance of an Esports coach. Teams will be tasked with planning and building challenging projects like recreating the New York City boroughs or even building a rocket ship to go to space.

Challenge Island: Space Travel Island (Grades K-3)
Take a STEAMTASTIC journey through the universe, visiting planets and galaxies, joining along with astronauts tackling space aliens, and experience and engineer some out-of-this-world innovations. Each class is active,  exciting, and hands-on, as students collaborate, communicate, think critically, and build their creative skills. Learn more about Challenge Island.

Paint, Print, Sculpt (Grades K-2)
In this mixed media art class, your child will explore their creativity through a variety of mediums and methods to make unique creations. Whether drawing or painting, creating prints, or building sculptures, your child will strengthen fine motor and problem-solving skills. Imaginative play will be incorporated throughout the lessons as children engage in expressive storytelling and games. The class will make messes and mistakes but reinforce the idea that everyone’s got what it takes to be an artist! Learn more about instructor Zerlina Panush

Art for Everyone (Grades K-6)
This inclusive class is designed for elementary-aged students with varying abilities. It focuses on the process of art-making as a sensorial, creative, and productive experience. We will use a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional materials to complete projects that all children can feel proud of. This class is led by an art therapist who has experience working with children with a wide range of emotional, cognitive, and physical abilities. Learn more about instructor Kit Demirdelen 

Cool Crafting: Sewing, Weaving, Clay and More (Grades 1-3)
This class will introduce kids to traditional craft materials, but with a modern twist! Projects will include weaving, fiber, clay, and printing, and will allow young artists to explore the process from different angles. Learn more about instructor Kit Demirdelen 

Minecraft World Building with iCAMP (Grades 2-5)
Expand the depth of your child’s creativity! Students will be challenged to design and build their own fantastic worlds through 3D modeling software and the Minecraft Education Edition. Students will be encouraged to thoughtfully plan out these worlds to fit their vision and then execute these plans to perfection. They will flesh out their locations and structures with backstories, characters of their own design, and storylines that their peers can actually interact with and play through. Learn more about iCamp.

Cooking with Children’s Food Lab (Grades 2-5)
Jill Santopietro, founder of the Children’s Food Lab, brings multi-sensory food and cooking to students, where they’ll explore the stories or ingredients behind a dish, experiment with ingredients and cooking techniques, and learn to become comfortable in the kitchen. Students will make smoothies, salad, dumplings, chocolate Valentines, and more.

Performing Arts

 

Comedy Workshop with Sleepy Hollow Arts Collective (SHAC), Grades 4-6
Hone your comedic talents! This class brings professional comedy writers and performers SHAC together with Westchester County’s best and brightest 4th through 6th grade comedic minds to help them create their own live improv/sketch comedy show! Learn more about SHAC.

Theater Workshop: Write and Perform with Sleepy Hollow Arts Collective (SHAC), Grades 2-3
This workshop gives kids the opportunity to create and perform their own play under the guidance of professional theater artists from SHAC. Through fun, lively acting and playwriting exercises (and lots of silly games!) They work as an ensemble to develop the characters, setting, and plot for an original work of theater that they present in a workshop performance at the end of the program. Learn more about SHAC.

Creative Movement with Rivertown Dance Academy (Ages 3-5)
Children will be introduced to the fundamentals of movement and basic classical dance in a fun, creative way.  Learn more about Rivertown Dance Academy. Learn more about Rivertown Dance Academy.

Storybook Music and Theatre (Grades K-2)
In this fun and educational class, children are introduced to theatre arts by bringing their favorite books to life! We will explore characterization and meaning; use rhythmic play, song-writing, and movement; and play theater games. Every child brings their own unique creativity to class!