Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet is a celebrated leader in the world of classical ballet. Embracing an attitude of lifelong learning more than 59 years ago, Founding Artistic Director Marcia Dale Weary envisioned a school where children would have the opportunity to receive exceptional ballet training. Today CPYB is the nation’s preeminent school of classical ballet with an international reputation for training young men and women. The school’s renowned teaching methodology couples performance opportunities with innovative educational initiatives, an esteemed faculty, and a proven syllabus – all in an environment that promotes the acquisition of the life skills crucial to a child’s development.
Thousands of young people have passed through Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s acclaimed studios in Carlisle, Pa. CPYB alumni continually occupy top positions in the leading ballet companies from San Francisco and Miami to New York, London and beyond. Through the organization’s threefold mission – to inspire, educate and enrich – the legacy of Marcia Dale Weary and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet redefines the art form, preserves its history and shapes its future.
YWCA Carlisle is a non-profit, social justice centered agency that works to eliminate racism and empower women in the Carlisle community and beyond. YWCA operates programs for people of all genders, from preschool age into adulthood. Many of their program offerings focus on educating members of the Carlisle Community. For example, a youth program called “After School Homework Club” provides “a safe and enriching environment for students in grades kindergarten through fifth to complete their homework.” Many of their programs, like this one, are staffed by volunteers from the Carlisle and Dickinson communities. Other programs focus on teaching nutrition, sexual violence prevention, physical wellness, fitness, and respectful communication. There are many volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved, which can be found on the YWCA Carlisle website.
Carlisle Family YMCA offers classes to the greater Carlisle community that empower them to live healthier lives. Youth empowerment and development programs like “T.R.A.I.L,” which provides teens “the opportunity to develop skills in group organization, communication and social interaction through healthy, non-competitive group and individual adventure-based activities,” help foster a sustainable community of engaged, active citizens. Other opportunities, such as Home School Outdoor Education Days, empower home schooled children to explore the natural world through activities like canoeing, fishing, and archery. Carlisle Family YMCA also offers traditional fitness classes and other wellness courses for adults, which aim to build a healthier community. The organization as a whole is committed to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, all three of which are necessary in building a sustainable community.
