Winner: Best Community Rec Center in The Berkshires

The Community Recreation Association (CRA) is a collaborative, nonprofit charitable organization that has proudly served the Central Berkshire region since 1923.

As a vibrant and ever-evolving organization, the CRA remains committed to meeting the changing needs of our community. We’re proud to be a trusted resource and welcoming gathering place for individuals and families of all ages.

Our campus includes the Youth Center (DYC), the W. Murray Crane Community House, and Mill + Main—each offering space for a wide variety of programs, events, and community connections. Whether you’re looking to participate, volunteer, or simply spend time with your neighbors, there’s a place for you at the CRA.

Today, the CRA offers approximately 100 programs for youth and adults alike—making it a true community hub.

With a strong focus on children and families, we provide after-school care, youth sports, seasonal camps, and a wide variety of enrichment opportunities.

Across all of our programs and events, we welcome more than 188,000 visitors each year.

Honoring Our Mission—Shaping What’s Next
The Community Recreation Association’s mission is to build a sense of community by offering social, educational, recreational, cultural, and wellness programs to the Central Berkshire community in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. We are a collaborative non-profit charitable organization open to all ages since 1923.

Today, the CRA continues to bring that mission to life by offering a wide range of programs and services for all ages. From youth sports leagues, swim lessons, and after-school care to adult fitness classes, cultural events, and community celebrations, we strive to create opportunities for connection, growth, and fun. With nearly 100 programs offered throughout the year, the CRA serves as a true hub of activity, learning, and belonging for the Central Berkshire region.

Our Mission in Action: Empowering Youth
After School – One of the vital services we provide is the after-school program at Craneville, Kittredge, and Becket-Washington elementary schools, as well as the DYC. At Craneville, we also offer before-school care to support working families. These programs provide a safe and supportive environment where children can study, receive tutoring, and play with peers. Services are also available at the DYC during school vacations, in-service days, snow days, and summer vacation.

Sports Programs – We offer many types of sports programs, all focusing on building teamwork, good sportsmanship, healthy exercise, and fun. Every season offers a choice of sports, including soccer, football, cheer, basketball, volleyball, softball, and baseball. In most of these sports, we offer a house league and, for the more competitive in nature, the travel league, which competes with other towns in our county.

Building Leaders – At the Youth Center, young adults are offered services such as tutoring, dances, and many other age-appropriate programs. The Junior Leaders, Senior Rotary Interact, and Youth Advisory Board (YAB) clubs bring our young people together for fun and community involvement. Members of the clubs volunteer in various CRA and town activities, from helping with holiday parties, working concession stands, and coaching sports to collecting coats for a coat drive.

Adaptive Programs – For many years, we have offered programs for families with children with disabilities, serving individuals from across Berkshire County. Our adaptive programs foster inclusion by bringing together both typical and non-typical high school students to participate in activities such as gym games, soccer, baseball, swimming, and dance. Parents and siblings are encouraged to join in as well. To further enhance our services, we are currently working with Pathways to Friendship, an initiative focused on promoting social inclusion.



Summer DYC Day Camp

Family, Fitness, FUN!
Stronger Together: Fitness at the CRA
Fitness & Wellness – At the CRA, members of our community enjoy a fitness center, indoor pool, basketball court, indoor batting cage (seasonal), pickleball courts, and meeting rooms for various functions. Since 1995, the CRA Wellness Center has been meeting the community’s fitness needs in many ways. A variety of options are offered, from Free Motion equipment to free weights, to a variety of fitness classes including yoga, dance, and muscle strengthening. June 2021 marked the tenth anniversary of our co-location with AccessPT (formerly Berkshire Physical Therapy and Wellness). The Wellness Center includes a personal trainer, post-rehabilitation therapy, and sport/specific personal training. They have been a great addition to our center, and our customers have found it very convenient.

Pool – Our pool also offers a variety of services to keep our community safe and active. We offer swim lessons to all ages!