MEETING WATERS YMCA

DAY CAMP PROGRAMSOUR SUMMER PROGRAM RETURNED AS IT HAS FOR 61 YEARS, PROVIDING 8 WEEKS OF ENRICHING SUMMER CAMP AT OUR SPRINGFIELD LOCATION. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WITHOUT ACCESS TO LEARNING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, KIDS FALL BEHIND ACADEMICALLY AND EXPERIENCE "SUMMER LEARNING LOSS." FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE CHALLENGED ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY, SUMMER LEARNING LOSS PUSHES THEM EVEN FARTHER BEHIND THEIR PEERS. OUR Y DAY CAMP, MTN BIKE CAMPS, ADVENTURE SAMPLER AND RISING LEADERS PROGRAMS PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY, ASSET-BUILDING SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCES FOR MORE THAN 176 DIFFERENT CHILDREN AGES 5-15 OVER EIGHT WEEKS OF THE SUMMER BREAK. THESE CHILDREN COME FROM 27 VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE COMMUNITIES SUPPORTED BY OUR BUSSING SERVICE THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE LOW COST OF OUR CAMP. OUR Y DAY CAMP STAFF FOSTERS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE CHILD BY PROVIDING A WIDE-VARIETY OF FUN, AGE-APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH, AND THE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. CORE CAMP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: YMCA SWIM LESSONS, SPORTS, ARTS & CRAFTS, FREE SWIM, COOPERATIVE GAMES, HIKING, ARCHERY, NATURE EDUCATION, AND CANOEING. SESSION THEMES PROVIDE THE FOCUS FOR MANY ACTIVITIES. OUR RISING LEADERS PROGRAM, WHICH CONSISTS OF BOTH A LEADER-IN-TRAINING PROGRAM FOR 13 14-YEAR OLDS AND A COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING PROGRAM FOR 14 AND 15-YEAR-OLDS, IS DESIGNED TO BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN BEING A MEETING WATERS YMCA CAMPER AND A CAMP STAFF MEMBER. BUT, THE LIT PROGRAM IS MORE THAN THAT. IT IS A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. IT IS A MENTORING PROGRAM. IT IS GREAT TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT MIGHT WANT TO GO INTO TEACHING, SOCIAL SERVICES, YOUTH WORK OR OTHER GROUP LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. THIS PAST SUMMER OUR MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP RETURNED ALONG WITH ADVENTURE SAMPLER BOTH SPECIALTY CAMPS FOR TEENS THAT PROVIDE A VARIETY AND ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL CAMP. IN FY25, PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN THESE PROGRAMS RECEIVED MORE THAN $145,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND STATE CHILDCARE SUBSIDY.IN ADDITION, THANKS TO OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH WNESU, WE ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY OFTEN A CHALLENGE IN THE SUMMER. ALL OF OUR SUMMER PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND AN AFTERNOON SNACK AT NO COST TO THE FAMILY. OVER 5,300 MEALS WERE SERVED AT CAMP WITH AN ADDITIONAL 2,600 SNACKS. OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SPRINGFIELD ROTARY CLUB ALSO PROVIDED 216 WEEKEND FOOD BAGS TO THOSE FAMILIES MOST IN NEED.