THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF ITHACA AND TOMPKINS COUNTY

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: YMCA YOUTH PROGRAMS GIVE KIDS GOOD ROLE MODELS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND GOOD VALUES, INCLUDING COOPERATION, RESPECT, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC. THE SOCIAL INTERACTION, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, OPPORTUNITIES TO ASSIST OTHERS AND EDUCATIONAL INVOLVEMENT ARE AMONG THE GOALS AND IDEAS FOR EACH YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN YMCA PROGRAMS.THE YMCA DAY CAMP PROGRAM PROVIDES A LASTING EXPERIENCE OF PERSONAL ENRICHMENT. DAY CAMP OFFERS ADVENTURE AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE CHALLENGE AND PROMOTE SPIRITUAL AWARENESS, MENTAL DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH, AND SELF-RESPECT. CAMPING HELPS YOUTH BECOME AWARE OF THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPABILITIES, TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF COOPERATION, AND TO GAIN CONFIDENCE.THE SCHOOL AGE CHILDCARE (SACC) AND OTHER YOUTH SPORT AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS DURING THE SHCOOL YEAR ARE SIMILAR IN NATURE TO THE SUMMER CAMPING PROGRAM IN TERMS OF THE EFFECT ON YOUTH LIVES. PARTICIPANTS IN THE YMCA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE AND LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES AS THEY DEVELOP THEIR SOCIAL IDENTITY.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS: HELPING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES TO DEVELOP HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY IS AT THE CORE OF THE YMCA MISSION. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE CREATE REALISTIC GOALS FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT AND EMPHASIZE DISEASE PREVENTION THROUGH REGULAR EXERCISE, PROPER NUTRITION, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES AND ADULTS PROMOTE TEAMWORK, INTERACTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL SKILLS.OUR AQUACIZE PROGRAM IS AN AQUATIC PROGRAM THAT KEEPS SENIORS ACTIVE AND FLEXIBLE; OUR AQUATIC PROGRAM(PROGRESSIVE SWIM) HELPS TO DEVELOP PHYSICAL SKILLS IN TODDLERS THROUGH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN; OUR FAMILY SWIM PROGRAM GIVES ADULTS AND CHILDREN SHARE TIME IN THE POOL TO APPRECIATE ONE ANOTHER AND PROMOTE INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. OUR SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT AFFORDABLE FEES FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AREA, WITH REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND WITH FINANCIAL ASSISSTANCE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE FULL FEE.IN LIGHT OF THE RISING OBESITY RATES IN THIS COUNTRY, OUR YMCA PARTICIPATES IN THE ACTIVATE AMERICA INITIATIVE AND ENGAGES IN A VARIETY OF EVENTS, PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HELP THE "AT RISK POPULATION" DEVELOP HABITS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES.