YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF BRAINERD

YOUTH DEVELOPMENTOUR YMCA IS COMMITTED TO NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL KIDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. THAT IS WHY WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CULTIVATE THE VALUES, SKILLS, AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH, AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. OUR YMCA PROGRAMS SUCH AS CHILDCARE, SCHOOL YEAR CARE, SWIM LESSONS, SWIM TEAM, SUMMER DAYCAMP, AND YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. EXPENSES INCLUDE SUBSIDIES AND DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT MAKE PARTICIPATION POSSIBLE. IN 2025 WE PROVIDED OVER $60,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMS. DAYCARE PROGRAMS:OUR YMCA PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE BY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE ACTIVITIES FOR INFANT THROUGH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN DRAWING ON DIVERSE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE BOTH FULL AND PART TIME OPTIONS TO SERVE A WIDE RANGE OF FAMILY SCHEDULING NEEDS. WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF THE YMCA MISSION IS A COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING FAMILIES. YMCA CHILDCARE PROGRAMS RELIEVE THE BURDEN OF BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN OUR CARE TO REMAIN GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, KNOWING THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING IN A SAFE, DEVELOPMENTALLY SOUND ENVIRONMENT. THE YCMA PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SHORT TERM BABYSITTING AND FULL DAY CHILDCARE SERVICE. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE AID TO FAMILIES WHO NEED HELP DUE TO FAMILY VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ETC. BY COLLABORATING WITH OTHER LOCAL SERVICE AGENCIES. WE ALSO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT EMPHASIZE PARENT EDUCATION AND HELP PARENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO RAISE HEALTHY, HAPPY CHILDREN WHO DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND MORAL AND ETHICAL VALUES. 112 YOUNG PEOPLE WERE SERVED DURING 2025. SCHOOL YEAR CARE:THE Y KIDS CLUB SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE DURING AFTER SCHOOL HOURS AND DURING SCHOOL BREAKS FOR ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN. DAILY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ARTS/CRAFTS, COMPUTERS, SWIMMING AND GYM GAMES. HOMEWORK MENTORING IS ALSO PROVIDED BY TRAINED STAFF. MANY PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR FEE BASED PROGRAMS, SO A YOUNG PERSON'S ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT A BARRIER TO PARTICIPATION. WE ALSO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION AFTER SCHOOL TO THOSE CHILDREN WHO NEED TO GET TO THE YMCA. 176 YOUNG PEOPLE WERE SERVED DURING 2025. SWIM LESSONS:THEY Y OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF SWIMMING OPTIONS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. SWIMMING BUILDS SELF-CONFIDENCE AND DEVELOPS THE WHOLE PERSON SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. CLASSES ARE DIVIDED INTO ABILITY GROUPS WHILE TRAINED INSTRUCTORS EMPHASIZE PERSONAL SAFETY, SWIMMING SKILLS, ENDURANCE AND SOCIAL SKILLS GUIDED WITH PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT. SWIM TEAM:YCMA SWIM TEAM IS A COMPETITIVE PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL SWIM ABILITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 5 TO 18. OUR TRAINED COACHED WORK TO IMPROVE SWIMMERS SKILL LEVEL, ENDURANCE AND TO PROMOTE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. OUR PROGRAM EMBRACES THE YMCA CORE VALUES AND PROMOTES PROGRESSION AT AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL.SUMMER DAY CAMP AND GULL LAKE SAILING SCHOOL:THEY YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM PROVIDES A LASTING EXPERIENCE OF PERSONAL ENRICHMENT. DAY CAMPS OFFER ADVENTURE AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE CHALLENGE AND PROMOTE SPIRITUAL AWARENESS, MENTAL DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL WELLBEING, SOCIAL GROWTH, AND SELF RESPECT. CAMPING HELPS YOUTH BE AWARE OF THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPABILITIES, RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF COOPERATION, AND TO GAIN CONFIDENCE. THE YMCA A HAS MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE GULL LAKE SAILING SCHOOL OFFERING BEGINNING SAILING LESSONS TO YOUTH.

HEALTHY LIVINGTHE Y IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELLBEING. WE BRING FAMILIES CLOSE TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH, AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN, AND SHARED INTERESTS. AS A RESULT, PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS OUR NATION STRUGGLES WITH AN OBESITY CRISIS, FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK/LIFE BALANCE, AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES, AND INCOME LEVELS. IN 2025 WE PROVIDED OVER $52,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ADULTS AND FAMILIES WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS:HELPING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES DEVELOP HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY IS THE CORE OF THE YMCA MOVEMENT. 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. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF GROUP FITNESS CLASSES, WELLNESS CENTER WITH CARDIO EQUIPMENT, AND STRENGTH TRAINING AREA. WE ALSO OFFER CLASSES AND EQUIPMENT SPECIFICALLY FOR ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 55. OUR ACTIVE OLDER ADULT AQUASIZE IS AN AQUATICS PROGRAM THAT KEEPS SENIORS ACTIVE AND FLEXIBLE. OUR SILVER SNEAKERS GROUP FITNESS CLASS IS CUSTOMIZED TO ACCOMMODATE OLDER ADULTS, SEDENTARY INDIVIDUALS AND PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS. OVER 1,000 PEOPLE SHARED IN COMMUNITY BY PARTICIPATING IN GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES IN 2025.SPORTS & RECREATION:YMCA ADULT SPORTS PROGRAMS OFFER FUN WAYS FOR ADULTS TO STAY ACTIVE, GET FIT AND EXPLORE NEW HOBBIES. THE YMCA OFFERS A VARIETY OF ADULT SPORTS LEAGUES AND PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE FUN AND HEALTHY ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS OF ALL FITNESS LEVELS. HEALTHY LIFESTYLES:WE OFFER A RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION. CLASSES OFFERED INCLUDE: CPR, FIRST AID, BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS AND LIFEGUARD TRAINING.