Category: youth programs

The Y is Here to Help you Prepare for Back to School!

Posted on by Rosalyn Whickum

August is National Back to School Month. To prepare, the YMCA of Greater Toledo is sharing three ways you can make sure your back-to-school season is a success!

Enroll in YMCA Child Care Before and After-school  Programming Today

When school is out, the Y is in! In honor of National Back to School Month, the Y wants to remind you of all our great before and after-school programming, to ensure your child is taken care of before or after their school day! The YMCA of Greater Toledo has a total of 23 before and after-school sites. Click here to register or learn more. Also, if you’re interested in joining our Child Care team, we are hiring, and encourage you to apply today.  

Communicate Routines and Expectations

The Y wants your family to be prepared for back-to-school season! Here is your friendly reminder to make sure you have everything on your child’s classroom supply list, reset those summer bedtimes well before the big day, and communicate any changes in routine with the entire family. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and safe back-to-school season!

Attend Our Back to School Bash

From crayons to notebooks, many classrooms, and the students who fill them, need school supplies this time of year! In celebration of National Back to School Month, the YMCA of Greater Toledo wants to invite you to our Back to School Bash. Join us on Saturday, August 19 from noon to 2 pm at the Sylvania YMCA/JCC.  

We are so excited about the school year and want you to know that the YMCA is here to support you. 

Back To School Bash

Saturday, August 19 | 12-2pm
Sylvania YMCA and JCC

The Value of Camp: Affordability and Inclusivity

Posted on Updated on by Rosalyn Whickum

The Value of Camp: Affordability and Inclusivity

A trip to YMCA Storer Camps is always fun! There’s no doubt about that.  In fact, throughout the day at camp, the most common question asked  (besides what’s being served at the next meal) is “What was your favorite thing you did today?” 

This question is typically followed by a number of excited responses about riding horses, climbing the rock wall, or paddling around on Stony Lake on a stand-up paddleboard.  Although not explicitly stated, what these responses reveal is the fact that campers tried something new, grew out of their comfort zone, and created relationships with new friends.

When spending time at YMCA Storer Camps, each camper is able to grow in our four core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.  They create a community of campers across county, state, and even national lines.  Campers are challenged to push beyond boundaries they didn’t know existed, all while in a safe, caring environment away from societal pressures.  Upon returning home, campers have a stronger sense of self-worth, accomplishment, and appreciation for the world and others around them.

These experiences are designed for all children to learn, grow, and explore. 

YMCA Storer Camps is committed to ensuring that camp is a home away from home for every single child. Regardless of various walks of life, no barrier should ever prevent a child from attending camp.

In an attempt to further reduce barriers to experiencing camp, 2023 saw the launch of a brand new tiered pricing system for summer camp programs.  Families are now able to choose the program rate that best fits their needs, with no questions asked. All campers still receive the same quality programs regardless of payment level.  

We realize that some families may need additional resources beyond the tiered pricing system. In these cases, the YMCA is happy to offer financial assistance, provided by the generosity of donors who believe in the mission of YMCA Storer Camps.

Additionally, YMCA members receive discounts on all summer camp programs.  This discount is not exclusive to members of the YMCA of Greater Toledo but is extended to members of any YMCA across the globe! 

A trip to YMCA Storer Camps is fun, safe, and full of growth. Above all it is meant for your child this summer! 

 

Register Today!

New Tiered Pricing

1 week of Overnight Camp

Find Your Fun, Find Your Y at Healthy Kids Day!

Posted on Updated on by Rosalyn Whickum

YMCA Storer Camps, and the Eastern Community and West Toledo YMCAs will each host an event in honor of the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day®.  The West Toledo YMCA will kick off Healthy Kids Day® on April 29 at 10 am, and YMCA Storer Camps’ event to follow at 1 pm. The Eastern Community Y’s event will be held on May 3 at 5:30 pm.  These free events will feature various family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families, and a healthy start to the summer season.

In celebration of this annual kick-off to summer, we are sharing a list of five activities we encourage you to share with your kids. The goal is to have them try something new at the Y by promoting a variety of opportunities to get involved in the active play – hopefully, this will inspire a lifetime love of physical and mental activity! Share these opportunities with your children and inspire them to “find their fun” by discovering an activity they love!

Find Your Swimming Skills with Y Swim Lessons

Each year the Y teaches hundreds of children to swim. This helps them find their CONFIDENCE, teaches a lifelong skill, and introduces them to lifelong fun. Visit this link to learn more about Y swim lessons.

Find Your Adventure with Y Summer Camp

Summer is a time for kids to explore new things and expand the limits of their imagination. At the YMCA of Geater Toledo, every day is a new adventure! Whether experiencing the wonder of YMCA Storer summer overnight camp or having a blast with new friends at summer day camp, many children and teens find their ADVENTURE with the Y. Visit our summer webpage to learn more about Y summer camp.

Find Your Passion with Y Sports

Youth sports are just the start of something bigger– besides teaching healthy living principles, they also teach the value of teamwork, help fuel determination, and build character. At the YMCA of Greater Toledo, we have several sports programs to help keep children active while igniting their PASSION for something greater. Visit the youth sports and programs webpage to learn more. 

Find Your Voice with Y Teen Programs

We believe young people have the power to change the world. Our teen and young adult programs are designed to help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to lead positive change in the community and beyond. Visit the Y Achiever’s webpage to learn more about Y teen programs.

For more information on Healthy Kids Day, visit ymca.org