With so many demands on today’s families and the increased focus on early brain development, families need all the support they can get to nurture the potential of youth. Child care and early learning programs at the Y focus on holistically nurturing child development by providing a safe and healthy place to learn foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-reliance.
Our staff understand the cognitive, physical and social development of kids, the need children have to feel connected and supported in trying new things, and the caring and reinforcement parents and families need to help each other. At the Y, babies develop trust and security, preschoolers experience early literacy and learn about their world, and school-age kids make friends, learn new skills and do homework.
Ys across the country offer quality full-day and partial-day child care for infants through preschoolers, enabling parents and family members to go to work knowing their children are in safe, stimulating environments.
Afterschool Care
With a focus on safety, health, social growth and academic enhancement, Y afterschool programs serve kindergartners through middle schoolers with a variety of programmatic and activity options to explore and develop their interests and talents.
Child Watch
Many Ys offer free drop-in child care while mom or dad make use of the Y. Playful, engaging options are plentiful for young children while you exercise or connect with others over shared interests.
Education & Leadership
Nationwide, millions of youth and teens recognize the Y as a place where they belong. We work to ensure every child has an opportunity to have an active role in strengthening their community and brighten the future. At the Y, they can feel comfortable exploring new interests and look for support in navigating challenges. Through academic aid, career exploration and mentoring, this program helps youth to raise their academic standards, develop a positive sense of self, build character, explore diverse college and career options, and learn from role models who inspire them to greater heights.
Leaders Clubs
Leaders Clubs help develop youth ages 12 to 18 as leaders while fostering a culture of service. With adult advisors, teens have role models and mentors who can have a positive impact on their lives as they grow in their desire and ability to be a positive force in the community.
Youth and Government
YMCA Youth in Government is a national program of the Y that involves thousands of teens nationwide in state-organized, model-government programs. Students from every corner of the U.S. have the opportunity to immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement and to, quite literally, practice democracy. Teens from across every state meet in their local Youth in Government groups throughout the year to discuss and debate issues that affect citizens of their state and to propose legislation. The program culminates with teens serving as delegates at their state conference, debating bills on the floor of the legislature.
Achievers Programs
Started in Houston, TX in 1967 to provide African American teens with a positive sense of self and aspirations for professional careers in the workforce, the purpose of YMCA Black Achievers is “to help teens of color set and pursue high educational and career goals resulting in graduation and acceptance to an institution of higher learning.” Black Achievers programs meet weekly or bi-weekly throughout the year at local YMCAs, high schools or college campuses all over the country. Through academic aid, career exploration and mentoring, this program helps youth to raise their academic standards, develop a positive sense of self, build character, explore diverse college and career options, and learn from role models who inspire them to greater heights.
Counselor in Training (CIT) and Leader in Training (LIT) Teen Leadership Programs at Camp
The camp environment provides a unique opportunity for youth to build leadership skills, particularly in assisting counselors with younger campers. The goals of CIT and LIT camp programs are to teach the general skills of leadership that can be used at school, home and community (not just at camp.) For younger camp leaders (ages 13-15), the curriculum includes working with younger kids at camp, but often includes community components like volunteering at senior centers or YMCAs. Counselors-in-Training or "CITs" are the oldest campers who typically want to apply for a job at camp the next summer, maybe as a Jr Counselor or some other supporting role. They need to learn more specific skills for working with kids and co-workers, and more experience planning and leading activities. Both programs give kids age-appropriate challenges that build their skills, confidence and capacity for working with people of all ages.
College Goal Sunday
Countless capable and talented young people don’t pursue higher education because they assume it’s out of financial reach. However, federal funds exist to help make a two or four-year college experience a reality. As part of the Y’s work to connect underserved youth to higher education opportunities, Ys offer and participate in College Goal Sunday—a national, volunteer-driven program that culminates in an annual event providing free information and assistance to students and families in-applying for financial aid for postsecondary education.
Swim, Sports & Play
Whether it’s gaining the confidence that comes from learning to swim or building the positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, participating in sports at the Y is about building the whole child, from the inside out.
Swimming
Many of our Ys offer swim lessons for all ages, family swim, competitive swimming and diving teams, and many kinds of adaptive swim programs for kids with special needs, so we can all enjoy safely enjoy the pleasures of an aquatic environment.
Recreation
Teen centers, group exercise, triathlon training, dance clubs, skateboarding, arts—there’s a lot more than sports at the Y, giving kids the chance to exert energy, try new things, make new friends … and be kids!
Youth Sports
Baseball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, karate, basketball, gymnastics—check out the sports offerings at your Y and get in the game. Improve your skills, make new friends, be active with other kids and learn to love a sport at the Y.
Competitive Sports
The Y hosts state, regional and national championships annually, helping kids value hard work, reach for excellence and enjoy spirited competition. Swimming, diving and gymnastics are the most popular national competitive sports leagues at the Y.
Camp
Overnight, day or specialty camps at the Y share one thing: they’re about discovery.
Camping teaches self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors, and the development of attitudes and practices that build character and leadership—all amidst the fun of camp fires, bugle calls, canoeing, archery, talent shows, and meaningful relationships. Y counselors are dedicated to making sure camp is an amazing experience for every camper.
Overnight Camp
Ys offer overnight camps that run from a few days to a few weeks in scenic outdoor areas that span from New Hampshire to Hawaii. Camp programs offer a wide variety of outdoor adventures led by trained and experienced leaders who guide children and teenagers in having an unforgettable experience. Expect new and fun activities that will add not only build skills but great new friends and character values for life.
Day Camp
Day camp can offer almost all of the benefits of traditional camp—new experiences, skill building, a sense of community and lasting friendships — in rural and urban settings while allowing campers to return home each afternoon. YMCAs across the nation offer day camps for elementary children and some have offerings for pre-schoolers and teens.
Specialty Camps
Camping is for everyone, and the Y offers specialty camps that focus on particular programming like teen adventure, music, sports specialties and farm/ranch experiences and for campers with special needs. Youth with developmental disabilities, physical and mental health challenges or other impairments that may require special attention or benefit from like-situated campers have opportunities through the Y.
