Summer’s here; so is Y Camp
Summer break has just begun in San Benito County and if you’re
like me you are wondering what to do with the kids this summer. You
want a place where they will have fun, learn, make new friends, see
old friends and have new experiences.
It’s the first week of summer day camp at the YMCA. The staff
has been preparing for months to make sure all the summer programs,
activities and field trips were ready for the children and youth of
San Benito County
—the kids that look forward to coming to camp every year, along
with the kids who are experiencing day camp at the Y for the very
first time. It’s been hard work, but I see how happy and
comfortable the kids are, and that makes it all worthwhile.
Summer’s here; so is Y Camp
Summer break has just begun in San Benito County and if you’re like me you are wondering what to do with the kids this summer. You want a place where they will have fun, learn, make new friends, see old friends and have new experiences.
It’s the first week of summer day camp at the YMCA. The staff has been preparing for months to make sure all the summer programs, activities and field trips were ready for the children and youth of San Benito County—the kids that look forward to coming to camp every year, along with the kids who are experiencing day camp at the Y for the very first time. It’s been hard work, but I see how happy and comfortable the kids are, and that makes it all worthwhile.
The children at Y camp this week are learning about animals. They have made chew toys for the local animal shelter, had cheetah and ostrich races and made bird feeders for the local gardens. All of this while making great memories and lifelong friends. The campers also got to go on their first fieldtrip of the year. For several children it was their first fieldtrip on a bus.Â
Some of the comments that our parents have made this week are that the children are having a lot of fun and they come home very tired from all the activities that they are doing throughout the day. The staff works very hard to create an atmosphere of belonging for all the children. Children are introduced to each other on the first day of each week of camp. Our summer day camp is a fun, nurturing and educational environment where kids can play with new friends and engage in healthy activities while learning the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Things are not much different from when I was a kid. My parents were concerned about safety, staying active and not watching too much TV. My summer consisted of: watching my younger brother, working in the yard, riding my bike four miles to take swimming lessons and limited time on watching TV. Today as a parent I am also concerned about my children’s safety, lack of exercise and keeping their mind going during the summer. That is why my children participate in the YMCA where there is qualified, trained staff that cares about my kids, they do many outside activities and participate in fun things that challenge and keep their brains busy.
I invite you to be a parent that knows your child is safe at Y camp. Join me in knowing my kids are in a safe and loving environment that provides them with exercise, activities and fun. If you know a child that could use some good and healthy fun this summer, there’s still time to sign up for the Y’s summer day camp. The program is available on a weekly basis all summer long.
We believe every child should be able to experience camp regardless of their background or a lack of income. Financial assistance is always available. For more information, you can download our camp brochure at www.centralcoastymca.org or call me personally at 831-637-8600. Just ask for Rochelle. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the Y. I hope to see you at camp!
Rochelle Callis,
Regional vice president, YMCA of San Benito County
