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[title]Here in NYC, our kids are undeniably smart, savvy and curious. Why not give them a stellar camp experience that encourages all of those wonderful traits? At YMCA camps, your crew will master new skills and fun challenges through play—and build strong friendships that last a lifetime. Think your kids are up for the ultimate summer camp experience? Here’s what YMCA can do for your family:
*Find a camp near you, and sign up today!*
1. Exposure to diversity
NYC is a melting pot—why shouldn’t your kid’s summer camp offer similar diversity? During a YMCA summer, your crew will meet children from all over the city, United States and even the world. Some campers and staffers are traveling from abroad! YMCA camp helps kids deepen their understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity, and introduces campers to the uniqueness and beauty of various cultural groups.
2. Leadership skills
Independence is learned at a young age, and summer camp gives kids the wings to make their own choices, solve problems and develop critical thinking skills. YMCA’s staffers and camp programming encourage campers to stand tall and go forth confidently, offering leadership opportunities for kids within the camp environment.
3. Lifelong friends
Not all buddies are made in the classroom. With a more adventurous summer schedule and plenty of teamwork comes the opportunity to make fast friends! Campers get to be silly, relax and truly be themselves, and with fun problem-solving opportunities at every turn, they’ll get to learn how to positively collaborate and communicate with others.
4. Social and emotional learning
SEL, or Social and Emotional Learning, is at the center of YMCA’s programming. You’ll find that many of YMCA’s summer camp activities focus on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making—keys to success both in school and in the real world. The Y’s Youth Development philosophy is that kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve!
5. Tackle summer learning loss
Say goodbye to summer brain drain with fun programming that keeps kids on their toes. YMCA’s many summer programs are specifically designed to help children both retain and build upon the academic skills they’ve learned in school. Expect to hear them talking about reading, STEM, healthy living and art when they come home, all of which are incorporated into the camp’s curriculum by staff with youth development and education backgrounds.
6. Try new things in a safe environment
Discovery and adventure are king at summer camp, and YMCA delivers exposure to new age-appropriate activities! In the process, kids and tweens get to find a new hobby, interest or something that they’re really good at. How cool is that? Even better, they’ll learn about all of this great new stuff under the care of staff with 40 hours of camp-specific training for the best experience possible. Last but certainly not least, all camps are licensed by the Department of Health and accredited by the American Camping Association.
7. Unplug from technology
YMCA wants campers to put down the phone/tablet and simply be kids! At camp, they’ll unplug, explore and really get into the camp spirit. They’ll be so busy that they’ll actually be tired at the end of the day—the good kind of tired, from full days packed with energetic and engaging activities that complement their education during the school year.
8. Endless camp options
There’s something for everyone at NYC’s YMCA, and whether your child is interested in sports or the arts (to name just a few), you’re sure to find a program that’s conveniently located near your home or work, as well as programs that fit your camper’s abilities. Enroll for just a few weeks or the entire summer—you decide!
9. The YMCA is a camp for everyone
Every child, no matter their family’s financial circumstances, should be able to partake in the best summer fun the YMCA has to offer. YMCA offers camps all over the city and a sleepaway camp just 90 minutes outside NYC, and it awards scholarships every summer to campers based on their families’ annual income, making summer dreams a reality. Want to apply? Pick up a scholarship application at a YMCA branch or download the application at ymcanyc.org.
10. More than 150 years of camp spirit
Can other camps say that? The YMCA’s been around for a long time now, and its energy, magic and fantastic facilities—as well as its spectacular campers—make each summer even better than the next. They’ll laugh, sing and play their way through the season and return to school in the fall with stronger self confidence and leadership skills.