YMCA Summer Camp Helps Youth Learn And Be Active Over The Summer
By SUMMER ZIMMER
Kosciusko Community YMCA
The Kosciusko Community YMCA is offering Camp Little Eagle Day Camp, from June 8 to Aug. 7, to give kids and teens, kindergarten through eight grade, an adventurous, active and healthy summer.
This YMCA camp program is offering kids an enriching, learning experience to help them get more out of summer break — more friendships, more accomplishments and more belonging. Through a mix of fun and educational activities aimed at improving well-being, kids will experience new adventures, learn and master new skills, and share and trade interests with friends.
Working with SEER Analytics, independent impact measurement experts, to find out how camp benefits kids, the Y recently surveyed nearly 40,000 parents and caregivers with kids enrolled in camp programs nationally. Ninety-one percent of parents/caregivers said they agreed the Y’s day camp program helped kids make new friends. In addition, 81 percent said they agreed the program helped their kids discover what they can achieve, while 86 percent agreed their child felt a sense of belonging at their Y camp.
When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential, related to hunger, water safety, academics, safe spaces to play, and health. Through summer camp and other youth development programs, nationwide the Y helps over 9 million youth to “hop the gap” and achieve more, providing a safe to place to learn, stay healthy and build friendships over the summer.
Attending the Kosciusko Community YMCA’s Camp Little Eagle summer day camp is a wonderful opportunity for kids to keep their minds and bodies active. Again this summer, Camp Little Eagle will be involved in the YMCA’s Readers Program. For four weeks of the summer staff will provide 30 minutes of reading time each day for campers to read to themselves. Kids can bring their own books, books will be provided and the kids will visit the library.
Also, kids will participate in swim lessons and water safety instruction at the Y weekly. Camp will keep kids active for at least 60 minutes each day through the Coordinated Approach to Child Health program which utilizes over 300 games and 32 nutritional activities.
Camp Little Eagle will still be offering the summer school lunches on-site this year for camp participants. Campers will also take field trips almost every week to places where they have an opportunity to be active and/or engage with what they’re learning in the weekly themed lessons.
Camp Little Eagle provides a safe environment for campers from 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and will be held at the Parkview Warsaw YMCA branch on Mariners Drive this year. Themes this summer include gardening, creativity, wild animals, teamwork, water and service. Field Trips will be to the Pickin’ Patch, Pottery Bayou, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Skyzone, Paige’s Crossing and Splash House. For a schedule of themes and field trips see http://www.kcymca.org/youthdev/camp.html. And, to ensure that all youth have the chance to experience camp, the Kosciusko Community YMCA offers financial assistance to those in need. Please apply three weeks in advance.
The YMCA’s Camp Little Eagle continues to give youth an enriching, safe experience with caring staff who model positive values that help build character.
For more information about Camp Little Eagle visit www.kcymca.org/youthdev/camp.html or contact Tonya Douglass at (574) 269-9622.
Registration is going on now. Register by the Friday before the week you want to attend.