YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Empowering young people to reach their full potential.
At the Y, we give young people a safe place to belong, to build confidence and to learn positive behaviors from strong role models who exemplify the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The early years in a child’s life are some of the most important in their lives which is why the Summit Area YMCA provides nurturing and happy environments where children have the ability to discover their potential and develop their skills. In 2021, our Y served over 6,000 youth. Whether it be child care, early education, youth swim, sports, summer camp, college preparation, or teen programs, we strive to provide the support and opportunities needed to help our youth learn, grow and thrive.
CHILDCARE & EARLY EDUCATION
With so many demands on today's families, parents need all the support they can get. That’s where the Y comes in, to offer trustworthy, flexible options for childcare, early education, before and after school care, holiday care and summer camp for children as young as 6 weeks old. In order to support local families in need of childcare, but couldn't otherwise afford it on their own, we provided these families in total over $250K in financial assistance.
In 2021, while keeping up to date with the everchanging safety measures and protocols surrounding COVID-19 the Summit Area YMCA didn't miss a beat. Our classrooms were full of life and nurturing teachers who provided quality care to 387 students in our early education centers, in addition to 316 school age students at our 8 before, after school and remote learning care program locations.
With so many demands on today's families, parents need all the support they can get. That’s where the Y comes in, to offer trustworthy, flexible options for childcare, early education, before and after school care, holiday care and summer camp for children as young as 6 weeks old. In order to support local families in need of childcare, but couldn't otherwise afford it on their own, we provided these families in total over $250K in financial assistance.
In 2021, while keeping up to date with the everchanging safety measures and protocols surrounding COVID-19 the Summit Area YMCA didn't miss a beat. Our classrooms were full of life and nurturing teachers who provided quality care to 387 students in our early education centers, in addition to 316 school age students at our 8 before, after school and remote learning care program locations.
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SUMMER CAMP
In 2021, we learned our youth (and their parents) could not wait to enjoy the summer, get outdoors, and socialize with friends, and we couldn't be more excited to provide that opportunity for them. Caring for over 760 campers, more than any year in our history, the SAY ran 5 different camp sites to accommodate our campers needs for 11 weeks, offering 30+ unique day camp options and a multitude of enriching opportunities for our children.
The SAY was able to provide over $37K in financial assistance to low income families to enjoy a fun and safe summer at our camps. We believe that every child should experience summer camp, make long-lasting memories, meet children their age in their area, and experience new activities, events, and summer fun!
In 2021, we learned our youth (and their parents) could not wait to enjoy the summer, get outdoors, and socialize with friends, and we couldn't be more excited to provide that opportunity for them. Caring for over 760 campers, more than any year in our history, the SAY ran 5 different camp sites to accommodate our campers needs for 11 weeks, offering 30+ unique day camp options and a multitude of enriching opportunities for our children.
The SAY was able to provide over $37K in financial assistance to low income families to enjoy a fun and safe summer at our camps. We believe that every child should experience summer camp, make long-lasting memories, meet children their age in their area, and experience new activities, events, and summer fun!
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7TH GRADE MEMBERSHIP
Through our commitment to supporting and encouraging youth to make good decisions and form habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle, the Summit Area YMCA proudly offers free memberships to all 7th grade students in our service area. In 2021, we expanded the program to include 8th graders who missed out on the opportunity to use our facilities during the pandemic in 2020. In total, we had 400+ students enrolled in this record-breaking year.
Through our commitment to supporting and encouraging youth to make good decisions and form habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle, the Summit Area YMCA proudly offers free memberships to all 7th grade students in our service area. In 2021, we expanded the program to include 8th graders who missed out on the opportunity to use our facilities during the pandemic in 2020. In total, we had 400+ students enrolled in this record-breaking year.
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SWIM TEAM
Our swim team spent 2021 in the water with a busy schedule that lead them to accomplish one of their best seasons yet! With 20 graduating seniors, our team was lead into victory breaking 13 team records and ranking 6th place in the NJ YMCA State Championships.
Additionally, Olympic Bronze Medalist Natalie Hinds hosted a clinic for our swim team. Natalie stopped by in October to give our swimmers a chance to learn from the best and, most important, to dream big!
Our swim team spent 2021 in the water with a busy schedule that lead them to accomplish one of their best seasons yet! With 20 graduating seniors, our team was lead into victory breaking 13 team records and ranking 6th place in the NJ YMCA State Championships.
Additionally, Olympic Bronze Medalist Natalie Hinds hosted a clinic for our swim team. Natalie stopped by in October to give our swimmers a chance to learn from the best and, most important, to dream big!
ACHIEVERS PROGRAM
In our Achievers Program, we mentored 108 students through the college preparation process, learning about applications, standardized tests, scholarships, career planning, internship opportunities, and more. These students, ready to take on their future, were ecstatic to come back to the program in person, work out of the Summit YMCA's Teen Center and go on college tours. The Achievers visited several local colleges and universities in 2021 including Seton Hall, NJIT, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Drew University.
In our Achievers Program, we mentored 108 students through the college preparation process, learning about applications, standardized tests, scholarships, career planning, internship opportunities, and more. These students, ready to take on their future, were ecstatic to come back to the program in person, work out of the Summit YMCA's Teen Center and go on college tours. The Achievers visited several local colleges and universities in 2021 including Seton Hall, NJIT, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Drew University.
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HEALTHY KIDS DAY®
On July 31, the Summit Area YMCA hosted Healthy Kids Day® at the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA and the Springfield Community Pool. Thanks to a $8,500 grant through the NJ YMCA State Alliance, we were able to provide a free, outdoor event where over 100 participants and families enjoyed the nice, summer weather while taking part in activities that stimulate their children’s mental, physical, and social well-being while creating healthy habits to practice in their everyday lives.
The Y strives to enable children’s development and find ways to express themselves while they continue to grow. Summer is a fun time for kids as they are out of school for a few months, but we encourage our youth community members that learning and being healthy is fun too! It’s important to use every moment in a child’s life as a teaching moment to better their mental and physical health as they grow into adulthood in years to come.
On July 31, the Summit Area YMCA hosted Healthy Kids Day® at the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA and the Springfield Community Pool. Thanks to a $8,500 grant through the NJ YMCA State Alliance, we were able to provide a free, outdoor event where over 100 participants and families enjoyed the nice, summer weather while taking part in activities that stimulate their children’s mental, physical, and social well-being while creating healthy habits to practice in their everyday lives.
The Y strives to enable children’s development and find ways to express themselves while they continue to grow. Summer is a fun time for kids as they are out of school for a few months, but we encourage our youth community members that learning and being healthy is fun too! It’s important to use every moment in a child’s life as a teaching moment to better their mental and physical health as they grow into adulthood in years to come.
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KID ZONE & BABYSITTING
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. That’s why our Kid Zone focuses on holistically nurturing child development by providing a safe and healthy place to play, make new friends and build self-reliance while parents workout.
A complimentary service to members on family or adult memberships at the Berkeley Heights YMCA & Summit YMCA, we provided 120 families supervised care for children in a safe, enriching environment through non-structured, age appropriate play activities while parents and guardians participated in activities at the Y, worked out or took a class.
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. That’s why our Kid Zone focuses on holistically nurturing child development by providing a safe and healthy place to play, make new friends and build self-reliance while parents workout.
A complimentary service to members on family or adult memberships at the Berkeley Heights YMCA & Summit YMCA, we provided 120 families supervised care for children in a safe, enriching environment through non-structured, age appropriate play activities while parents and guardians participated in activities at the Y, worked out or took a class.
