YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Empowering young people to reach their full potential.
At the Y, we continue to provide a safe haven for young individuals to belong, build confidence, and imbibe positive behaviors from formidable role models who uphold the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We acknowledge that a child's early years are amongst the most pivotal in their lives, which is why the Summit Area YMCA consistently provides nurturing and engaging environments where children can unearth their potential and hone their skills. In 2022, our Y served more than 10,500 young individuals. Our efforts span across a variety of areas including child care, early education, youth swim, sports, summer camp, college preparation, and teen programs. Our main goal is to provide the necessary support and opportunities needed to facilitate the learning, growth, and thriving of our youth.
CHILDCARE & EARLY EDUCATION
Understanding the numerous demands on contemporary families, the Y extends its support to parents through dependable, flexible options for childcare, early education, before and after school care, holiday care, and summer camp, catering to children as young as 6 weeks old. To further assist local families who are in need of childcare but may struggle with affordability, we provided over $531K in financial assistance in 2022.
In a world that continues to evolve in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summit Area YMCA has remained adaptable and committed to safety. Our classrooms buzzed with activity and nurturing educators who provided top-tier care to 427 students in our early education centers, and an additional 327 school-age students across our 8 before, after school, and remote learning care program locations.
Understanding the numerous demands on contemporary families, the Y extends its support to parents through dependable, flexible options for childcare, early education, before and after school care, holiday care, and summer camp, catering to children as young as 6 weeks old. To further assist local families who are in need of childcare but may struggle with affordability, we provided over $531K in financial assistance in 2022.
In a world that continues to evolve in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summit Area YMCA has remained adaptable and committed to safety. Our classrooms buzzed with activity and nurturing educators who provided top-tier care to 427 students in our early education centers, and an additional 327 school-age students across our 8 before, after school, and remote learning care program locations.
SUMMER CAMP
In 2022, we continued to observe the immense enthusiasm of our youth (and their parents) to relish the summer, embrace the outdoors, and build connections with friends. We were equally excited to facilitate these experiences for them. We had the privilege of caring for over 900 campers at the Summit Area YMCA, a testament to our past records. We managed 5 different camp sites across an 11-week span, offering 40 distinct day camp options and an array of enriching opportunities for our children.
In 2022, we continued to observe the immense enthusiasm of our youth (and their parents) to relish the summer, embrace the outdoors, and build connections with friends. We were equally excited to facilitate these experiences for them. We had the privilege of caring for over 900 campers at the Summit Area YMCA, a testament to our past records. We managed 5 different camp sites across an 11-week span, offering 40 distinct day camp options and an array of enriching opportunities for our children.
7TH GRADE MEMBERSHIP
Maintaining our dedication to supporting and encouraging youth to make wise decisions and develop habits conducive to a healthy lifestyle, the Summit Area YMCA continues to offer free memberships to all 7th-grade students in our service area. As a result, we enrolled over 500+ students in what turned out to be yet another remarkable year.
Maintaining our dedication to supporting and encouraging youth to make wise decisions and develop habits conducive to a healthy lifestyle, the Summit Area YMCA continues to offer free memberships to all 7th-grade students in our service area. As a result, we enrolled over 500+ students in what turned out to be yet another remarkable year.
SWIM TEAM
In 2022, our swim team dove headlong into a packed schedule, which culminated in one of our most successful seasons to date! Guided by a robust group of graduating seniors, the team surged to victory, shattering 14 team records and securing 7th place in the NJ YMCA State Championships.
Consider the story of Lizzy, a seasoned 17-year-old member of the Summit Seals, who has spent over a decade with the Summit Area YMCA. Lizzy reflects on her transformative journey, which took her from a young admirer of her older teammates to becoming a role model for the next generation of swimmers. Get to know Lizzy's ambitions, her passion for swimming, and how her experiences at the Y have shaped her outlook on life.
In 2022, our swim team dove headlong into a packed schedule, which culminated in one of our most successful seasons to date! Guided by a robust group of graduating seniors, the team surged to victory, shattering 14 team records and securing 7th place in the NJ YMCA State Championships.
Consider the story of Lizzy, a seasoned 17-year-old member of the Summit Seals, who has spent over a decade with the Summit Area YMCA. Lizzy reflects on her transformative journey, which took her from a young admirer of her older teammates to becoming a role model for the next generation of swimmers. Get to know Lizzy's ambitions, her passion for swimming, and how her experiences at the Y have shaped her outlook on life.
ACHIEVERS PROGRAM
In our Achievers Program for 2022, we mentored an eager group of 108 students through the intricacies of the college preparation process, providing guidance on applications, standardized tests, scholarships, career planning, internship opportunities, and more. These students, brimming with readiness to embrace their futures, were delighted to return to the program in person, utilize the facilities at the Summit YMCA's Teen Center, and embark on college tours. The Achievers explored a number of local colleges and universities in 2022, including University of Delaware, Howard University, George Washington University, Loyola University, Coppin State University & Delaware State University, Kean University, Montclair State University, Rider University, Temple University and TCNJ.
In our Achievers Program for 2022, we mentored an eager group of 108 students through the intricacies of the college preparation process, providing guidance on applications, standardized tests, scholarships, career planning, internship opportunities, and more. These students, brimming with readiness to embrace their futures, were delighted to return to the program in person, utilize the facilities at the Summit YMCA's Teen Center, and embark on college tours. The Achievers explored a number of local colleges and universities in 2022, including University of Delaware, Howard University, George Washington University, Loyola University, Coppin State University & Delaware State University, Kean University, Montclair State University, Rider University, Temple University and TCNJ.
HEALTHY KIDS DAY®
On July 16, the Summit Area YMCA hosted Healthy Kids Day® at the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA where over 300 participants and families relished the pleasant summer weather while engaging in activities designed to boost their children’s mental, physical, and social well-being, and fostering healthy habits to incorporate into their everyday lives.
The Summit Area YMCA tirelessly endeavors to foster children's development and provide avenues for self-expression as they continue to mature. Summer, with its break from school, can be a thrilling time for kids, but we also encourage our young community members to appreciate that learning and maintaining health can be exciting too! It's crucial to utilize every moment in a child's life as a learning opportunity to enhance their mental and physical health, setting them up for a prosperous adulthood in the years to come.
On July 16, the Summit Area YMCA hosted Healthy Kids Day® at the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA where over 300 participants and families relished the pleasant summer weather while engaging in activities designed to boost their children’s mental, physical, and social well-being, and fostering healthy habits to incorporate into their everyday lives.
The Summit Area YMCA tirelessly endeavors to foster children's development and provide avenues for self-expression as they continue to mature. Summer, with its break from school, can be a thrilling time for kids, but we also encourage our young community members to appreciate that learning and maintaining health can be exciting too! It's crucial to utilize every moment in a child's life as a learning opportunity to enhance their mental and physical health, setting them up for a prosperous adulthood in the years to come.
KID ZONE & BABYSITTING
As today's families face an increasing number of demands and a growing emphasis on early brain development, they require all the support they can get to foster the potential of their children. That's why our Kid Zone adopts a holistic approach to nurturing child development. We offer a safe and healthy space for kids to play, form new friendships, and build self-reliance while their parents engage in their workout routines.
As a complimentary service to members on family or adult memberships at the Berkeley Heights YMCA & Summit YMCA, we supplied supervised care for children of 288 families in a safe, enriching environment. Through non-structured, age-appropriate play activities, we created opportunities for children to engage, learn, and grow while their parents and guardians participated in various activities at the Y, worked out, or attended a class.
As today's families face an increasing number of demands and a growing emphasis on early brain development, they require all the support they can get to foster the potential of their children. That's why our Kid Zone adopts a holistic approach to nurturing child development. We offer a safe and healthy space for kids to play, form new friendships, and build self-reliance while their parents engage in their workout routines.
As a complimentary service to members on family or adult memberships at the Berkeley Heights YMCA & Summit YMCA, we supplied supervised care for children of 288 families in a safe, enriching environment. Through non-structured, age-appropriate play activities, we created opportunities for children to engage, learn, and grow while their parents and guardians participated in various activities at the Y, worked out, or attended a class.
