YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
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. Whether it be child care, early education, youth swim and sports, camp or college preparation, our programs and staff provide the support and opportunities needed to help our youth learn, grow and thrive.
SUMMER CAMP
Summer Camps at the Summit Area YMCA provide children ages 3 to 16 with safe and exciting opportunities to explore, learn, create and discover the world around them. Under the guidance of caring, enthusiastic, trained staff members, children create lasting friendships and lifelong memories, and find positive role models to look up to. $32,057in Financial Assistance was awarded to 34 youth to attend Summer Camp in 2018 where they could gain leadership skills, stay active in mind and body, build social skills, discover, grow and much more. |
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“When I lost my job, I was lost. The only clarity I had was that I didn’t want my children to go without. Ashamed and embarrassed, I turned to the Summit YMCA for financial assistance so that my son could attend summer camp. The staff at the Y were very welcoming, caring, and respectful—they made me feel like family and gave me the will to push forward. My son learned skills he wouldn’t have at home. He had fun, gained confidence as a swimmer and how to get along with others. The Y offered my family hope when I felt there was none. With the biggest smile from my heart, I say thank you to the YMCA.”
- Miaya, Summit YMCA
- Miaya, Summit YMCA
7TH GRADE INITIATIVE
Because 7th Grade is a pivotal and transitional time for many teens, the Summit Area YMCA offers free memberships to all local 7th graders in our service area. We are committed to supporting youth to make good decisions and form healthy habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle. This program provides opportunities for fitness, sports, special events, as well as the ability to socialize with peers in a safe, welcoming and supervised environment. 280youth engaged in the 7th Grade Initiative program in 2018. |
“We really like the Y because you learn how to use the gym and equipment from people who know what they’re doing and who are really friendly. We learned how to work out safely. We have a friendly competition with friends when we work out, and it’s also great that we get access to the full facility like the pool, basketball courts and Teen Center.”
— John & Brian, 7th Grade Initiative Participants
— John & Brian, 7th Grade Initiative Participants
SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMS
The Special Needs Programs at the Summit Area YMCA are thoughtfully designed for children with diverse abilities like communication, social, behavioral and learning differences to thrive in a safe, friendly and supportive environment. Our mission is to encourage, help, build and strengthen healthy physical activity, confidence, social skills and more. From yoga to structured play dates, to swim arts and crafts, to Friday Fun Nights and an annual Special Needs Prom event, participants can enjoy a variety of activities that promote health, wellness, creative enrichment, socialization and more.
205individuals with diverse abilities participated in our Special Needs programs, events and classes in 2018. |
“The Summit Area YMCA, St. Bartholomew Church and Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA partnered to offer kids with special needs more opportunities to enjoy a happy, connected life. We started off with monthly Friday Fun Night events for high school students, which are evenings where teens with special needs gather for games, activities, arts and crafts, or outings. From those events grew the idea for a prom. With the help of many volunteers and sponsors, we were able to create a magical night. It was so rewarding to see the smiles on the teens and their parent’s faces.”
- Lisa McQuilkin, Berkeley Heights YMCA Wellness Director |
"The power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. No segment in the society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm and courage of the young people."
— Kailash Satyarthi
— Kailash Satyarthi
CHILDCARE & EARLY EDUCATION
The Summit Area YMCA provides a nurturing and happy environment where children have the ability to discover their potential and develop their skills. We offer childcare and early education for children as young as 6 weeks old through Kindergarten and grade school to accommodate full time and part time schedules. Whether you enroll in our Berkeley Heights Child Care Center, Summit YMCA Extended Care Program, or The Learning Circle YMCA Child Care Center, your child’s growth and development will increase each day in our state-licensed Childcare and Early Education Centers. With caring and qualified teachers and through the use of theme-based learning and constant communication, we support enriching and encouraging each child’s individual success. $279,473given in direct financial assistance to local eligible children and families so they are able to access safe, affordable and quality childcare. "I want to thank the Summit Area YMCA for helping us afford quality childcare. The Learning Circle YMCA's daycare program is beyond my expectations—there are so many activities for the children to do and learn throughout the year. Not only has my son Declan grown educationally and socially, but the staff and the program have given me the greatest gift of all—peace of mind. Thank you so much."
— Julia, The Learning Circle YMCA |
ACHIEVERS
The Summit Area YMCA’s Achievers Program motivates and encourages young adults by giving them the support, direction, and opportunities to pursue their personal, academic, and professional goals. Strong adult role models from the community make all the difference in the life of a child — and make our program highly successful. Participants have opportunities to attend college tours, receive corporate mentoring and to experience career clusters and so much more! 51 ACHIEVERSIn 2018, Achiever Teens had the opportunity to visit:
"As a child, the Summit YMCA was like a second family for me—basketball, Achievers, summer camp and mentors. The Achievers program taught me what it was like to be strong, intelligent and have the confidence to pursue my dreams. The Y helped me grow as a person and made me realize I can have a positive impact on youth—not just to let them have fun but to be a positive role model and become some kid's super hero."
— Shabazz, Summit YMCA |
YOUTH SWIM
At the Y, our Swim Program builds strong, secure, connected and confident swimmers. It works on developing sequence based skill sets that organically build on one another. One simple sign up for a year long session date allows students to learn faster, be safer sooner, and progress quickly through the various stages until they succeed. Students also learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning benchmark skills: Swim, Float, Swim and Jump, Push, Turn, Grab and more. The Summit Area YMCA's Swim Program teaches life saving skills as well as a way to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle in swimming.
At the Y, our Swim Program builds strong, secure, connected and confident swimmers. It works on developing sequence based skill sets that organically build on one another. One simple sign up for a year long session date allows students to learn faster, be safer sooner, and progress quickly through the various stages until they succeed. Students also learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning benchmark skills: Swim, Float, Swim and Jump, Push, Turn, Grab and more. The Summit Area YMCA's Swim Program teaches life saving skills as well as a way to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle in swimming.
3,891
swim lessons were taught through our swim programs. Whether it is through our free 2nd Grade Learn to Swim program or through financial assistance, we at the Summit Area YMCA are intent on providing opportunities to learning this life saving skill and ensuring that all individuals are confident and secure in and around water. Youth swim not only encourages a healthy form of exercise but also builds self-esteem and confidence.
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“My mom told me to that I had to be active, so I chose swimming. I only knew how to stay afloat and tread water. My froggy stroke was all wonky, but the instructor helped me to correct that and taught me lots of swimming techniques. I also got to practice my social skills and make friends in the pool. The thing that makes me happiest is that I found the Y and that I’m learning to swim.”
— Souri, Summit YMCA |