Central Coast YMCA summer day camp 2018 participants during an outing to the beach. Photo courtesy of Crystal Canchola and the YMCA of San Benito County.

Information provided by Scott Tebo with the Central Coast YMCA.

The Central Coast YMCA is offering summer day camp to help keep kids and teens adventurous, active, engaged and healthy all summer long. YMCA camp programs offer youth fun and unique experiences with an opportunity to explore the outdoors, meet new friends, discover new interests and create memories that last a lifetime. The Central Coast YMCA has branches in Hollister, Watsonville, Salinas, Soledad, and Monterey.

“It’s imperative that kids stay engaged socially, physically and academically throughout the summer. Summer camp is a wonderful way to ensure that,” says Amy Grames, executive vice president of the Central Coast YMCA. “In our Summer Day Camps, kids are in a welcoming environment where they can belong, they’re building relationships, developing character and discovering their potential. We really encourage parents to give their kids the gift of camp to keep them active and engaged all summer long.”

In a recent press release, Youth Development Director Robin Schnekenburger said there are five reasons why children and teens should attend summer camp:

  1. Adventure: Summer camp is all about a wide variety of new experiences and exploring the outdoors. YMCA camps have a new adventure for every child and teen.
  2. Healthy Fun: Day and resident camps offer fun, stimulating activities that engage the body and mind, and also help children and teens learn the importance of nutrition to help improve their healthy eating habits.
  3. Personal Growth: While in the welcoming environment of camp, youth have a chance to learn new skills, and develop confidence and independence by taking on new responsibilities and challenges. Camps offer cognitive learning and social-emotional development opportunities for achievement.
  4. Friendships: Amid the fun of camp games, songs, swimming, and talent shows, campers meet new friends and strengthen existing friendships.
  5. Memories: Summer camp is an unforgettable experience that will give each camper memories (and camp traditions) that will last a lifetime. Youth return to school with plenty of camp stories to share!

The Central Coast YMCA offers financial assistance to those in need. Those interested in helping send kids to camp this summer can donate by contacting the local branch or calling the Central Coast YMCA at (831) 757-4633.

For more information, visit www.centralcoastymca.org or contact the local YMCA Branch.

The Central Coast YMCA was formed in 1989 with the merger of two independent YMCAs: the Salinas Community YMCA (founded in 1921) and the Watsonville Family YMCA (founded in 1898). The YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula, which began as a USO in 1941, merged with the Central Coast YMCA in 1990. The South County YMCA became the fourth branch of the Central Coast YMCA in 1998 and the YMCA of San Benito County followed as the fifth branch in 1999. Today, the Central Coast YMCA employs 30 full-time and about 375 part-time employees whose goal is to serve approximately 30,000 people within Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties.