From summer camps to crazy good classes, there’s a lot that the Y is known for. But! Did you realize how much community events, arts and crafts and summer fun activities are happening at the YMCA this season? The YMCA Summer camps are in full swing and offer a wide range of skills, activities and opportunities for kids with an emphasis on leadership and self-confidence building.
We are a Y family. The YMCA family programs have been a big part of our kids’ growth and where we’ve met good friends, for them and us! We’ve found help there when the twins were tiny, took safety classes, swim lessons and even met Santa for the first time at one of their family events.
Essay Contest for Why You Love the Y!
We have been going to the YMCA since before the twins could walk. I talked to a few families in the homeschool P.E. classes, the teen classes, sports and moms who love the baby gym so they can work out. Grab this writing prompt and journaling pages that might be helpful here.
I realized there are many reasons we all love the Y and wanted kids to chime in, too! To be included write a 300-word or less essay on “Why I love the Y…” and turn it into info@vegaskidszone.com by Oct. 30. We’ll choose a winner by a panel of professional judges and announce the 3 winners by Nov. 7. First place wins a $50 Amazon gift card, 2nd place is $25 and 3rd place is $10 to a local eatery.
Why I love the YMCA topic suggestions:
- What would a family membership mean to you and your family?
- Of the free family events, parents night out for $10 or less and other non-sports programs, what are a few of your favorites?
- After discussing what the YMCA has meant or what you like about what they offer, what else would you like to see at the YMCA that would help you and/or your family?
- What YMCA programs have you been to or would like to see at one of the local YMCAs?
- How has the YMCA affected you or friends in a positive way?
Work at the Y
This is a great opportunity for kids to learn real-time job skills as they shadow the trained Y lifeguards to get a sense of what it is like to work as a lifeguard. The YMCA also has a volunteer program that helps build leadership and job skills for tweens and teens. Y Youth leader Zane Nute was featured last year in the Vegas Kids Zone Spotlight for his stellar work ethic and generosity.
Wide Range of Classes for All Ages
When it comes to YMCA family programs, fitness classes and sports, there’s much to choose from at each location. They offer everything from yoga, to spinning, bellydancing, karate, gymnastics, basketball, bodypump and pickleball. Each instructor is incredibly helpful and make sure that each and every person in the class is enjoying themselves, working out to their full potential and getting the most that they can from their time at the Y.
They have a few homeschool classes, including P.E. and swim team!
The opportunities range from infants to sassy seniors, like my mom! We got her to sign up recently and now that our littles are tweens they work out with her. They keep her entertained on the boring stationary bike and she surprises them with her weight lifting advancements each week.
Meet New Friends
The Y’s youth programs allow kids to explore their interests and hone their skills, and parents have made connections as kids paddle, bounce, dribble and dunk in a wide range of classes.
The YMCA’s friendly and community-oriented environment brings people together in many ways.
The YMCA of Southern Nevada is a gym, place to meet and make friends and community hub. The community-oriented environment brings families together. Parents and kids make connections in classes, special events and more. If you are new to the area, joining the YMCA can help you make friends and learn more about all there is to do in this sprawling valley.
Child Care All Ways
The Y offers a broad depth of childcare services while you work out. But, don’t waste the opportunity to find classes your littles will love while you work out and get some much-needed me or parent time. They provide quality care for kids in a safe space that is filled with fun things to climb, do and create. The Y staff nurture kids’ development and build crucial foundational skills, build relationships, make friends and teach tools to build their self-reliance.
Life is incredibly busy for parents, which is why the YMCA provides a broad depth of child-care services. We provide quality care for children in a safe space helping them nurture their development and build crucial foundational skills. We help them learn how to communicate more effectively, build trusting relationships, and give them the tools they need to build their own self-reliance.
Opportunity to Get Involved in Your Community
As a non-profit organization, the YMCA holds family events such as parent’s night out, outdoor hiking, Y Family Time and drives. There are many ways that the YMCA gets kids and parents involved in their community. They help kids succeed academically with camps and classes, keep the environment clean with hikes and programs and make sure the rest of the community stays active and healthy.
As a member of the Y, you get the chance to get involved, get active, meet new friends, volunteer and do your part to make your community the best that it can be!