Register kids now for summer camps offered by YMCA

Registration for YMCA summer camps is now open, and space is filling up fast. Whether a child is interested in getting crafty, hopping on the Hogwarts Express or travelling in time, the YMCA of Okanagan has it all.

A plethora of wacky kids’ camps are being offered to get children active and engaged while keeping their minds stimulated over the summer months.

“It is important that kids don’t lose momentum during their summer down time,” says child and youth manager Tina Bennett. “It is common for children who haven’t been engaged in active learning through the summer to struggle to catch up with their peers during the first couple months of the school year. Our goal is to eliminate this learning gap by offering programs that are fun, educational and just silly enough to capture and keep kids’ attention.”

For a child, summer camp is more than a place to go during the day. It is an experience that will last a lifetime. Kids build friendships, explore passions, learn critical life skills and take time away from modern technology, such as the television or tablet, to engage in active, creative play.

The Y’s summer programs include morning swim and sport camps, afternoon theme camps, aquatic camps, mini-preschool camps and weekly full-day licensed child care options, which also feature weekly themes, trips and more.

Theme camps include ART-rageous, Welcome to Hogwarts, Fossil Finders and many more. Teens and preteens who want to build valuable aquatic skills can take the weeklong SEAL team aquatic camps and obtain training as a lifeguard. They can also jump on the bus for Okanagan adventure trips on Fridays and get active with rope courses, waterslides, hiking and more.

There are endless opportunities for kids to be kids at the Y this summer, and the good thing is that these programs are offered at numerous locations throughout the city including the Kelowna Family YMCA, H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre, Mission Creek Alliance Church and Little Scholars at Okanagan College.

Parents are urged to secure their spots as soon as possible. The YMCA of Okanagan also offers financial assistance for families who can’t afford camps on their own.

For more information, visit ymcaokanagan.ca/summer. To register for one of these available options, call 250-491-9622 to reserve a spot.