Fighting Summer Learning Loss
There is no doubt that over the summer kids of low-income families have fewer enrichment opportunities than the middle class kids. Documentation shows in fact that over the summer, low income kids suffer from summer learning loss. The Greenwood Family YMCA fights that summer learning loss through our High Hopes Summer Literacy Program. This program is supported by our local United Way and through our Partners with Youth Campaign.
The High Hopes program serves kids who live in the local housing authority units and neighborhoods. The collaborative program uses a facility within the Fairfield-Winns Complex owned by the Greenwood Housing Authority. Almost 60 kids are expected and attend the three day per week program. The program serves a hot lunch and then the kids participate in literacy activities. This includes selecting books from the library’s Bookmobile, as well as other literacy based activities. The kids want to attend Mondays and Wednesdays because the highlight of their week is a Friday trip to the Y. That includes swimming and recreational activity on the Y campus!
This summer we also return to Magnolia Park two days a week to serve children in the nearby neighborhoods. This program site is underwritten by the Self Family Foundation and the Greenwood County Community Foundation along with gifts to our Partners with Youth Campaign. Another 60 children are expected!
Our focus is on the children and breaking the cycle of poverty by contributing to their education. Studies show that activity over the summer (and over the school year which we also do) in a high quality program contributes to school success and a higher graduation rate.
So, by supporting the YMCA Partners with Youth Campaign, donors are making it possible for children living in poverty to have a better chance of high school graduation! Thank you all for loving our community so much that these children are given the opportunity to better themselves and have a fighting chance to get through school despite their economic situation.
Latest News
Greenwood County Community Foundation
Donating is simple! Support our Kids Vegetable Garden through GreenwoodGives.org
Summer Youth Basketball
Expect Great Fun! Summer youth basketball rosters are now ready!
Confidence with a Splash of Fun
The Greenwood Family YMCA teaches water safety and confidence! Check out the programs we offer along with our Summer Pool Schedule!
Upcoming Programs
Teen Leaders in Training
July 15 – August 9
This program provides teenagers with exciting opportunities to build character, self-esteem, leadership skills and team development. They experience the
success of achieving goals and developing values that will promote a lifetime of healthy activities and relationships with others. THIS CAMP DOES NOT INCLUDE TEEN ADVENTURE CAMP.
AGE RANGE: 13 – 16 years old
Teen Adventure Camp
Special Outdoor Adventure
July 8 -12
The new camp is designed for the teen who wants some adventure this summer. Camp will start on Monday at Camp Greenwood and later that morning we will
head to Greenville for some hiking and other adventures. Tuesday we will leave for Atlanta, GA where we will set up camp at Stone Mountain. Each day we will participate in a community service project and as well as free time. Other activities will include Six Flags, Georgia Aquarium, Coca-Cola Museum, Atlanta Braves baseball game, Laser Light show and other activities at Stone Mountain. We will return Friday afternoon.
Check out the details on our Summer Camps Page or contact Clint Richey for more information!
EXPECT GREAT TEENS
Youth Fitness Orientation Required for Youth Ages 10-15
Fit Teens Class is held each month. This class is a requirement for you ages 10-12 to utilize the cardio equipment and for ages 13-15 to use both cardio and free weight equipment.
This requirement is a response to many concerns expressed by YMCA Members over several years. First of all, there was a time when far too many youth were simply hanging out in the fitness center ‘pretending’ to work out. This caused many problems which generally led to youth being asked to leave the fitness center for various reasons. At times, the youth were just plain disruptive. At other times, however, they just had not ever been instructed on how to use our equipment properly. Secondly, we have had for years parents who had legitimate reasons for their young teen to be in the Fitness Center and wanted to find some way for those who truly want to be there for the right reason to have access to the equipment.
That’s when we developed this program! Youth will learn the proper and safest techniques to use when working out. Best of all the course teaches that exercise can be fun and beneficial no matter what your age.
Youth ages 10-12 will attend the first night of class. Teens ages 13-15 attend both nights.
Registration is at the Front Desk and includes completing a packet of information to be brought to the first class! There is no charge for the class!
Dates for Summer 2013: (all class times are 5:30-7:30pm)
June 18 and 20
July 16 and 18
August 20 and 22
The mission of the Greenwood Family YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
United Way is a proud Community Partner