By Staff
Special to the Advance
For both parents and kids, it's never too early to start thinking about plans for the summer. Parents want to be sure their children are safe, supervised, and engaged in activities that keep their kids' minds and bodies active after school lets out for the summer. Youngsters look forward to the free time, and simply want to have fun and learn something new. YMCAs have been serving communities for more than 150 years, and the Atmore Area YMCA day camp is a perfect option for parents who are looking for a safe and fun place for their kids to build healthy mind, body and spirit this summer.
"Children are our greatest treasures and greatest responsibility," said Leslie Odom, child care director. "YMCA day camp helps kids grow positively, meet healthy role models and learn good values-all while having fun. We not only provide memories that last a lifetime, but we also assure parents that their kids are in good hands during the summer."
Day camp for youth-the most popular program offered by YMCAs-provides youngsters with a unique opportunity to connect with their peers and their community. At the Atmore Area YMCA day camp, our campers enjoy a broad range of age-appropriate programs, events and activities, from arts and crafts to swimming and field trips.
YMCA day camps provide a wealth of opportunity for kids to get active through play. This is especially important as rates of overweight and obesity among youth have increased dramatically over the past 25 years. In fact, a 2005 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that school-age children should participate in moderate to vigorous activity for a minimum of 60 minutes a day. YMCA day camps help kids build healthy habits while having fun.
"The need is as strong today as ever before," Odom said. "Being more physical activity through play helps children better manage stress, succeed in school, reduce stress, build energy and, most of all, learn skills that encourage a lifetime of activity."
YMCAs today are collectively one of the nation's largest providers of camping programs with 265 resident camps and nearly 2,000 day camps across the country, including 120 specialty camps for kids with disabilities. YMCAs serve nearly 400,000 youngsters and families each year through their resident camping programs. Another 600,000 enroll in YMCA day camps annually. YMCAs also employ nearly 12,000 teenagers each summer as lifeguards and camp counselors.
"For more than 150 years, YMCAs have developed initiatives and programs that have helped improve the physical, social, emotional and spiritual health for millions for Americans in diverse communities across the country," said Tammy Graham, executive director of the Atmore Area YMCA."Participation in YMCA day camp provides kids and families with a chance to build friendship and community, a sense of well-being and confidence and improved physical, mental and cognitive abilities."
Call Leslie Odom or Tammy Graham at 368-9622 to learn more about the Atmore Area YMCA Summer Day Camp program for children 5 to 12 years old.
The Atmore Area YMCA has provided service and programs area residents for over 24 years. Everyone is welcome and no one turned away for inability to pay.