Summer break is here! To help get your kids active and away from the electronics, the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offers a variety of physical, fun and relationship-building activities while school is out (and throughout the entire year!).
Here are 10 ways to keep your kids healthy with the YMCA this summer:
1. Swimming
The YMCA’s indoor and outdoor pools are filled with lots of family-friendly activity during the warmer months. For the beginning swimmer, the Y offers swim lessons for all ages and needs of children taught by certified instructors. For the advanced swimmer, their competitive (youth and adult) teams take skills to the next level by competing locally, regionally and nationally. Plus, there’s a synchronized swimming team for your little dance/gymnastics lovers. However, if you are just looking for a fun swim, your kids will use up all their energy by splashing around for hours.
2. Fitness
Create a lifetime love of fitness at the YMCA. Children and teens will enjoy fun and energetic classes (group fitness, fitness center, dance, etc.) while learning how to create healthy lifestyles. Plus, they will learn how to be positive and build confidence while improving their cardiovascular and nutritional health.
3. Running
It’s all about girl power! Girls on the Run is a running based transformational program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade. Small teams of 8-20 girls will meet two times a week for 12 weeks to learn life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. Certified coaches inspire and motivate the girls to become physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event.
4. Sports
From soccer to cheer, gymnastics to martial arts, the YMCA will keep your child active while learning how to have fun as a team this summer. Sports at he Y are all about teamwork, personal achievement and friendship.
5. Dance
At YMCA dance programs, students learn through movement, encouraging freedom of expression, self-confidence, poise through performance, and the love of dance. Children will thrive as a dancer and grow as an individual. In addition to helping them be more graceful, YMCA dance programs promote discipline, respect, and responsibility. Classes, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and Irish dance are offered for a wide range of ages and they include opportunities for parent participation, dress up, rhythmic movement and more.
6. Day Camps
The YMCA offers a variety of day camps for children of every age and ability. Whether it’s preschool, teen, sports or the arts, there is a day camp that will interest every child in your family. The Y’s day camps offer children positive developmental experiences and encourages them build bonds and confidence through skill-building activities suited to their age. Day campers will explore creativity, teamwork and leadership in a wide range of physically active programs that influence lifelong healthy living. They will enjoy an outdoor environment where they develop an appreciation of nature, local and global cultures and gain an appreciation for others different from themselves.
7. Overnight Camps
Is your child ready for an overnight summer camp? The YMCA provides Introduction and Traditional overnight camps for first-time campers or seasoned pros. We especially love the Y’s “Intro to Overnight” camp. At just one night, it’s a great introduction to camp to see if a week-long Camp Ernst experience is right for them. They’ll stay in a cabin with counselors, eat yummy camp meals and experience a sampling of awesome Camp Ernst activities!
8. Horse Camp
Horseback riding can be a wonderful summer activity, but what about a horse camp? For children ages 10-15, there is Equine Adventure… perfect all those campers that want to spend every waking hour at the barn. Your child will spend their day at the barn doing daily arena lessons, trail rides and barn chores. Campers will get a daily time at the pool to cool off. Evenings will include some of the traditional camp evening programs, plus presentations from local Equine professional! Or for your experienced horse campers, there is Advanced Ranch Camp. This camp will follow the Equine Adventure schedule and will be tailored to those advanced riders! A horseback overnight during the week, as well as some serious arena and trail work, are just some of what you can expect.
9. Kids’ Night Out
Drop the kids off at 6 p.m. and pick them up the next morning at 9:30 a.m. for an evening a fun and new friendship! Your campers will stay overnight in Camp Ernst’s Lakeview Lodge with other children their age and college aged counselors. The fun includes games, crafts, campfire, hikes and more. Dinner and breakfast will be served. Campers ages 6-15 are welcome to register.
10. Birthday Parties
The YMCA has amazing indoor and outdoor pools, water parks, and splash pads, along with gymnasiums, nature trails, and party rooms that offer the perfect location for a birthday party or summer event.
There is so much to do this summer to keep healthy and active at the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky. Your kiddos will be happily exhausted after all the awesome variety of sports, camps and activities! Space may be limited, so sign up today for lots of summertime fun!