BRATTLEBORO-Meeting Waters YMCA, now in its 130th year of service to youth and families, will be running its day camp program as it has each summer since 1965. More than 15,000 area children and teens have attended Meeting Waters YMCAs camps over the past 60 years.
At Meeting Waters YMCA's Y Day Camp, eight one-week sessions between June 30 and Aug. 22 will be offered for youth who have completed kindergarten through age 13.
Y Day Camp takes place at the regional Y's 52-acre Lewis Day Camp facility, located on Route 5 in Springfield, just off Interstate 91. Bus service is provided to and from camp each day from Brattleboro, Putney, Westminster, Bellows Falls, Chester, and Springfield, as well as Walpole and Charlestown, New Hampshire.
Emily Hewes of Walpole has returned as the director of youth development and will serve as camp director this summer. She has served in various roles at the Meeting Waters YMCA since she began as a camp counselor in 2008, including as assistant camp director, and Y-Aspire staff.
"We are looking forward to continuing our strong emphasis on relationships, achievement, and belonging; character development; and social-emotional learning through a fun, active camp experience," Hewes said in a news release. "Y camp is a place where kids can develop skills, gain confidence and build new friendships."
Through a partnership with WNESU Farm-to-School Café, Y Day Camp is a Federal Summer Food Program site. All campers - regardless of town of residence or family income - qualify for a free healthy breakfast and lunch each day.
And, to ensure that all youth have the chance to experience camp, Meeting Waters YMCA offers financial assistance to those in need. To help send kids to camp this summer, donations may be made to the Y at meetingwatersymca.org/support.
For more information about Y Day Camp or the annual Reach Out to Youth fund drive, visit meetingwatersymca.org or contact their office at 802-463-4769.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.