What’s that building with the green roof next to the Valparaiso Family YMCA? It’s the new Y pavilion where day campers this summer will be singing, telling stories, cooking, painting, and playing games. Set to open June 13th, the pavilion will enable kids to flourish in an enriching outdoor environment. A new playground will be installed near the pavilion. Outdoor living skills, environmental education, team sports and cooperative games will round out the summer experience.
“The pavilion is an extension of the Y facilities,” said Diane Sonnenberg, Youth Services Director. “It will give us even more opportunities to help children grow spiritually, mentally, and physically.” In addition to the pavilion and playground, campers will participate in fitness activities in the Y’s Youth Wellness Room, swimming pool, and gymnasium. As they do every summer, kids will travel to fun and exciting places throughout the summer, including Baseball games, Movie camp, Museums, South Bend Chocolate Factory, and Amish Acres. A cornerstone of YMCA Summer Camp is its caring camp counselors who promote the four Y character development values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Nutritional snacks will be provided daily in the afternoon. Campers who will be in grades K-9 this Fall will be divided into age-appropriate groups and assigned a counselor for the summer. To enroll your child, please contact Sonnenberg at 219 464-9543 x7 or dsonnenberg@valpoymca.org. Details about Summer Camp and other child care programs can be found at www.ValpoYMCA.org.
The Y also offers Summer Preschool Enrichment at two locations. From 9:00 – 11:30 am, these young campers will enjoy walking field trips and exploring the outdoors. Three year olds attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and children ages 4-5 attend on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Summer Enrichment is offered at the Y facility, located at 1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, and at BridgePoint Church, 105 N. Washington St. A morning Pre-K class is also held at the BridgePoint location. Children needing all day care can participate from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. For additional information and to enroll your child at the Y facility, please call Sonnenberg. For registration information at the BridgePoint facility, please contact Melanie Hoffman at 462-0040.
Photo: The Valparaiso Family YMCA’s new pavilion will open for summer camps on June 13th. Enhancing the area will be a new playground, to be installed in May. Located on the west side of the Y facility at 1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, the pavilion and playground will enable day campers to learn, grow, and play in an outdoor environment. Call 464-9543 x7 for information.