Category: child care

Four Ways to Get the Most out of Summer Camp

Posted on Updated on by Rosalyn Whickum

fOUR WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF SUMMER CAMP

As spring turns into summer, the YMCA of Greater Toledo wants to share four ways that summer camp can help give your child the experience of a lifetime.

Find Your Adventure

Summer is a time for kids to explore and expand the limits of their imagination. At the Y summer child care, every day is a new adventure!

YMCA (School-Age) Summer Adventure participants will enjoy a weekly visit to the Sylvania Outdoor Adventure program and spend all day outside on the campus of the Sylvania YMCA/JCC.

This includes activities like:

• Outdoor Swimming
• Archery
• Fishing
• Canoeing
• Hiking
• Outdoor skills and more

Find Your Spark

In YMCA summer specialty camps, kids discover hidden talents and passions they never knew they had.

Our sports and specialty camps have fun covered from basketball to soccer, legos, and ninjas. Specialty Camps focus on youth development through fun and engaging preschool, school-age, and teenagers curriculums.

Each camp specializes in a unique theme of activities, projects, and more. Some of the camps include:

  • All About Animals Camp
  • Baseball Camp
  • Fit Kids Camp
  • Science Discoverers

Find Your Circle

YMCA Storer Camps is an experience like none other. Kids come away with new skills, confidence and friendships that broaden their perspectives and strengthen their character. a wide variety of skill set tracks and activities, including:

  • Sailing
  • Horseback riding
  • Kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • High ropes course
  • Climbing tower
  • Arts and crafts
  • Disc golf

Campers also enjoy nature hikes, campfires, and making new friends, all while learning to succeed in a community environment and of course, having fun!

Find Your Friends

At any of our YMCA camps,  kids will make new friends and have tons of fun as they explore new adventures each day! 

Find your adventure. Find your spark. Find your circle. Find your Friends. Find your Y. Visit  www.ymcatoledo.org/ymca-summer/  to learn more about what the YMCA can offer your child this summer!

And in 2024, national partner Peanuts, along with outdoor-loving Beagle Scout Snoopy, are helping us increase summer camp access across the globe so more kids can experience the adventure. Learn more here.

YMCA Storer Camps

Campers ages 7 through 17 gain self-esteem and confidence by challenging themselves with a wide variety activities, including: sailing, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, high ropes course, climbing tower, arts and crafts, disc golf, target or team sports and much more. Campers also enjoy nature hikes, campfires, and making new friends, all while learning to succeed in a community environment and of course, having fun.

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Specialty Camps

Every year as a break from school approaches, parents are looking for fun activities to keep their children active and engaged. Our camps are the perfect solution! Basketball to soccer, legos and ninjas, our sports and specialty camps have fun covered. Specialty Camps focus on youth development through fun and engaging curriculums for preschool, school age, and teenagers. Each camp specializes directly with a unique theme of activities, projects and more.
Learn More

Summer Child Care

Children enrolled in the Y Summer Adventure Program will have opportunities to experience our unique program, which includes weekly hands-on field trips, an outdoor education day at the Sylvania YMCA/JCC, swimming several days each week, and STEM based programming at our highly rated facilities across the Toledo area. Summer Adventure is about learning skills, developing character, making friends, and most importantly having fun!
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Building Brighter Futures: The Rewards of Joining the YMCA Child Care Team

Posted on Updated on by Rosalyn Whickum

In the world of community service, the YMCA stands as a pillar of support, offering a wide range of programs and services that cater to the diverse needs of its members. At the heart of this mission are the dedicated individuals working tirelessly in child care, embodying the YMCA’s commitment to fostering holistic development in individuals of all ages. However, like many organizations, the YMCA is currently facing a critical challenge – a shortage of qualified staff. We want to discuss the importance of hiring staff in child care, the benefits of working for the YMCA, and the profound impact that staff can make on members and the community.

The Importance of Hiring in Child Care 

Child care is more than supervision; it’s an opportunity to instill a love of learning, provide quality care, and shape the future of our community. Without a dedicated and qualified staff, the YMCA cannot adequately serve its members, leaving a void in the community’s access to essential services.

Challenges in Hiring

 As a non-profit organization, the YMCA faces challenges in competing with the compensation offered by for-profit companies that provide similar services. The struggle to attract qualified staff, particularly in child care, poses a significant hurdle to the YMCA’s mission of community empowerment.

Benefits of working for the YMCA

 The YMCA remains an attractive employer for individuals seeking not just a job but a purpose-driven career. Employees at the YMCA become part of a community-focused organization that values personal and professional growth. Free YMCA membership, a flexible work environment, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to community well-being are just a few of the perks that make working for the YMCA a fulfilling experience.

The Impact of Staff on Members and the Community 

Qualified and dedicated staff in child care can have a profound impact on the members they serve and the community at large. While fostering a love of learning in children to promoting health, staff play a pivotal role in shaping positive experiences and building lasting connections within the community.

In the face of hiring challenges, and recognizing the crucial role they play in building a healthier and more connected community, the YMCA calls on passionate individuals to join its childcare team. The rewards of working for the YMCA extend beyond compensation, offering employees a chance to contribute meaningfully to the lives of others while enjoying the benefits of personal and professional growth. As we navigate these challenging times, the YMCA remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering individuals and communities, and it is the dedicated staff who will continue to make a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of those they serve.

Child Care Jobs

Why you should consider a role in YMCA Child Care or Aquatics

Posted on Updated on by Rosalyn Whickum

As a non-profit organization, the YMCA relies heavily on its staff to deliver quality services to its members and the community. In particular, the child care and aquatics departments require qualified staff to fulfill their duties. Without these essential team members, the YMCA would be unable to provide vital services to the community, such as instilling a love of learning in children and teaching them how to swim.

However, like many other businesses and organizations, the YMCA is experiencing a lull in hiring. The biggest needs for staff are in child care and aquatics, which are essential services that cannot be provided without qualified staff. This is where you come in. By joining the YMCA team, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of children and adults in your community.

One of the benefits of working for the YMCA is the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. As a staff member, you have the chance to help children learn and grow and to teach them valuable life skills like swimming and water safety. In addition, the YMCA offers several benefits to employees, such as free membership, flexibility, and paid time off. These benefits can make a significant difference in the quality of life for staff members.

Furthermore, working at the YMCA can be an excellent opportunity to learn applicable skills for future employment opportunities. The organization offers training and development opportunities that can help you grow professionally and advance your career. The YMCA also offers full-time positions within the organization, which can provide a stable and fulfilling career path.

Working for the YMCA can be a rewarding experience that offers the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community. By joining the team, you can help provide essential services to children and adults and learn valuable skills for your future career. If you are passionate about helping others and making a difference, consider joining the YMCA team today!

View Open Positions

The Y is Here to Help you Prepare for Back to School!

Posted on by Rosalyn Whickum

August is National Back to School Month. To prepare, the YMCA of Greater Toledo is sharing three ways you can make sure your back-to-school season is a success!

Enroll in YMCA Child Care Before and After-school  Programming Today

When school is out, the Y is in! In honor of National Back to School Month, the Y wants to remind you of all our great before and after-school programming, to ensure your child is taken care of before or after their school day! The YMCA of Greater Toledo has a total of 23 before and after-school sites. Click here to register or learn more. Also, if you’re interested in joining our Child Care team, we are hiring, and encourage you to apply today.  

Communicate Routines and Expectations

The Y wants your family to be prepared for back-to-school season! Here is your friendly reminder to make sure you have everything on your child’s classroom supply list, reset those summer bedtimes well before the big day, and communicate any changes in routine with the entire family. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and safe back-to-school season!

Attend Our Back to School Bash

From crayons to notebooks, many classrooms, and the students who fill them, need school supplies this time of year! In celebration of National Back to School Month, the YMCA of Greater Toledo wants to invite you to our Back to School Bash. Join us on Saturday, August 19 from noon to 2 pm at the Sylvania YMCA/JCC.  

We are so excited about the school year and want you to know that the YMCA is here to support you. 

Back To School Bash

Saturday, August 19 | 12-2pm
Sylvania YMCA and JCC