Summer Fun at YMCA Summer Camps

Summer is the perfect time for children to embark on new adventures, learn new skills, and create lasting memories. YMCA Summer Camps offer a wide array of summer adventure programs designed to engage children of all ages in fun and educational activities. Whether your child is interested in outdoor sports, arts and crafts, our YMCA camp guide has something for everyone. Here’s a comprehensive look at what YMCA Summer Camps have to offer.

Summer Adventure Programs

YMCA Summer Camps are known for their diverse summer adventure programs. These camps provide a blend of excitement and learning that keeps kids engaged throughout their stay. Campers can explore activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and even archery. These programs promote physical fitness and teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.

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We are looking forward to you joining us for our 34th Annual YMCA Golf Classic! This is our largest fundraiser and benefits our youth development initiatives. Your support is important and makes a real difference! It will be wonderful to see so many great friends and supporters of the Y.

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NOW HIRING!  We’ve teamed up with the City of Worcester to help make it a #SafeSwimSummer!!!

Lifeguards and Community Aquatics positions are now available. Work for the YMCA at Worcester city beaches and pools this summer!

View job listings and apply HERE 

Call us at 774.778.5930 to speak with a YMCA representative.

Download pdf flyer

Worcester to improve lifeguard safety, partners with YMCA to fill vacancies

WBZ News

By Paul Burton

May 14, 2024 / 5:48 PM EDT / CBS Boston

WORCESTER – From indoor pools to outdoor public parks, lifeguards are in need in the city of Worcester.

Sue Swanson is a former lifeguard and member of the Columbus Park Neighborhood Association. “The need has never been greater,” Swanson said. She says as the days grow hotter these public beaches become very packed. The city announced they are partnering with the YMCA of Central Massachusetts to help deal with the lifeguard shortage.

“This is a great partnership that helps us to not only recruit but retain lifeguards in our community and provide a safe sense of community at the beach in the summer,” Worcester City Manager Eric Batista said.

Read the full article HERE

Five Days of Action: April 15-19, 2024

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of our commitment to protecting the children in our community, we’re participating in the Five Days of Action – a week-long campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower and equip us all to prevent it. By taking part in this important campaign and through implementing abuse prevention practices year round, the YMCA of Central Massachusetts is committing to the safety of all children in our community.

The Know. See. Respond. campaign is back this year, tying in three impact areas – preventing child sexual abuse at both summer camp and in youth sports, and internet safety. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, U.S. Center for SafeSport and Praesidium have shared resources to support this campaign.

Know: Summer Camp: KNOWing about child sexual abuse can help adults better understand what to look for and how to prevent it. As parents, caregivers, and trusted adults to the young people in our lives, we play an important role in protecting them from abuse. This requires our commitment to continually learn and then ask questions about the safety of our loved ones. The Y – and other youth serving organizations – implement a series of measures to keep the kids in their care safe. Next time you enroll your loved one in a new program, ask them about their child protection practices. For this summer, you can use this list.

See: Youth Sports: When we SEE boundaries being crossed or suspect a child is being abused, we can and should act quickly. Sports should be safe places for children to grow, both as people and athletes. As a parent, caregiver, coach, or volunteer, it is up to you to make sure any environment in which children in your care interact is free from abuse. Learn more about the signs and how you can help prevent child sexual abuse in youth sports at https://uscenterforsafesport.org/parents/

Respond: Internet Safety: Did you know that you don’t need evidence to report abuse—only reasonable suspicion? But even for adults, reporting abuse is hard. We don’t want to falsely accuse someone or get someone in trouble. On the other hand, reporting might be the one thing that saves a child – or children – from abuse. It is our responsibility to RESPOND to any and all disclosure, discovery or suspicion of child sexual abuse. This week we learned the importance of Know. See. Respond. and gained practical tools for preventing child sexual abuse— but our work is never done. The YMCA of Central Massachusetts is committed to year-round prevention, and we hope you are, too! Stay connected and informed by visiting https://www.ymca.org/fivedaysofaction. #FiveDaysofAction

As adults and children alike have turned to digital tools for school, work and socialization, online safety matters now more than ever. Many online dangers put children at risk, such as cyber bullying, online enticement and more. As an adult, keeping an open line of communication with any children in your care who may access online content can be key to helping prevent sexual abuse. Learn the facts, how you can keep kids safe, and how to respond to online victimization at https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz 

We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too. Check out our protection policy HERE to learn more about how we keep kids safe in Central Massachusetts.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan Visits Montachusett Regional YMCA to Celebrate Community Development Week for CDBG’s 50th Anniversary

On March 26, 2024, the Montachusett Regional YMCA in Fitchburg and the Community Development and Planning Department had the pleasure of hosting Congresswoman Lori Trahan, alongside the District Representative Michael Kushmerek to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Over the past ten years, the Spartacus program has received over $103,000 in CDBG funding. Spartacus is a program designed to help at-risk teens who are vulnerable to issues such as substance abuse, failing school, anger management, and making healthy decisions. Through a diverse offering of curriculum, including exercise, academic tutoring, community service opportunities, and workshops focused on topics like anger management, leadership development, and substance abuse, participants build their character, self-confidence as well as abilities.

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