Greater Wyoming Valley Area Ymca

Programs: Health and well being for all programs - the ymca views health holistically: a healthy person has unity of body, mind and spirit. The ymca has identified the growing national obesity rates in this country as a critical social issue that must be addressed and our health and well being programs are designed to help people develop new skills and grow in spirit, mind, and body by setting realistic goals for self improvement and disease prevention through an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, stress management, and health education. Ymca programs promote interaction, teamwork, and development of moral and ethical behavior, social skills, and self esteem. The ymca serves all ages, abilities, races, nationalities, and religions and provides financial assistance to those who need it. The ymca in wilkes-barre is the largest youth service agency in the wyoming valley area of pennsylvania. It is visited daily by approximately 1,500 people of which half are children. Healthy kids' day activities and youth fitness programs are now part of the ymca activities for children. Youth programs include before and after-school and evening programs that are designed to keep children, ages five through twelve years old, active and healthy. Programs offered include basketball, indoor soccer, t-ball, karate, gymnastics, swimming, wrestling, and arts and crafts. Teenagers also have a number of opportunities available from the various leagues and programs offered including gym activities, swimming, exercise, and church youth groups. The ymca also participates in the silver sneakers program, whereas the older adults of the community are able to have access to various exercise programs, swimming programs, and social gatherings. In 2017, the ymca's health and well being for all programs provided financial assistance to over 1,600 members and participants in the community and provided financial assistance in the amount of $129,169.

child care programs - the ymca's child care programs offer high quality activities for preschool and school age children from all segments of the community. The ymca offers a variety of state licensed childcare programs, both full and part-time, which provide a safe and nurturing environment where youth can develop self-esteem, good values, and an appreciation of charitable service. Woven into the fabric of the ymca mission is a commitment to strengthening families. The ymca's childcare programs include counseling of troubled youth and parents, dealing with runaway teenagers, assisting child victims of physical and sexual abuse, and programs that help parents learn more about how to raise children that are happy and healthy in spirit, mind, and body. The ymca partners with other community agencies such as the united way,community foundations, and government agencies so that financial assistance is available for those who cannot afford to pay. In 2017, the ymca's child care programs provided financial assistance to over 370 children in the community and provided financial assistance in the amount of $532,949.

camping programs - the ymca has an 1,100 acre site located in the pocono mountain area which is used for its camping programs. The residential and day camping at camp kresge and day camping at francis slocum state park offer adventure and learning activities that provide challenge, education, and promote spiritual awareness, mental development, physical well being, social growth, and self-respect. The camps provide a reverence for nature and respect for the inter-relatedness of all living things on earth. The camps are open to all regardless of income or special needs, so that children appreciate diversity, become community leaders and develop lifelong values. The camping programs for children ages six to twelve years old include hiking, archery, boating, and outdoor education. Camp kresge also hosts camp for children with asthma and the state police troop "p" camp cadet program. Family weekends and special weekends such as halloween camp are also part of the camp kresge programs. In 2017, the ymca's blue sky camp program provided financial assistance of $190,000 to over 3,800 students and the other camping programs provided financial assistance to over 486 camper weeks in the community and provided financial assistance in the amount of $55,325.