Oahe Young Mens Christian

Programs: Youth programswhat many children need is simply a safe place to go with caring adults who are there for them who are willing to listen and care. The first solution to this problem lies with parents, but when this is not enough or there is no one available, the ymca provides an enhanced environment for youth in our community through the out-of-school programs such as kidstop, youth sports, various other programs and camps. The oahe family ymca kidstop program serves an enrollment of 351 children and a daily average attendance of 110 children grades k-5. The kidstop program offers fun and enriching activities that include snacks, indoor & out door play, art and crafts, homework time, physical wellness activities, swimming and more. Close relationships between school staff, parents, children and the ymca staff are fostered to better meet the needs of the participants. Kids participated in basketball, football, fun and swim programs, volleyball and soccer. All for grades k-5. An estimated 18% participated with help from the ymca financial assistance program with those families paying little or nothing. The ymca will not turn any child away from a program for inability to pay. The oahe family ymca has other programs serving the youth and families of pierre and the surrounding area. These include birthday parties, kid watch, pizza/pool parties and more. These are done with minimum or no costs to the participants. Ymca camps develop self-confidence and self-respect when camper meet challenges and learn to cooperate. Y camping programs are educational; they promote spiritual awareness, mental development, physical well being, social growth and a respect for our earth and the environment. Through a variety of activities and the use of natural surroundings, ymca camping seeks to help participants achieve their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body. Our day camps are for children ranging from k-5 grades averaging 60 kids per week. These fun, healthy and challenging days are filled with activities that make the participant grow in every way and provide a low-cost program that working parents can depend on. As with all ymca programs, no child is turned away for inability to pay. Also, as with our kidstop program, camps are licensed with the state and meet all the requirements for that license.

health and wellnessin an age in which wellness is catching on as an important element in maintaining a healthy society, the oahe family ymca is a leader in our community. Women, men and teens of all ages, races, faiths, abilities and economic backgrounds join together at the y for regular cardiovascular and strength training activities. In addition to the thousands that come and workout on their own, there are also regularly scheduled classes that teach and enforce good health habits. The y land wellness classes average 400 participants each week, water classes average about 265 participants per week. Ages range from 12-65+ years of age. This is made available by the ymca's financial assistance programs that help low-income families and individuals, who are less likely to exercise and to have adequate health care, gain access to all ymca wellness programs.

aquaticsymca aquatic programs are an important part of the ymca's overall goal of building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. In addition to providing specific swimming and water safety skills, they promote good health through regular exercise. They also develop teamwork, self-confidence and leadership skills. Aquatics have been part of the ymca longer than any other organization. The first indoor swimming pool was built at the brooklyn ymca in 1885. The ymca developed institutionalized swim lessons in 1906 and continues to be a leader in swimming and other aquatic programs in the united states and across the world. The oahe family ymca operates two pools and serves ages from 6 months to older adults with swim lessons, water exercise classes, swim teams, water aerobics, lap swim and more.