Beckley, WV (WOAY) – The YMCA of Southern West Virginia is running a full slate of youth programs this summer, aimed at keeping kids active and off their screens while school is out.
Mat Bishop, chief operating officer of the YMCA of Southern West Virginia, said the goal is to give families a reliable option through the summer months.
“We want kids to stay active all summer long,” Bishop said. He added that parents regularly thank the Y for the alternative, “because otherwise they’re in the bedroom on their gaming system.”
At the center of the lineup is a day camp that runs until about a week before the school year starts. It is staffed by college students and Raleigh County teachers, and it fills the day with physical activities, STEM projects, a 4-H agricultural project and field trips to spots including the Beckley Art Center and the West Virginia State Museum.
Separate from the day camp, the Y is holding camps for soccer, basketball and volleyball. Bishop said those sports camps are led by collegiate athletes and are open to kids at any skill level, with intermediate and advanced tracks available.
“It is open to anyone who’s interested,” Bishop said.
Registration is open now for the day camp and the basketball and volleyball camps. Soccer is already underway, but the Y says late sign-ups are still welcome.
The full schedule is available at ymcaswv.com.
