Miller Family YMCA Summer Day Camp: Helping Children Thrive

March 29, 2011 - PRLog -- NEWBURY PARK, CALIF.--The Miller Family YMCA, serving Newbury Park, is gearing up for a fun summer day-camp program. Camp is for kids in preschool through sixth grade. Leadership and counselor-in-training programs are available for older kids. Camp runs from June 13 to August 26 and takes place at the Miller Y (320 Via Las Brisas) facilities.  
   Discovery Camp is for the littlest of campers (ages 2 1/2 through those children entering kindergarten in fall). Activities revolve around weekly themes and include outdoor games, water play, crafts, songs and skits. Campers participate in character building activities to enhance social, emotional and academic skills. Campers can attend two, three or five full or half days.

   Explorer Camp is for campers entering first through sixth grade in fall. Camp includes daily swimming and water play, hikes in the local mountains, sports, games and one special event a week. Children participate in activities to enhance social and leadership skills. Campers can attend three or five days a week.

   Swim Lessons are available for all campers for $12 per lesson. Children will receive their lessons once per week during camp swim time.

   Leaders-in-Training is for kids entering seventh and eighth grade in fall. During the week, teens develop basic leadership skills, enjoy team-building activities and receive training in behavior and risk management, supervision, and water safety. "As LITs progress, they are given greater opportunities to lead our campers and participate in more training," says Veronica Rodarte, Miller Y program director. "It's a rewarding experience that teaches responsibility and leadership."

   Kids in ninth and tenth grades can participate in the Y's Counselors-in-Training program. Older teens are placed with day camp groups and assist trained staff. Their duties include leading group games, coordinating arts and crafts projects, and developing relationships with campers. Both LITs and CITs receive CPR and first aid training the first week of camp.

   "A YMCA camp experience is like no other," says Rodarte. "Summer camp is a great place to play, have fun and make new friends. The Y also believes it's the right time in young people's lives to encourage social responsibility and provide constructive, enriching opportunities and skills so they can make positive choices that will help them succeed in life."

   Extended care is included in camp fees. For a full summer day camp brochure, go to http://sevymca.org/miller/news.cfm, click on the Miller Family YMCA branch and then "YMCA Hot Button" or contact the Y at 805-480-0309, camp@millerymca.org. Campers can also sign up online at www.sevymca.org.

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With branches in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village and Simi Valley, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA serves the communities of Newbury Park, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Rosa Valley, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park.