School is now done for the year, so what to do with the children? You don’t want them at home in front of a screen for two months straight, which is why YMCA of Southern Interior BC has the answer. The organization still has spots remaining in its weekly camps for children ages four to 13, including a brand new program for pre-schoolers who haven’t started kindergarten. Camps start on Monday and run at the H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre, the Kelowna Family Y in Rutland and the new licensed child-care facility on Dilworth Mountain. YMCA child care senior manager Heather Campbell says families can expect structured, safe and engaging programming that keeps children active and inspired throughout the summer months. The new camp for four- and five-year-olds will feature morning sessions from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or afternoon sessions from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The morning session includes daily swimming with YMCA leaders, along with STEM and art activities. The afternoon session is for age-appropriate sports, like soccer drills and games, without swimming. “We’ve seen a gap in the community for camps for that age group,” Campbell says. “Parents and kiddos of that age need programming to keep them busy and engaged in the summer.” Back for the summer are the full-day recreation camps for kindergarteners to 12-year-olds, also at the H2O and Kelowna Family Y locations. They run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and feature weekly themes ranging from basketball and art to multi-sport favourites. One of the most popular is the Champions League camp, which introduces kids to volleyball, basketball, soccer and pickleball. The Discovery Lab camp is focused on science and engineering projects that keep kids learning in a fun, hands-on environment. “Mom and dad are working, and these kids need something to keep them going and keep them safe,” Campbell says. “We really want to be able to create spaces for children in our community and have nothing be a barrier.” Campbell wants every parent to know that money will not be a barrier to keeping your kids out of camp this summer. The YMCA offers financial assistance, and Campbell and her team will work with every family to ensure a fun and rewarding time is had by all. “We don’t want somebody not to register because they can’t quite afford it,” Campbell says. “I’d rather offer them something and then have them go, ‘I still can’t afford it,’ and I can go: What else can I do to support you so that your kids have a good summer?” The YMCA is also offering discounts for those who refer a friend. Both families will get $50 off a full-day camp and $25 off a half-day camp. That offer will be good until July 18. The Y also has a new MindFit Camp for ages 10-13 that will focus on equipping youth with the tools to manage anxiety in a fun and interactive camp environment. Finally, the YMCA is still filling summer camp spots at its new child-care centre on Dilworth Mountain, where the entire lower level is dedicated to licensed child-care camps. Unlike traditional recreation program camps, these are governed by Interior Health, offering a different level of structure and oversight. The camps run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with government subsidies and YMCA financial assistance available to help families with costs. While the kids don’t swim every day, the camps offer a variety of weekly themes, including Young Entrepreneurs, which challenges kids to come up with creative business ideas, plan logistics, build a shopping list, and even think about advertising and budgeting. Campers also enjoy weekly outings into the community, including trips to places like the Ben Lee Park splash pad, the library and a weekly swim. To sign up for a YMCA camp, visit its website here. This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.