Program areas at Walla Walla YMCA
The Walla Walla Ymca is the largest onsite, licensed, non-school based childcare provider in the Walla Walla valley. The y operates two onsite toddler (ages 1-3) programs; one each in Walla Walla, wa and milton-freewater, or in response to community need. Both programs are part of the y's learning centers in each community where the y also provide preschool stem and social-emotional curriculum and afterschool enrichment programming for children ages 3-12. In Walla Walla, in 2023 the y completed construction of an outdoor nature based preschool using nature as the classroom and a yurt as base. The Walla Walla childcare center has 165 licensed slots and milton-freewater has 165 slots. Both programs operate throughout the school year with the exception of toddler care which operates year-round. (see schedule o)as licensed programs, eligible families may qualify for state-funded childcare fee offset. Additionally, in Walla Walla the center provides fee assistance to military families through childcare aware's military childcare in your neighborhood (mccyn); Washington is one of a small number of states that currently offer this program.
In 2023, over 500 youth ages 3-12 were served by the y in its multi-weeklong summer stem, enrichment and sports camps held in Walla Walla and college place wa and milton-freewater and athena, or. Summer programs help bridge the achievement gaps for marginalized youth in economically disadvantaged communities such as those served by the y. They teach self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills as kids grow, connect, and thrive.
The y is committed to drowning prevention both through swimming lessons and lifeguard training. In 2023, over 1,000 children learned to swim in y-sponsored and led drowning prevention and learn-to-swim programs. This included elementary school children from area rural communities whose schools partnered with the y to transport children to the y's indoor pool for swim lessons during the school year, as well as free lessons provided by the y in the summer at three rural community pools, in milton-freewater and athena, or and prescott, wa made possible through y-received grants and community pool partnerships. The y provides american red cross 1st aid/cpr and lifeguard training to students, individuals, families, educators and businesses throughout the Walla Walla valley.
2023 saw further expansion of youth afterschool programs. In addition to programs in Walla Walla, wa and weston, or, the y partnered with the athena-weston school district to provide an afterschool enrichment program for students in grades k-5 in athena, or. Additionally, children took part in y sports programs and camps, including karate, basketball, soccer, rock climbing, rock climbing and pe.
All other program services.