Some of my favorite memories growing up involved summer activities with my family. Every summer since I can remember we would go camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, and even working in the garden was great family time spent together. Now that I have kids of my own, I also enjoy taking the time with them to make summer memories that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
This summer, I would like to challenge parents to take the time to make summer memories with your kids. There is no need to spend a lot of money; just look around the community and you can find many activities that are inexpensive or free that will help you start to make memories. Kids will never remember how expensive a vacation or activity was, but they will remember the time you spent together and the memories made while doing it.
A great place to start making those memories is at the Marion Family YMCA. A Y membership is an inexpensive and great investment in spending time together as a family; and now through June 28, the Y is offering a No Joiner Fee to make it even easier to start making those summer memories with your kids. The Y also offers financial assistance for those who demonstrate financial need, so everyone can enjoy all the benefits of the Y regardless of their financial situation.
There are a number of great summer activities going on this summer at the Y. We are offering Day Camps and Sports Camps for kids. The Day Camp will include great activities for children that include going to the Delaware State Park to observe nature, swimming at the Y, outdoor games and many other great activities that will keep kids busy and active all summer. The Y Sports Camps will include soccer and football and will focus on teaching children the fundamentals of each sport along with teamwork in a structured and positive environment.
Other great family activities to make summer memories can also include the Y Community Garden, swimming, playing basketball or volleyball, walking the indoor track on raining summer days, taking a group exercise class together, or just simply coming in to beat the summer heat with an old fashioned game of checkers. Again, it is not so much the specific activity, but the time spent together making summer memories that will last a lifetime.
I hope everyone has a safe and fun summer, and I also hope that you will take the time to make memories with your children that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
For more information on the Marion Family YMCA please visit us at the Wopat YMCA Center 645 Barks Road East, call us at 740-725-9622 or visit our website at www.marionymca.org.
Column written by Janette Cauthen, Marion Family YMCA Member Services Coordinator
About Marion Family YMCA
