YMCA of Orange County

Childcare: the y provides a safe and inclusive before-and-after school care program which supports the needs and priorities of the child, the family, and the school. Our programs facilitate the development of the whole child through meaningful experiences, programs, and collaborations that build relationships and a sense of community. Currently, the y delivers curriculum-based programming at 80 locations throughout Orange County, riverside County and pomona valley. In addition, we provide year-round experiences through day camps and enrichment clubs. Youth experience curriculum through a variety of content areas, hands-on activities, clubs, service-learning projects, and enrichment centers.

The y's mission does not stop at traditional school or fitness setting but extends beyond to meet the needs of those in our community. Through key programs, the y offers all community members the ability to participate in programs, make new friends, build memories, and live life to their best. New horizons is a program for adults 18+ living with developmental disabilities and special needs. The new horizons program provides safe and supervised recreational outings in the community that offer social interaction, skill building, and life-long friendships. While participants are having fun, their full-time caregivers are provided with the "time-off" they need to better care for their loved ones.the y inclusion program assists children with special needs or disabilities in becoming independent, engaged, and successful in their childcare setting. Our positive and supportive approach focuses on behavior management and play, social, and self-care skills development.the y is a proud supporter of the after school education & safety ("ases") program for students. This program supports low-income families by providing a safe and educational after school environment through state grants. The y currently operates 17 ases sites, 9 in west covina unified school district, 4 in capistrano unified school district, one for the Orange County department of education and 3 in Orange unified school district. Ases students receive homework assistance, snacks, and participate in activities that support science, technology, engineering, arts, math (known as "s.t.e.a.m. "), leadership, sports, and other enrichment opportunities.the youth & government program is a six-month program in which high-school aged delegates (9th-12th grades) learn about California's government and the changes they can make in their communities. Students will role-play various positions of the California state legislature and the state court systems. Students participate by joining their high school delegation and attending weekly meetings where they discuss issues facing California and the ways the legislative and judicial branches can effect change.

Membership and health and fitness: the y provides comprehensive health & wellness programming to youth and adults. Through quality programs and partnerships that span across 6 locations and 6 cities, the community receives opportunities to engage in healthier habits, community involvement, giving back, and being connected. The y is a place where everyone can work toward their own goals by challenging themselves to learn a new skill or hobby, fostering connections with friends, and bringing loved ones closer together through family-centered healthy activities. At the y, it's not the activity as much as it is about the benefits of living healthier together as a community.

Adventure guides: the adventure guides program was developed by the y to help strengthen family relationships. The program fosters companionship and understanding and sets a foundation for positive, lifelong relationships between parent and child, ages 3-12. The program is designed to build a sense of self-esteem and personal worth through experiences in nature, at events, in play, and more. The program provides the framework to meet a mutual need of spending enjoyable, constructive, and quality time together.

Y camp has been a tradition dating back to as early as 1885. The y offers a variety of camps created to meet the needs of families. The y camps include residential, summer day camps, winter day camps, and specialty camps. Each camp is designed with the y's core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility at the center of all activities. Y camp programs are educational and experiential; they foster cognitive development, physical well-being, social growth, character development, leadership skills, and a respect for the environment. Through a variety of engaging activities and the use of natural surroundings, y camp programs encourage participants to explore and develop their interests and abilities in a safe and nurturing environment.