Program areas at SWC
YMCA family life programs: Strengthening families and meeting the needs of children have always been central to the YMCA mission of building healthy spirits, minds, and bodies for all. The YMCA is proud to be a family organization. We give families a safe, reliable, and affordable place to go. Recreational opportunities such as family swim, the gym, and fun center let families relax and enjoy each other. YMCA family life programs help people grow as responsible members of families. They provide children and their parents with activities that foster understanding and companionship. Activities are planned to bring groups of families together to support each other. Parents have the opportunity to learn from each other and from their children in an enjoyable way. YMCA health and fitness: The familiar YMCA triangle emphasizes the oneness of spirit, mind, and body. YMCA health enhancement programs help achieve this unity through medically-based programs that stress proper exercise, nutrition, and stress management, avoidance of drug and alcohol abuse, and health education. Over 1,200 participants attended land and water fitness classes. Our Bridge to Bridge 5k walk/run has over 150 racers participate annually from across central Wisconsin. YMCAs offer a lifelong progression of medically-based health and fitness activities, experiences, and education, including programs for children, teens, families, and seniors. Our role in primary and preventative health has increased with the addition of programs for cancer survivors as well as those at risk of developing diabetes. Active older adult programs are offered at many different skill levels to meet the challenges that each participant needs. Over 600 individuals each month receive scholarship assistance/subsidy for YMCA memberships. This equates to over $400,000 in membership subsidy each year. YMCA aquatics: YMCA aquatics programs are part of the y's goal of building healthy living for all. In addition to providing specific swimming and water safety skills, they promote good health through regular exercise. They also promote teamwork, self-confidence, and leadership. These programs are offered at fees affordable to the community at large, with financial assistance for those who can't afford the full fee. Residing in an area full of lakes and rivers, people in this community could be subject to traumatic incidents around water. Our aquatics programs help prevent deaths and injuries. Over 1,000 youth attended swim lessons held at the South Wood County YMCA. Open swim and family swim times continue to be popular. YMCA sports and recreation: These programs promote an appreciation of one's worth. Youth sports focus on the full and equal participation of all: Every child plays in every game. YMCA youth sports programs also help to strengthen families. Parents coach teams and turn out, often with brothers and sisters, to watch kids play. Young people participating in sports build lifelong positive attitudes, habits of healthy exercise and good nutrition, and learn ways to have fun as adults. Over 1,000 children participated in youth sports programs. Gymnastics had over 400 Youth take part in classes and open gym. YMCA financial assistance: The YMCA works with area schools, churches, social workers and other United Way agencies to help identify youth, adults or families who need YMCA experiences through memberships and programs. Although we charge fees for service based upon cost of providing these services, we maintain a policy of never turning away a person because of inability to pay. All scholarships are administered on a sliding fee basis following a personal interview with YMCA staff. As of December 2023, 11,524 individuals were members at the YMCA. Of these, approximately 15% were granted a membership through annual campaign and United Way scholarships.
YMCA childcare: the central focus of all YMCA preschool and school-aged programs is to foster growth and development, not only in children but also in their parents and families. Accordingly, parents play an important role in policy and program decisions. YMCA childcare curriculum helps children develop moral and ethical behaviors, self-esteem and leadership. Y childcare allows parents to remain gainfully employed, knowing that their children are thriving in a safe, supportive environment. YMCA financial assistance policies help ensure that the YMCA is a place where children of all economic levels, from the affluent to the disadvantaged, receive the same quality care in the same setting. The South Wood County YMCA childcare department continued to meet community needs in 2023 by offering childcare to over 3,000 children, ages 1 to 12.
YMCA camping: YMCA residential and day camps develop self-confidence and self-respect when campers meet challenges and learn to cooperate. Y camping programs are educational; they promote spiritual awareness, mental development, physical well-being, social growth and a respect for the environment. Through a variety of activities and the use of natural surroundings, YMCA camping seeks to help participants achieve their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body. Knowing that a child is being cared for in a y camp program enables these parents to remain gainfully and productively employed. As in the case of other YMCA programs, financial assistance is available for those who cannot afford the customary fee, and those with special needs are welcome. Our camping programs continued to touch the lives of youth ages 5-17 with 360 children attending our camping programs this last summer.
The Adams Facility has the same purpose as Program 4A, just at a different location.