by Rachel Everett-Fry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Municipality of North Grenville is partnering with the YMCA of Eastern Ontario to provide a Summer Day Camp in North Grenville. The Y Day Camps offer a variety of activities, including crafts, biking, sports, and dancing, to “enhance social and leadership skills” in youth. The YMCA, also offers assistance to families with a limited financial situation who wish to enroll their children in camp. This year’s Camp is being offered after positive feedback from residents after summer of 2019 programming.
Council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the YMCA of Eastern Ontario for the operation of the Summer Day Camp program in 2021 during a public meeting on June 15. Following the recommendation of Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Mark Guy, the Municipality took on responsibility for, “all facility and utility costs related to the camp program.” Council did so with the desire to forge an ongoing relationship with the YMCA and to, “further establish their presence in North Grenville as a leader in offering childcare programs for our community.”
Councillor Kristin Strackerjan noted that the programming currently being offered is for children up to 12, and that teens in North Grenville seem to fall into a “service gap.” Mayor Nancy Peckford agreed, stating that there are currently “older teens who don’t have a place in North Grenville.” However, ongoing partnership with the YMCA could lead to the development of new programming for teens. Of the relationship between North Grenville and the YMCA, Mayor Peckford said this is, “Hopefully just the beginning!”
Due to COVID-19, only 15 participants are allowed per program per location. But as Director Guy noted, these numbers may increase as, “restrictions get loosened.” For more information about the YMCA Summer Day Camps, visit:
https://eo.ymca.ca/photos/custom/What%20We%20Offer/SummerCampGuide_2021_Online.pdf