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Health & Fitness

Great Things Happen When Kids Go to Camp

What would summer be without fun? Help make camp come true for a deserving child.

Laurie had never been in this situation before. Now here she was grappling with a cancer diagnosis and feeling the pressure from huge medical bills and the repercussions from a painful divorce that would force her to sell their family home.

She had always been able to provide for her children, William and Grace. But things were different now. She reminisced of a time when her children would laugh and be carefree.

Finally, it came to her: “When they have camp, they have smiles.” She wanted that so much for them, so she turned to the Y - a familiar friend.

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Summer camp is a special time at the Y's 17 branches and program centers. Children, 3 – 15 years old, find themselves energized through more than 70 camp options, ranging from aquatic, air and space, beauty school camp and everything in between. Camp kicks off June 10 and runs through August 30.

When a child goes to camp, great things happen:
•    Fitness becomes fun. Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic across America. At camp, children get to play, exercise, and rediscover the joy of getting and feeling fit.
•    Learning is reinforced. Too many kids spend the summer forgetting what they learned during the school year. Children at camp are stretching their minds every day.
•    Keeps kids out of trouble. Camp keeps kids focused on positive activities and away from crime and violence.
•    They get to be kids. Camp offers a safe place to grow, make friends, gain confidence and social skills. Camp is a chance to grow up connected, happy and well adjusted.

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Although camp is available to all, there are families like Laurie, William and Grace, who are facing enormous challenges and need help. The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington continues to uphold its 160-year old mission thanks to the generous support of donors. In 2012, more than 11,000 children and adults participated in life-enriching programs and services. Consider making camp come true for a deserving child: ycampgift.org/donate.

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