Child Care
LEARN GROW THRIVE
At the Y, we know that having quality child care is important to the well-being of children and families. The Helena Family YMCA Childcare Program is committed to providing quality child care in a safe and loving environment by a dedicated and caring staff. We offer a comfortable and stimulating atmosphere, which allows children to develop at their own pace. Our curriculum focuses on the total development of the child - socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. We believe each child is a unique individual and all children are respected for their differences. We will provide an environment in our program that will assist children to maintain their uniqueness and their differences. Every child, regardless of sex, race, or religion, will have the same advantages and opportunities as every other child.
TAKE ON SUMMER
Summer is the time for kids to get up, get out and grow, but sometimes when the school year ends, so does a child’s exposure to activities that stimulate the body and mind. Our summer programs will inspire kids and parents to take advantage of summer and give them the tools to grow and achieve.
Click Here for our Summer 2012 program guide
SUMMER DAY CAMP
K-5th Grade
Our most popular summer program! Designed for young children we offer age appropriate field trips to local parks, museums, and kid-friendly businesses. Arts & crafts, swim days and movie days are planned weekly.
LEARN GROW THRIVE… WITH Y DAYCAMP
Y Daycamp combines elements of childcare with traditional camp activities to provide one of the best summer programs in our community. Field trips are awesome, morning & aftercare are provided at no extra charge, kids have fun and parents know they are safe!
Cost: Y- Members $125/week, Prospective members $175/week
There is a non-refundable $25 deposit required per child, per week to reserve your spot. Registration is currently open at the YMCA front desk. Weeks do fill up quickly. Please call 442.9622 for availability.
DATES & DESCRIPTIONS:
Week 1: Just Hit Play (June 11-15): Start your child’s summer off with a bang! This week will focus on getting to know each other through silly team building games and projects. We will also begin to learn about the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, & Responsibility.
Week 2: Community Unity (June 18-22): At the Y, our strength is in community and this week will focus on giving back to others while fostering a love of service. Kids will learn that helping others is fun and fulfilling.
Week 3: Who is Art? (June 25-29): Kids will learn and explore various art forms from painting, self-portraits, and theater. Visits to the Holter Museum of Art and the Charlie Russell Museum in Great Falls are planned.
Week 4: Party in the USA (July 2-6): It’s America’s Birthday so let’s celebrate! On Monday we’ll picnic with the Helena Brewers, Tuesday we’ll visit the Capitol, ride the tour train, and head up to Camp Child on Thursday & Friday for some good ole American style camp activities.
Week 5: Water Works I (July 9-13): Bring on the sand, the sun, the WATER and let’s go wild! It’s hot so we’ll stay cool with visits to Last Chance Splash, the Butte YMCA, a huge inflatable water slide, and water balloon war!
Week 6: Ahoy Matey! (July 16-20): Aaargh! Ahoy thar Matey! It’s a treasure hunt and we’ll learn the art of letter boxing and make our own letterbox to hide. We’ll visit Clark’s Bay and discover where Black Bart has buried his treasure. A boat ride and picnic at Gates of Mountains will have us feeling like real pirates.
Week 7: Fair Week (July 23-27): Giddy up pardner! Have you ever wanted to be in a parade? This is your chance! Last Chance Stampede and Fair that is! We’ll make our own stick horse and participate in the Kiddie parade and picnic downtown. Meanwhile…back at the ranch (er…the Y) we’ll get ready for our own stick horse rodeo. Later in the week, we’ll visit the animals and make our own cotton candy and snow cones.
Week 8: Water Works II (July 30-Aug 3): We just can’t get enough! We’ll cool off this week at Splash Montana in Missoula, Last Chance Splash, Clark’s Bay, the inflatable water slide, and silly water themed relay races.
Week 9: YMCA Olympic Challenge (Aug 6-10): It’s all Greek to me. Did you know that two Olympic sports were invented at the YMCA? This week is all about Olympic fever while we follow the games in London. We’ll play volleyball and basketball (yep, both invented at the Y). Other games include our own silly version of soccer, baseball, and swimming. We’ll even create our own new games and see if we can invent the next great Olympic sport!
Week 10: Best of Summer (Aug 13-17): Kids choice week. Kids will vote on their favorite summer activities and we’ll make it happen.
HOLIDAY CAMPS
The YMCA follows the Helena School District #1 and East Helena School District Calendar. We offer childcare on Holidays and most school in-service days. The cost is $30 per day per child. There is no member discount.
Schedule is subject to change.
September: Labor Day
October: State Educator Convention
November: Wednesday before Thanksgiving
December: Winter Break
January: Kids Night Out (6:00 PM New Year's Eve-10:00 AM New Year's Day), Martin Luther King Day
February: President's Day
March/April: Spring Break, Easter Break (Monday following Easter Sunday)
May: Vigilante Day, Memorial Day
SCHOOL AGE RECREATION
Please contact Charli Prowell at 442-9622 or on site at 594-0917
Site Location: The Helena Family YMCA operates after school child care at the Eastgate Elementary School in East Helena ONLY.
Our 2011-2012 program is currently full. Please contact us if you would like to be placed on the waiting list.
