Tameka Crawford (far left) had a blast earning a “Camper of the Week” title last summer at the Bob Sierra YMCA Youth and Family Center.
Whitney Crawford knows where her daughter will be going to camp this summer. “We’ll be at the YMCA, of course,” laughs Whitney, a single mom, who moved two years ago to Tampa Bay from St. Louis, Missouri after falling in love with the area while on vacation.
Whitney’s first experience with the Y was through Before and After School Enrichment (BASE) at the Bob Sierra YMCA Youth and Family Center for her 8-year-old daughter, Tameka. “They had different things for every day. They would go outside. They rotated with different activities like gymnastics and kickball. They have talent shows, art and she loves art. One time, they had an event where different vendors came out. They had crazy sock day, rainbow day, super hero day,” she recalls.
So, it was a no brainer for her to enroll Tameka in Y Summer Camp too. “Tameka loves to stay busy because if she wasn’t in the camp I wouldn’t have anything else for her to do,” explains Whitney. “Camp keeps her occupied where she’s interacting with other kids, she’s interacting with other counselors and they’re great. She’s learning a lot in sports like how to work with others, conflict resolution, all of those things. She really looks forward to it.”
While Tameka had a blast earning the “Camper of the Week” title last summer, her mom enjoyed the Y’s Parents’ Night Out. “It’s really beneficial for parents. I think I did it two times and the first time I needed a little me time so I went to the spa and I got a pedicure and manicure. Another time I saw a movie by myself and went to the mall and picked up a few little outfits,” recalls Whitney. “Just that amount of time it makes a difference because you’re busy, busy, busy especially as a single parent and when you feel like you need that extra time that resource is there and I love that at the YMCA.”
Whitney feels lucky she was referred to the Y. “There’s a lot of people who relocate out here who are in the same situation where you’re not really quite sure where to turn,” says Whitney, whose family still resides in Missouri. “Without the YMCA in my corner, I wouldn’t know what to do to be honest with you.”
Fun and unique experiences give Y campers, like Tameka, an opportunity to explore the outdoors, meet new friends, discover new interests and create memories that last a lifetime. In Y Summer Camp, kids are in a welcoming environment where they can belong, build relationships, develop character and discover their potential.
To ensure your kids stay engaged socially, physically and academically throughout the summer, register today at the Summer Camp Information Station. But hurry, spots fill quickly! As a top-rated 4-star charity, the Y offers camp scholarships to qualified families because all kids deserve to go to camp! Where will yours be this summer?