FREE YMCA MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL KEENE 6th GRADERS
The Keene Family YMCA is proud to offer the “6th Grade Initiative,” a program
that offers a free YMCA membership to students in the 6th grade. The goal of the 6th Grade Initiative is to inspire youth to discover their passions, develop a healthy lifestyle, and gain the assets needed to avoid risky behaviors and succeed in school and life. The 6th Grade Initiative is available to all sixth grade students in the Keene Area school districts.
WHY 6TH GRADERS?
As youth begin to face the varied challenges of adolescence, they are more likely to begin disassociating from formal organizations, to distance themselves from family and its support structures, and to experiment with unhealthy and illegal behaviors. The Keene Family YMCA has a longstanding tradition of creatively adapting its services to the changing needs and interest of its constituents. We are proud be able to continue to offer the 6th Grade Initiative, a free YMCA membership for 6th grade students, as a way to better engage, educate, and connect to our youth right when they need it most. Not only will this provide 6th grade students with a safe environment, but it will enable students to grow in spirit, mind and body.
HOW DO STUDENTS JOIN?
This year’s program will begin September 17, 2012. We will begin activating memberships on that date. To activate the free membership, students entering the 6th grade in the 2012-13 school year should bring their school id, roster or last report card, a copy of the parent agreement and a parent or guardian with them to the Y. Parents need to complete the required membership paperwork.
6th Grade Initiative members will be asked to engage in the organization by taking an active role in our leader’s in training program, Builder’s Club. Members will be required to attend at least two meetings per month to maintain their membership. During after school hours participants will have access to the pool, designated fitness center equipment, gymnasium and special “game room”. The membership includes a reduced rate on programs offered within the Y. The free membership expires at the end of your child’s sixth grade school year.
The Keene Family YMCA has a 125 year history of building strong kids through programs that engage, educate and foster positive self-esteem and critical core values that kids need to become healthy, productive adults. Through this positive, proactive and strength based approach, the Y aims to buffer young people from the effects of risk exposure by providing them with opportunities to be involved in, and contribute to, their community, their school, and their peer group in meaningful ways.
We rely on the community to help run this program and make it successful for all participants. If interested in sponsorship please contact Jessica Stout, Youth Development at jstout@keene-ymca.org.
