BELLOWS FALLS — Since 1965, more than 12,250 area youths have developed skills, friendships, and memories at Meeting Waters YMCA summer camps.
This summer marks the 53rd consecutive year that hundreds of area youths will keep their minds and bodies active throughout the summer at the regional Y's three day-camp programs.
Y Day Camp for 6- to 13-year-olds offers eight one-week sessions between June 26 and Aug. 18. The Y's Leader-in-Training program provides a week of leadership development (June 26-30) followed by three weeks working alongside camp staff. KinderCamp provides children entering kindergarten in the fall with a confidence-building experience on Aug. 14 to 18.
Family Camp takes place on Saturday, July 22.
All camps are based at the regional Y's 52-acre Lewis Day Camp facility, located on Route 5 in Springfield, just off Interstate 91. Bus service is provided to and from camp each day from Brattleboro, Putney, Westminster, Bellows Falls, Walpole, N.H., and four other towns.
The regional Y's camps participate in the federal Summer Food Program. All campers - regardless of town of residence or family income - qualify for a free healthy lunch each day.
Registration for the coming camp season has begun. To ensure that all youth have the chance to experience camp, the regional Y offers financial assistance from donations to its Reach Out to Youth fundraising campaign and accepts state child care financial assistance from both New Hampshire and Vermont.