YMCA Offering Camps for Healthy Living

Snacking smarter is the focus of a fun, new Somerset Valley YMCA summer camp that was added to the menu of camp offerings in part to satisfy an increased appetite among kids and parents for more nutrition and food-themed camp programs. 

Learning how to grow food in the backyard—in a camp called Future Farmers—is another unique week-long program added this year as part of a commitment to promoting healthy living.

While Y summer camps offer the traditional mix of sports, play and fun, they also aim to nurture a child’s physical and mental health. The Y’s focus on promoting healthy living and increasing physical activity is reflected in its camp offerings more so than ever this year.

“Obesity is a serious national health concern and our summer camps present an opportunity to encourage physical activity. Our camps can also empower our campers to prepare, eat and enjoy healthier foods,” said Christopher B. Trigg, American Camp Association’s New Jersey representative and camp director at the Bridgewater Family Y, in a release about the new program. “Campers will have fun in our stimulating and engaging programs. And their parents will know it’s combined with nutrition, science and fitness.”

Offering summer day camp programs at Y facilities in Bridgewater, Hillsborough and Somerville, the Y is proud to have achieved accreditation by the American Camp Association, which means it has met stringent health, safety and program standards. The Y camps are for children from pre-school age to teens.

Dana Scarantino, director of youth and family for the Somerville Y, said food camps were added this year, along with new fitness, science, water activities and other specialty camps after interest was expressed by current camper families.

“Food and Fun has always been one of our most popular camps, where kids get hands-on and fun experience with healthy and delicious foods. So we added two new food camps to our program,”  said Scarantino, camp director at the Somerville YMCA. “In summer 2012, we are offering Edible Art and Super Snack Camp. Kids will go home with recipes, samples and knowledge that go along with the Y’s mission of striving for Healthy Living, and prevent childhood obesity.”

Other new camps for 2012 include Water Fun, Junior Lifeguard, Fitness is Fun, Myth Testers, Music Myth Masters and a series of Olympic-sports themed camps.

In food-themed camps, kids will learn nutritional benefits, serving sizes and recommended daily servings in each food group. They’ll cook dishes like Veggie Stir Fry and Lettuce Wraps for Vegetable Day, Hummus and Frittatas for Meats and Proteins Day, and Homemade Mac and Cheese for Dairy Day.

Eating healthy is only one part of staying healthy, however, and the Y camps also ensure lots of opportunity for learning, enrichment and play.

“Our campers are always moving, exercising and doing different things they don’t normally do at home or at school, and they’re learning at the same time,” said Trigg. “They’re enjoying the outdoors and interacting with children from schools other than their own.”

The Y serves families in Bridgewater, Branchburg, Somerville, Raritan, Bound Brook, Green Brook, Manville, Hillsborough, Montgomery and Somerset.

YMCA campers gain new experiences, develop essential social skills and create lifelong friendships, while enjoying camp adventures along the way.  

“Our impact is felt whenever your children make a healthy food choice, enjoy fun sports and play and make new friends and learn and grow in the nurturing environment we strive to provide,” said Valerie Giacopelli, executive director for the Hillsborough Family Y. “We look forward to the opportunity to making a positive impact on the children in our community.”

YMCA camps offer a variety of camp experiences, and also give parents the flexibility of signing their children up for one week or all ten weeks of camp. 

Please view an entire list of camps on the website.