By Jamie Morgan

Special to the Salisbury Post

Summer is in full swing, and the Y is focused on developing Rowan County’s youth with our YMCA Summer Day Camp Program.

Y kids are having the summer of a lifetime filling their days with fun activities such as weekly field trips, Gaga Pit competitions, water safety programming, Slip ’N Slides and STEM programming.

This summer at the Y, we are offering 13 specialty camps in addition to our traditional day camp. Specialty camps include Goggle Up Swim Camp (July 17-20), Kickin’ It Soccer Camps (June 26-29 and Aug. 14-17), Aim High Wildlife Camp (July 24-27), Volleyball Camp (July 10-13), Take Your Shot Basketball Shooting Clinics (July 24-26 and July 31-Aug. 2) Basketball Camp ( Aug. 7-10), Tennis Camp (July 17-20) and Robotics Camp (July 31-Aug. 4).

The Y is committed to providing life-changing experiences for all kids in our communities. Through this programming, our trained counselors are teaching the character values of honesty, caring, respect, responsibility and faith.

Part of the Y’s commitment to social responsibility means that we never turn anyone away due to the inability to pay for services.

It would be a tragedy if we had kids in our communities who wanted and needed to be in a YMCA summer camp but did not attend because they could not afford it.

We are serving 311 kids in summer day camp programs at our East, South and Salisbury YMCA branches. Four out of 10 youth are receiving some sort of financial assistance or scholarship that will be valued at $72,271.25 by the end of the summer.

The YMCA of Rowan County is a proud member agency of the Rowan County United Way. The United Way supports the YMCA with yearly funding that is used in the Y’s Open Doors financial assistance program. This program provides financial assistance for youth who would like to participate in YMCA program activities but may not be able to afford it.

Without Rowan County United Way’s support, many of the 125 youth receiving financial assistance this summer would be left at home alone and could end up on our streets unsupervised and unsafe. So when you are approached to give to our local United Way campaign, please dig deep and support the Rowan County United Way. Know that your gift will truly make a difference in a child’s life.

To many, the YMCA means swimming, working out and childcare. But the Y is so much more than that. The Y is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. That’s because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. Thank you for your continued support of the YMCA and United Way.

Jamie Morgan is CEO of the YMCA of Rowan County.