YMCA of GWC summer camps play an active role getting kids' lives back to normal post pandemic

MENOMONEE FALLS (CBS 58) -- So many child development specialists are all saying the same thing: summer camps are valuable, maybe even more so this year.

This includes the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County (GWC) as it takes on a recovery opportunity to close the COVID learning gap as well as stem the usual summer education slide.

The pandemic’s effects on student learning have been profound as remote or hybrid schooling kept kids inside, stuck on screens, and away from classmates and friends.

More than half of educators surveyed reported significant learning loss and disruption to social-emotional learning when comparing current students to those in previous years.

And, typically more than half of students in first through sixth grades lose nearly 40% of the year’s learning during the summer.

The Y GWC’s variety of weekly summer camps, hosted at 14 area sites June 14 through August 27, nurture and enrich development, spark curiosity, and inspire creativity by providing a safe place to learn fundamental skills, build self-reliance and confidence, and establish healthy, trusting relationships.

Its dozens of camp offerings include both traditional day and specialty camps including new this year Going Green where campers will learn how to become responsible and caring citizens of the planet and enjoy nature-based experiences including forest exploration, conservation, gardening and farming.

There’s also STEAM (which includes a Sustainable Summer offering) and Arts camps, Summer School Wrap camps and Kinder Camps.

Physical fitness can also take a summer hit for kids.

With a whole child focus on mind and body, Y GWC camps keep kids active and mostly outdoors all summer. Summer Day Camps run Monday through Friday from 7a to 6p for ages 4 to 13.

Parents can register kids by the week and for those age 5 and older, parents can choose either 3 or 5-day week options. Click here for all the details.