YC just wrapped up another VAN-tastic summer! We loved hanging out with participants and volunteers of all ages and reconnecting with old friends while making new friends, too.
YC Swim & Sports is a classic summer program, and we had an awesome group of participants and volunteers on both the East and West Sides. West Side participants and volunteers came to Clague Park, and East Side participants and volunteers got to go to Horseshoe Lake Park and Thornton Pool in Shaker Heights. Some of our favorite games in the water included What Time is it, Mr. Fox?; Sharks & Minnows; and Duck, Duck, Goose!
In July, we had a blast at the YC overnight! The almost 24 hours spent with the YC Crew were jam-packed with activities ranging from an Amazing Race competition to Silly Sports to a Skit Showdown Competition. The Green Team won the Amazing Race competition by making it back to YC first, but the Yellow Team won Best Picture, Best Attitude, and Most Enthusiastic. Thank you, YC Board President Greer Gibbons and Dan & Sharon Douglas, for helping with breakfast in the morning!
Our youngest participants really enjoyed our Mini Camp programs this summer! One highlight was meeting up with Dancing Wheels and Corner65 Kids at Edgewater Park. Dancing Wheels led the group in activities for about an hour. After that, we had lunch and then created some “prototypes” or inventions out of recycled materials. Another fun day was when we went to Avon Pool and had stations for participants and volunteers to rotate through before we swam. They enjoyed rotating through the bubbles, sensory water bottles, chia seed sensory bin, and more!
On the other end of the age spectrum, our YELP and alumni participants loved Fitness and Gardening. It was definitely a time to reconnect with old friends, as several alumni volunteers were able to come back for the summer. Participants and volunteers came every Thursday to YC’s headquarters to get in a workout and grow all kinds of plants and herbs including rosemary, peppers, tomatoes, flowers, and more. (Special thank you to the Salem family for donating many of our plants and soil!) It was a great time to be healthy, care for the Earth, and enjoy socializing with others!
The weather may be starting to change, but that does not mean the excitement cools down at YC! We look forward to creating more fun memories with participants and volunteers this fall.
