School is out and the kids are suffering from cabin fever. The Armed Services YMCA has the solution.
During the summer, ASYMCA offers summer playgrounds Monday through Thursday at 1:30 p.m. for kids ages 5 to 12. Activities include crafts, board games, snack and coloring.
For those who are interested in activities in both the summer and school year, ASYMCA offers a variety of programs.
With a story hour at Clarke Community Library on Fort Leonard Wood at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy being read to as well as completing a craft afterwards.
Those who enjoy taking a leisurely walk in the park can do so with “Strollin' with the Y,” a program offered at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at Colyer Park on Fort Leonard Wood.
Moms who enjoy making crafts with their little ones can enjoy a Mom and Me craft class for toddlers and preschoolers at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the Woodlands Community Center.
“These programs are very beneficial because they give kids the chance to meet new people and to learn new crafts and games,” said Denise Read, program manager.
ASYMCA also offers a bus trip once a month. From a past visit to a zoo to the current June trip to see “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at Waynesville's Theatre on the Square, kids of all ages can enjoy the thrill of a bus trip.
Soldiers who want to give back to the community can participate in S.O.S., or Service on Saturday. S.O.S. is a monthly program that allows soldiers to participate in community projects like painting the Waynesville frog, working at the Humane Society, playing bingo at Primrose assisted living center, as well as an annual visit to the St. James Veterans Home.
Middle school students who want to help out in their community can do so in an after school program on Mondays during the school year called the “YMCA Tigers.” Students participating do community service projects such as helping out at the Thrift Shop or volunteering at various non-profit organizations like H.E.A.R.T.S. Astride.
Younger students wanting to experience the thrill of an after-school program as well can do so on Wednesdays during the school year at the Woodlands Community Center. This program is for kids in kindergarten to sixth grade.
“ASYMCA programs are outreach programs,” Director Linda Bright said. “We work in conjunction with other facilities for our programs.”
ASYMCA has been on Fort Leonard Wood since 1984 and is a private organization that raises all of its own funds. It is one of 16 dedicated ASYMCAs in the United States. All programs are free and open to the public.
“Our programs are very personal and we are involved enough to know everyone’s name and are able to develop relationships with them,” Bright said.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we were doing something good,” she said.
For more information on programs or volunteering visit www.asymca-flw.org or contact Bright at 329-4513.
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