Category: Youth Development

The 37th South Carolina Youth in Government conference kicked off this week in Columbia with 1,400 high school students from across the state to participate in a model legislature, youth election process, and Mock Trial.

This year, students from Horry County participated in the program. The YMCA of Coastal Carolina hosted a delegation from the Myrtle Beach area as a pilot program with the purpose of rolling it out to local schools in Georgetown and Horry Counties for 2025.

YMCA of Coastal Carolina Association Executive Director of Youth Development Terri Lottchea notes, “As we develop teen leadership programs in our Coastal Carolina region, the Youth in Government is top of the list for schools in our area. This program teaches critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership skills and is an incredible opportunity for our students to see government in action in a fun way.”

Myrtle Beach High School students and YIG participants Margaret Martin and Kennedy Wilkes shared someone brought a gun to their school last year. This prompted them to think about gun safety, and wrote a bill requiring psychological testing prior to purchasing a firearms in South Carolina.

Myrtle Beach High School students Aiden Brown and Braxton Richardson and Christian Academy student Thomas Gravely tackled motorist safety and motorcycle helmets. All three will be getting their drivers permits in the next year. Their bill focuses on motorcycle helmets requirements to keep other drivers on the road safer and prevent serious injury in an accident.

The students spent several weeks leading up to the conference brainstorming ideas for bills, writing the bills, researching the topic, and preparing to present the bills. State Representative Case Brittain helped with the bill writing process. State Representative Carla Schussler and attorney Amanda Bailey listened to their presentation and gave feedback to help prepare the students to get their bills passed in the model legislature.

State Senator Luke Rankin visited the students while in Columbia!

YMCA of Coastal Carolina Chief Development Officer Hatton Gravely shares, “This has been an incredible experience seeing our future leaders being shaped by their peers and this program today. The debates have been respectful and the conversations thought-provoking. The variety of bills and process to share and debate concerns is making an impact on teens across the state of South Carolina. Plus, they have had fun! We are thrilled to be able to offer this program to our Coastal Carolina region, and help launch a bigger delegation (or delegations!) next year.”

Andrews Community Director Brian Gary adds, “I am looking forward to bringing this to Andrews. We have learned so much being a part of Youth in Government this year, and I am excited for the potential to grow the program in Georgetown County in 2025.”

This trip would not have been possible without the gift of our new bus, thanks to gifts from The Citizens Bank and the Parsons Foundation. We are appreciative of the donors who help support all of our programs and enable us to fulfill our mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA and Myrtle Waves will host a family picnic fundraiser to support the Hope and Possibilities Fund at the YMCA

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina and Myrtle Waves will host YMCA Member Appreciation Day at Myrtle Waves on August 24, 2024. YMCA of Coastal Carolina members and their guests are invited to purchase $35 tickets which will include all-day access to Myrtle Waves and a picnic buffet from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Members can purchase as many tickets as they would like, and will need to show their YMCA membership ID card at the gate the day of the event to purchase tickets at the Myrtle Waves. Anyone interested in attending this event is asked to fill out the form on MyrtleWaves.com to get details and updates about the fundraising event.

YMCA Member Appreciation Day at Myrtle Waves

• Date: August 24, 2024 
• Water park time: Tickets include all-day access to Myrtle Waves during their normal operating hours that day
• Picnic time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
• Register online: Families are asked to pre-register for the event online to get more information and details at https://www.myrtlewaves.com/ymca-family-day/
• YMCA Member Tickets: Members with YMCA of Coastal Carolina membership cards are able to purchase $35 tickets at Myrtle Waves on August 24, 2024 and will include all-day waterpark access plus the picnic. Card must be presented for special pricing.

A portion of every ticket will support the YMCA of Coastal Carolina’s Hope and Possibilties Fund, which provides program and financial assistance for families in need. This fundraiser will help support the YMCA’s mission, which is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. In order to fulfill the mission, the YMCA of Coastal Carolina provides low-cost programs and financial assistance for Afterschool, swim lessons, youth sports, summer camps, memberships, and healthy living programs to ensure that all in the communities we serve can participate in programs and become a member of the YMCA.

David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, said, “The YMCA of Coastal Carolina’s vision for the next five years is to improve the mental and physical health of residents in the Grand Strand, make all in our community safer around water, provide opportunities for kids to learn and gain confidence, and offer quality, affordable childcare to all parents who want to work. This event provides uninterupted family time for our members. In addition, the proceeds will support our Hope and Possibiltiies Fund, which funds free and subsidized programs for the community as well as financial assistance for those families in need who are unable to afford the fees. We are able to provide programs  to the community thanks to the generous support of community partners like Lazarus Entertainment Group.” 

Mark Lazurus, CEO of Lazarus Entertainment Group, adds, ““We are committed to supporting our community and are appreciative of YMCA teaming up with us for a special fundraiser! The YMCA does so much for the Grand Strand area and we are honored to be apart of YMCA Family Day at Myrtle Waves.”

The community is invited to come to Main Street, learn about the YMCA and enjoy free live entertainment and activities.

About Divine Harmony

Divine Harmony have worked hard to complete two EP’s titled “We Made It” and “He Can Do It” with the help of recording artist Jarell Smalls. Divine Harmony Consists of Kenyetta Hannah, Tramaine H. Timmons, Muryel Sumpter, Kayland Williams and Jamar Moore.

The gospel group has travel to Florida, New York, Georgia, North Carolina and varies areas in the United States. They are encouraged by God and believe that through God, all things are possible.

Food Trucks

• Chikeez One Stop Eatery
• Rocco’s Authentic Street Food
• Tree Treats LLC-The Ice Cream Trailer
• Session Gourmet Italian Ice
• Andrews Nutrition

Outdoor Live Entertainment

• Youth Choir
• Divine Harmony
• DJ
• Demo Class

Indoor Youth Activities

• Pac mania-Arcade Game

• NFL Blitz-Arcade Game

• Pop A Shot

• Active Coloring Banner

• Skee Ball

• Free Haircuts/ school supplies give away

Outdoor Youth Activities

• Bouncing castle

• Bouncy Slide

• Basketball Goals

We hope to see you there!

Tidelands Health goes to summer camp

Kids participating in summer camps offered by the YMCA of Coastal Carolina got a special lesson from Tidelands Health.

For the first time, the not-for-profit health system joined the camp lineup, offering an interactive session teaching the importance of proper hand hygiene to limit the spread of germs.

“Summer camp is a perfect place to reach children with fun, interactive ways to help them learn and start practicing healthy habits like proper handwashing early in life,” said Alisa Kimmel, community outreach registered nurse at Tidelands Health, the exclusive health system partner of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. 

During the camp sessions, a special lotion meant to mimic germs on hands could only be seen using a glow light, driving home the message to campers ages 6 to 8 to always wash their hands properly. After washing their hands at the sink to remove the lotion, kids held their hands under the glow light to see any spots they might have missed.

“The campers all wanted to know if they were glowing,” said Kimmel, a former school nurse who led the camp sessions. “Kids are so visual, they like to see it. It’s a fun, interactive way to drive home the message and help instill healthy habits early in life that will serve these campers well as they grow.”

As the exclusive health system partner of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, Tidelands Health collaborates with the YMCA to improve health and wellness in the region. The health system recently supported the expansion of the Safety Around Water program to Myrtle Beach. Also known as YSplash!, the program teaches second graders life-saving lessons in water safety for free.

As summer comes to an end and families begin to plan for the upcoming school year, one significant decision weighs heavily on parents’ minds:

Why are afterschool programs important?

The hours after the last school bell and before parents come home from work are a risky time for children and teens to be unsupervised. That’s why the YMCA provides afterschool programming to more than 300 kids in our community each day.

Tell me about the YMCA Afterschool program.

YMCA Afterschool provides help with homework, a healthy snack, and leadership programs for our teens. Philanthropic support ensures every child – regardless of their family’s financial circumstances – has a safe, supportive place to be after school.

Thankfully, the Y can help.

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina Hope and Possibilities Fund makes it possible for parents to say “yes!” to out of school support like Afterschool and summer camps.

Donate to help a family in need send their kids to Afterschool.

Through the support of generous and caring neighbors like you, the Y is able to provide high-quality and affordable after school care to local families – even those on already stretched budgets.

When you give to the Y, you give children the opportunity to thrive, teens a place to belong, and parents the support they need.

Please consider a special back-to-school gift to the Y today. We are all in this together. Thank you for caring for our community’s kids!

by Helina Brown, Bank of America Student Leader

As summer arrives, parents seek engaging and educational activities for their children. YMCA 360 emerges as a versatile tool, offering a variety of interactive videos and programs to enrich kids’ summer experiences.

Diverse Educational Series

YMCA 360 caters to different interests and age groups with its diverse series. “Art Camp” encourages creativity through simple art projects, fostering self-expression and imagination. “Literacy for Littles” offers read-aloud books that improve listening skills and vocabulary, nurturing a love for reading early on. “Camp Exploration” teaches about nature and outdoor activities like bird watching, promoting adventure and curiosity from home.

Accessible Anytime, Anywhere

A key advantage of YMCA 360 is its accessibility. Families can access activities on-demand, whether at home, traveling, or during downtime, thanks to the app’s engaging content library.

Embracing YMCA Values

Built on community, inclusivity, and youth development, YMCA 360 extends these principles into the digital age, ensuring continued nurturing of young minds beyond physical locations.

Peace of Mind for Parents

Parents appreciate YMCA 360 for offering constructive activities that stimulate creativity, promote literacy, and encourage outdoor exploration. It reduces concerns about excessive screen time, emphasizing productive learning experiences.

Conclusion

In today’s digital age, YMCA 360 stands out with its educational content and meaningful activities. Whether your child loves art, books, or outdoor adventures, YMCA 360 enriches their summer and fosters a balanced approach to fun and learning. Learn more about YMCA360

Interested in Camp Exploration?

Check out the links below to access YMCA360!

Get Outside

• Like a Scientist – YMCA360
• For the Birds – YMCA360
• Get Down and Look Around – YMCA360

Art Camps

• Trifold Painting- YMCA360
• Impressionist Squishy Art- YMCA360
• 3D Hand Drawing- YMCA360

Literary for Littles

• The Itsy Bitsy Spider YMCA360
• Breath Slow and Steady Teddy BearYMCA360
• Barnyard Banter YMCA360

Last Friday, the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA hosted STEAM Day in Myrtle Beach for our Afterschool kids. Kids participated in healthy physical activities and health science with Tidelands Health, science, and art projects. Everyone who attended received a STEM toy donated by the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association thanks to our Ltn. Governor Pamela Evette and BMW.

Photo Gallery of STEAM Day

At-Home Summer Learning

Every child is at risk for summer learning loss. Reading and learning through play using STEM toys are ways to engage your kids over the summer so they continue learning and are ready to go back to school! Here are more tips for summer learning.

Every child also received copies of STEAM activities!

Did you know that children who are reading proficiently by 3^rd grade are three times more likely to graduate from high school? Sadly, many children do not have access to books during the summer. In middle and upper income communities, there are 13 books per one child, but in lower income communities there is only one book for every 300 children. Because of this, children from low-income households lose 2+ months of reading achievement every summer.

So, what can parents do to help prevent learning loss in their children? Here are a couple of options:

• Start early! 80% of brain growth happens by the age of three, so anything a parent can do to introduce words, colors, and numbers to a child, no matter how young, will build the foundation for them to be successful! (United Way of Horry County)
• Check your local libraries for STEM workshops and books for your children! In Georgetown and Horry Counties combined there are over 15 public libraries, many of which have children’s sections for those k-12, along with STEM activity sessions. Librarians are happy to help finding the perfect book for your child, no matter their age or interests!
• Use online resources! Many websites, such as www.sciencebuddies.org and www.thestemlaboratory.com, offer free STEM activities or worksheets that your children can do from home! YMCA360 is another online resource that can be used; YMCA360 is an app that features over 30 videos of instructors reading books to children of all ages!

Summer STEAM Activities

At the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, we engage the children in our AfterSchool, Jumpstart Preschool, ChildWatch, and Summer Camps in STEM and literacy learning activities that will lead to positive academic outcomes in later years. The success of our children is the success of our future, and we strive to support the wellbeing of all in our community. By participating in summer learning loss prevention tactics, we, and you, can help our children grow and prosper!

YMCA360 Membership

YMCA360 has content for kids, in addition to hundreds of fitness classes!

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