Category: Youth Development

The Tidelands Health Georgetown Family YMCA hosted the 2nd annual Georgetown Kids Mud Run on April 20, 2024. A fun, muddy time was had by all who participated!

Photo Album

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina hosted Healthy Kids Day at all three center locations in Georgetown, Pawleys Island, and Myrtle Beach. This free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season.

Healthy Kids Day ® is the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families. For over 30 years, YMCAs and their communities have hosted free community events aimed to inspire kids and families to keep their minds and bodies active throughout the summer months and beyond.This is a nationally recognized event, and during this day, we will be promoting the healthy spirit, mind, and body of the kids in our community.

2024 Healthy Kids Day Photo Album

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina was the proud recipient of the NLGA STEM Service Project donations at the National Lieutenant Governors Association Spring Meeting. 

David Byrd, Chief Executive Officer for the YMCA of Coastal Carolina thanked the NLGA participants and said, “STEM is a big part of our future. Our YMCAs across the United States and particularly here in South Carolina, focus heavily on STEM. I see it everyday with our kids and our families. We are honored today to receive this gift of 100 STEM toys.”

Sponsored by BMW Manufacturing Co, NLGA Members wrapped and donated 100 STEM-related toys to the YMCA of Coastal Carolina to give to kids in our programs.  As of April 1, 2024, more than 450 youth in six states or territories have STEM opportunity as a direct result of NLGA Members meeting and working together.

“Getting our kids involved and engaged with STEM is so important to developing the workforce of tomorrow” said Lt. Governor Pamela Evette. “We are thankful to BMW for their support and the YMCA of Coastal Carolina for providing hands-on learning experiences throughout the school year and during the summers — allowing parents to get to work and helping our kids to thrive.”

YMCA Afterschool and Summer Camp programs incorporate STEM, literacy, academic support, and physical activity into the daily schedules. Evidence shows that providing out-of-school time (OST) learning directly impacts what is possible to learn inside classrooms — just as what happens in classrooms impacts OST learning.

Hatton Gravely, Chief Development Officer for the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, adds, “Kids learn through play, and these STEM toys will enhance what the kids are learning in school and at the Y in programs. We are so grateful to be selected by the NLGA for this wonderful gift!”

Second graders in Myrtle Beach will get life-saving lessons in water safety through a free program offered by the YMCA of Coastal Carolina in partnership with Tidelands Health.

More than 350 second graders at Myrtle Beach Primary School will participate in the Safety Around Water program at the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA in Myrtle Beach. The program focuses on water safety and self-rescue skills while reinforcing that water should be fun, not feared. 

As the exclusive health system partner of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, Tidelands Health is helping support the expansion of the Safety Around Water program to Myrtle Beach. For more than a decade, the program – also known as YSplash! – has been offered to second graders in Georgetown County every fall at the Tidelands Health Pawleys Family YMCA and the Tidelands Health Georgetown Family YMCA.

“In a beautiful coastal region like ours with the ocean and so many waterways, ponds and pools, it’s essential that children learn at an early age how to enjoy and be safe in and around the water,” said Dr. Lucretia Carter, pediatric medical director for Tidelands Health. “The Safety Around Water program builds water skills that will serve these kids for a lifetime. Tidelands Health is proud to support the expansion of this program to Myrtle Beach for the health and well-being of children now and for years to come.”

During the four-week program, students will learn essential skills including swimming and floating and techniques that help prevent drowning. Students will also learn about potentially dangerous rip currents and boat safety, as well as what to do and who to contact if there is an aquatic emergency. Safety Around Water starts April 15 at the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA.

“The YMCA of Coastal Carolina embodies the YMCA’s reputation as ‘America’s Swim Instructor’ by annually teaching hundreds of local children valuable water safety and swimming skills. We are proud to expand our Safety Around Water program to all second graders at Myrtle Beach Primary School while continuing our tradition of providing the program in Georgetown County,” said David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. “Now more than ever, it’s important to remind parents and caregivers that water safety needs to be top of mind as families start to return to their favorite summertime activities – many of them at the beach, pool or waterways.”

Thank you to our donors who made this program possible

Tidelands Health

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lestingi and Melinda Grafton

Healthy Kids Day 2024 Activities

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on August 20th at all three center locations in Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown. This free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season. 

• Date: April 20^th, 2024 
• Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm 
• What is Healthy Kids Day? Healthy Kids Day ® is the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families. For over 30 years, YMCAs and their communities have hosted free community events aimed to inspire kids and families to keep their minds and bodies active throughout the summer months and beyond.This is a nationally recognized event, and during this day, we will be promoting the healthy spirit, mind, and body of the kids in our community.
• When is Healthy Kids Day? This year, the event will take place on April 20th at all three of our locations! Most events will occur between 10am-12pm unless noted otherwise, such as the Georgetown Mud Run (begins at 1pm).
• Where are the events occurring?
  • Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA: 5000 Claire Chapin Epps Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC, 29577
  • Tidelands Health Pawleys Family YMCA: 12965 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC, 29585
  • Tidelands Health Georgetown Family YMCA: 529 Browns Ferry Rd., Georgetown, SC, 29440
• What kind of events will be happening? Each center will have local vendors and activities for all ages! Some examples include:
  • Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA: YMCA Kids Beast Mode Class Demo / Obstacle Course, Face Painting, Food Trucks (food available to purchase), Myrtle Beach Fire Department, and more!
  • Tidelands Health Pawleys Family YMCA:Obstacle Course, Kids Fitness Classes, Gaga Ball, Creation Station, Jumpy Castle, and more!
  • Tidelands Health Georgetown Family YMCA: Georgetown Mud Run, Bounce Barn, Family Photo Booth, Face Painting, All 4 Paws, and more!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

• Graves Pools & Spas
• HTC
• Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union
• Tidelands Health

Did You Know…

Your child gets so much more out of our Youth Sports Program than just playing a sport?

Capturing these moments creates those special memories that last a lifetime. We want to see those moments! Follow our Instagram @ymcaofcoastalcarolina to participate in our photo-sharing campaign to see your child featured on our page.

Action Shots

Whether it is scoring the game-winning goal or making a strategic assist, your kid has some serious skills! 

Teamwork

Capture the importance of collaboration and camaraderie.  It’s not just about winning or losing!

Fun With Friends

Teammates can turn into lifelong friends. Kids just want to have fun!

That’s My Coach

Our volunteer coaches are here to see your child prosper and grow both on and off the field. Show them your appreciation!

Proud Parent

Cheering on your child and their teammates encourages positivity on the field and the sidelines. Support your child as they embark on this action-packed journey that is our Youth Sports Program!

Share your Moments!

Capturing these moments creates those special memories that last a lifetime. We want to see those moments! Follow our Instagram @ymcaofcoastalcarolina to participate in our photo-sharing campaign to see your child featured on our page.

This summer, the YMCA of Coastal Carolina and Bank of America partnered again to create a marketing internship program to provide leadership experience to high school students and make an impact on our community.

The Student Leaders handled all aspects of marketing and community engagement this summer, from creating content for the YMCA of Coastal Carolina social media channels to attending networking events to share the mission work of the Y.

“Gavin and Shaw are making a tremendous impact on sharing the YMCA of Coastal Carolina story through social media this summer! We are thrilled to partner with Bank of America again this summer to bring student leaders to the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA for a summer marketing internship,” shares Hatton Gravely, Director of Mission Advancement.

About the Bank of America Student Leaders program

Since 2004, Student Leaders® has been part of our ongoing commitment to youth employment and economic mobility. We’re helping prepare a diverse pipeline of community-minded young students to be successful in the workforce through leadership training and work experience. The students hail from many diverse backgrounds, but are united by their drive and commitment. Through paid internships with local nonprofits and participation in a national leadership summit, they gain practical work and life experience.

Bank of America

Part of the program is a leadership summit held in Washington, DC. Student Leaders from across the country gather in our nation’s capitol for speakers, seminars, projects, and exploring.

Meet Shaw Ashley

Shaw is a rising senior at North Myrtle Beach High School. He shares, “I love working at the YMCA for a variety of reasons. I am a huge believe in Christ and throughly believe in the mission that the Y puts forth. Between my experience in owning my own business, Marketing & current work at the NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center, I am happy to be an asset to the YMCA of Coastal Carolinas!”

At North Myrtle Beach High School, Shaw is extremely involved in all aspects of the school, including:

• Student Assistant to the Athletic Director
• President of the Social Studies National Honor Society
• Student Council Member
• Member of the National Honor Society & Beta Club
• Former Editor-In-Chief of the NMBHS Yearbook

As if that is not enough, Shaw is dedicated to our community and involved in many programs – including founding a summer camp for kids!

• Founder & Director of the NMB Survivor Challenges
• Ambassador at the Little River Chamber of Commerce
• Committee Chair & Fundraiser for the Myrtle Beach Walk to End Alzheimer’s
• Active Church Member & Volunteer at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church
• Active Volunteer at Ocean Drive Elementary School
• Numerous Volunteer Activites throughout the school year
• Employeed as an Activities Specialist at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center during the school year. 

The NMB Jr. Survivor camp is a summer camp in North Myrtle Beach, with a Christian emphasis. The camp is based off of the hit CBS show, Survivor. 

The adventure camp is open to kids in the Horry County area between the ages of 7-11.

As a fundraiser for the kid’s camp, he holds the “NMB Celebrity Survivor Challenge” annually. 

It combines local celebrities as well as former contestants from the actual show, in a weekend-long survivor competition that raises money for the kids camp.

The competition is filmed and edited into mini-episodes for the community to enjoy.

Season 1 episodes & more can be found on the YouTube channel. Season 2 was recently filmed and the episodes will begin being uploaded weekly, starting in August. You can see more on YouTube!

• Video Explaining the Organization
• Season 2 Teaser 
• Summer Camp Overview
• Website

Shaw’s Summer Student Leaders Photo Gallery

Meet Gavin Ockert

Gavin Ockert graduated from the Scholars Academy and will be attending Duke University in the fall. He served as the school’s senior class president and participated in FTC Robotics.

During high school, he interned at Coastal Carolina University and performed scientific research on bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect strains of bacteria, with the biochemistry department. He plans to pursue a career in astrobiology, or the study of the development and persistence of life on Earth and in space.

In addition to his academics, Gavin has raised hundreds of dollars in my area for Luv Michael, a nonprofit organization that employs autistic adults and raises awareness for autism nationwide. In his free time, Gavin likes to fish, read, and use his telescope.

Gavin shares, “I love how kind and helpful everyone at the YMCA is. The staff, from the lifeguards to the camp counselors to the front desk workers to the custodians, are all genuinely invested in maintaining our community and building its future. It lifts me up when I get to work with people who strive for the betterment of others.

I’ve learned a lot by seeing the “behind the scenes” of a marketing department. To create posts for social media, I have filmed, edited videos, and learned to deliver messages in a brief and effective manner. I’ve worked with kids and adults to promote the YMCA’s cause and raise awareness for various events and activities. The YMCA has also helped me stay in touch with my community. From a Bojangles ribbon-cutting ceremony to a Chamber of Commerce Senatorial meeting, I’ve gotten to see the many happenings that support and define Myrtle Beach.”

Gavin’s Summer Student Leaders Photo Gallery

Kids learn so much more than athletic skills at the Y.

They are coached to be team players, to work together, to encourage each other. They learn to be leaders on and on the field, and how to be a great team mate. They are cheered on by their coaches, team mates, and fans.

Here are the leadership lessons kids learn by playing Y sports:

• How to have fun while being physically active
• How to be a team player
• How to communicate
• How to try again after defeat
• How to set goals
• Read the full article

Do you want to make it possible for more kids to be a part of a team?

Our Hope & Possibilities fund makes it possible for families to sign their kids up for the soccer team and so much more.

You can make it possible for more kids to play sports and learn teamwork by donating to the YMCA of Coastal Carolina’s Hope and Possiblities Fund today.

---

The Benefits of YMCA Sports for Your Kids: A Parent’s Guide

by Gavin Ockert, Bank of America Student Leader

Throughout human history, sports have proven themselves to be popular and worthwhile pastimes in virtually every civilization. From ancient Egypt and Greece to modern day America, the act of physical play has served as a cornerstone of societal life, the glue that holds communities together. It builds camaraderie while encouraging a competitive spirit that will serve players well, even off the field. It’s no surprise that getting kids active early is a great idea; there are many benefits sports provide children with that will help them during their youth and into adulthood.

Kids learn so much more than athletic skills at the Y.

Here are a few reasons you should make sure your kids are participating in sports from a young age: 

1. Sports are great for children’s physical health. 

At the Y, we encourage kids to be active. Our youth sports programs and coaches teach kids the importance of physical activity. Our programs focus on learning and playing, not winning. Every child gets to play and the games are safe, exciting, and fun. We encourage fair play, positive competition, and family involvement.

And not only are they great for kids’ health in the short-term, but they also increase the chance that your child will stay active into adulthood, too. Organized sports have been linked to decreased rates of childhood obesity and have been shown to boost motor skills and overall fitness. Moreover, people who participated in youth sports are more likely to be physically active as adults, indicating that early participation may help kids develop good physical habits later in life. Sports get kids running, throwing, catching, and kicking, all of which can elevate their heart rates while improving dexterity, coordination, and even flexibility. Kids live to play, and games like soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and more take this energy and channel it into a constructive and consistent activity that can greatly improve physical health. 

2. They encourage kids to socialize from an early age. 

The Y helps kids become not only better players, but better people as well.

A key element of most sports is teamwork. To win, a good team needs to work together and communicate effectively. Youth sports at the Y lay the groundwork for this kind of communication. For some children, sports are the first time they interact with a large group of kids in an organized environment. Oftentimes, children are taught how to work together and consider others when making decisions. Furthermore, the combination of play and teamwork that is inherent to most sports fosters close connections between children and can lead to strong relationships even off the field. As with physical exercise, these social skills will serve young athletes well far beyond their youth. In fact, some studies have even found that students who played youth sports are more likely to earn higher incomes than students who did not play youth sports. 

3. They teach kids about leadership. 

Beyond the scope of the game, sports also reveal important life lessons that young athletes can carry with them for the rest of their lives. All of our coaches are volunteers. Some of them are Y staff, some are parents helping coach their kids, while others are folks from the community who share the same Y values. ALL of our coaches go through a background check. Your child’s safety is our #1 priority.Here are just a few truths about leadership that sports can teach children: 

• How to work with a team: Kids learn that, when they work together, everyone has the potential to do incredible things. 
• Discipline and ambition: Players learn to improve the things they can change, like their play style and their technique, without worrying about things out of their control. 
• Mind-body connection: Sports encourage a link between the mind and the body; they show kids that for the team to improve physically, each player has to have a positive mental attitude. 
• Perpetual refinement: Sports foster an environment of continuous improvement in play and in life, which helps kids avoid mental stagnation as they grow older. 
• Dealing with defeat: Sports teach kids that failure isn’t the end of the world. Kids learn how to channel failure into motivation to do better in the future. 
• Goal setting: Team games teach kids how to set strategic goals. By breaking down large plays into shorter steps, teammates can work together to achieve something big. 

4. Sports make us feel good! 

Perhaps the greatest benefit of sports is that they make kids happy! The thrill of scoring a goal or hitting a home run can boost children’s confidence and self-esteem, which will help them succeed in the long run. Sports have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression by releasing endorphins, which boost one’s mood and act as painkillers in the body. In our modern technological world, the sedentary lifestyle that affects more and more children can also lead to sadness and lethargy. By getting your kids involved in sports, you are taking the necessary steps to make your kids happier, more well-rounded individuals. 

You can make it possible for more kids to play sports at the Y.

Make it possible: donate to the YMCA of Coastal Carolina’s Hope and Possibilities Fund.

Youth Sports at the YMCA

The YMCA offers

• Hurricanes Swim Team at all three branches
• Youth Soccer in Georgetown and Myrtle Beach
• Flag Football in Georgetown and Myrtle Beach
• Youth Basketball in Myrtle Beach
• Donate and shop for used sports equipment with our Gear up for Good Used Sports Equipment Collection Drive & Sale

by Gavin Ockert, Bank of America Student Leader

Summer is here, and now is the perfect time to go swimming with family and friends. Beaches and pools are aquatic hotspots for people of all ages looking to have a great time and cool off as the weather heats up. However, as drowning deaths peak during the summer months, it’s vital to remember that safety comes first when swimming, especially in greater depths. We spoke with YMCA lifeguard Kira Buchler and compiled a few essential tips to make sure that you and your children stay safe in the water this summer. 

What is the most common safety concern that you have as an experienced lifeguard? 

Kira told us that parental supervision is the most frequently disregarded safety measure at both the pool and the beach. When you are with your children, always be sure to keep a close eye on them, even if they are around other people. Drownings can happen quickly and quietly, even in public pools with adults nearby. Educating parents and our children about the dangers of swimming and the precautions that must be taken in pools, the ocean, or other bodies of water will help reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by drowning while still enabling millions of families to have fun in the water every year. 

Life jackets, life jackets, life jackets! 

For kids who do not yet know how to swim or who are just learning, life jackets are an important safety measure to keep them afloat. Kira recommends that all children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old, in addition to any child under 48 inches who cannot swim, be equipped with a life jacket when a parent is not in the water with them. Life jackets prevent kids from sinking below the water, even in depths where they cannot stand. If you’re with your young children in the water, life jackets are not necessary so long as you are devoting your full attention towards monitoring and supporting them. Avoid deeper waters until your children can swim or stand unless you are with them in the water. 

Display extra swimming caution at the beach. 

Unlike a pool, the ocean has waves, currents, and stretches for many, many miles into the horizon. These signature components of the ocean make it a potential danger, especially for younger children. Kira recommends that, if a child cannot swim, then that child should be attended to by a parent “100% of the time” and should abstain from traveling anywhere beyond knee or waist depth in the water. Additionally, pay close attention to any beach warning flags, as they indicate the ocean’s current hazard level. Green flags represent calm waters, yellow flags say to exercise caution, and red flags generally mean that the water is too dangerous to swim in. 

Additionally, riptides, or strong currents that can pull people away from the shore and into deeper waters, serve as another threat at the beach that swimmers need to look out for. If caught in a riptide, it is important not to fight the current and try to swim against it, as this will tire you out and can result in drowning. Instead, focus on treading water, getting others’ attention, and staying afloat until there is a break in the current. Once you are no longer being pulled, swim back to shore. Ensuring that you and your children are aware of what to do in the event of a riptide is a key safety precaution that will keep you and your family safe at the beach. 

Be aware of storms and inclement weather. 

While you should always avoid being outside during a thunderstorm, it is especially important to stay away from lightning when you are in the water, even if it is not raining yet. Kira says that if lightning is spotted within five miles of a pool, it is highly recommended that everyone leaves the water until thirty minutes have passed since the last lightning strike. This is especially important at the beach, where, according to the NOAA, strikes on the water can spread and electrocute nearby fish and people. If you hear thunder or see lightning, make sure that you and your children retreat to at least 100 yards away from the shoreline. 

Thank you, Kira! Let’s have a fun summer and be safe around water!

Sign up for swim lessons

• Group Swim Lessons
• Private Swim Lessons