Five Reasons to Get Your Child Involved in Y Afterschool Programming

As another summer winds down and a new school year is on the horizon, the Shiawassee Family YMCA wants to remind parents and caregivers that the Y's before & after school care programs are a place where children can remain active and engaged during their time out of school — a critical time for all school-age children. Below, we've listed five reasons your child should get involved with Y before & after school care once school starts!
Physical Activity
The Y's after school programs combine learning with play. Each day, we provide physical activity which is vital to the overall health and wellbeing of every child in our program. Some physical activities include playground time, organized fitness activities, and a variety of sports.
Healthy Eating Habits
Teaching children the importance of nutrition and healthy eating is key to their success — both in and out of school. At Boxcar and The Learning Zone, we ensure that kids in our community are provided with healthy after school snacks any time they are in our care and are taught healthy eating habits. 
Academics, Arts & STEM
The Y's before & after school programs help fill gaps in schools and communities where some academic and recreational activities may be limited. Kids can improve their study habits and reading skills; gain exposure to the arts; find a love for STEM activities and much more. Some of these activities include crafts, science experiments and language arts projects.
Character Building
Kids who attend Boxcar and Learning Zone demonstrate improvement in the values, skills, attitudes and behaviors needed for success in school and in life. Kids can achieve, feel a sense of belonging and explore new interests every time they attend one of our programs. 
Safety Standards
It is vital that children have a safe, enriching environment for learning, both in and out of school. The Shiawassee Family YMCA and its partners, Durand Area Schools and Owosso Public Schools, uphold the highest level of safety standards. 

For more information on either of our Before & After School Care Programs, visit Durand Boxcar or The Learning Zone.