Cass County YMCA offers free summer memberships to all middle schoolers
Last Updated on May 20, 2019 by cassnetwork
LOGANSPORT– Summertime means freedom and free time for all school-aged kids. And thanks to the generous support of the United Way, it also means free YMCA summer memberships for all 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
Why middle schoolers? Research shows that middle school is a critical time in a young person’s life when exposure to risk factors greatly increases. Risk factors are conditions or influences that have been shown to increase the likelihood for unhealthy behaviors including substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and violence. It is also during the early teen years that youths begin to distance themselves from family and positive support systems.
The purpose of the Middle School Initiative is to provide an opportunity for the Y to engage, cultivate, and connect with youth at a time that is most crucial to their development. “By providing 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders a safe environment to make new friends, discover healthier lifestyles all while having fun, we are paving the way for brighter futures for each and every one of them,” said Derreck Parkevich, Executive Director of the Cass County Family Y.
HOW TO JOIN
1. Bring a school ID (or report card), a paragraph of what caring, honesty, respect and responsibility mean to you, and a parent or guardian to the Cass County Family Y.
2. Parent or guardian will complete required membership paperwork.
3. Middle schooler may begin using membership on May 24th.*
*Membership activates May 24th, 2019 and runs through August 6th, 2019.
Parents and students are encouraged to stop by the Cass County Family Y between 11am and 1:30pm on Friday, May 24th for a cookout, guided tour, paperwork assistance, and to sign up for a fitness orientation.
SOURCE: News release from Cass County Family Y