Monroe County YMCA Offers Summer Camp With Help From $1,235 Rapid Response Grant

(BLOOMINGTON) – In May, the Monroe County YMCA was awarded $1,235 for a Rapid Response Grant (Round 3) from the Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County. Due to the Community Foundation’s generosity, the Y purchased 10 outdoor handwashing stations to help provide a healthy environment for Summer Camp kids and staff.

The 2020 Summer Camp at the Y was different this year while the COVID-19 situation continued. To help prevent the spread of the virus, the handwashing stations helped the Y safely serve approximately 100 children each week of camp and 15 camp counselors at the Southeast Y. Several additional health and safety protocols were initiated, including creating small pods of campers, performing wellness checks prior to children and staff entering camp, and conducting extensive sanitation procedures.

“It was critical for the Y to help provide essential childcare to families who returned to work over the summer months,” said Matt Osgood, Development Director at the Monroe County Y. “As Monroe County slowly re-opened, families needed a safe and healthy place for children to go so parents could begin working again. The Community Foundation helped us provide that space, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

Children have also been affected greatly during this time: they’ve experienced physical isolation from others, lack of exercise, and increased screen time. They have lost the routines and structure that school provides. This summer, the Y was able to provide children with a stress-free, tech-free, and safe environment where they can enjoy time with friends and feel the joy of physical activity.

Summer Camp doesn’t just serve families; it also serves camp counselors. Y Camp is a way for young adults to earn an income and learn work habits that will stay with them for life. By receiving this grant, the Y was able to help and nurture the community as we work to recover from this pandemic.

If you have questions about the grant, or would like to learn how you can support the Y, please contact Matt Osgood at 812-961-2169 or mosgood@monroecountyymca.org.