For over 20 years the Central YMCA has run a state-licensed program year-round for school age youth (Kinder - 6th grade) at Booksin Elementary School. Our program offers a variety of educational and recreational activities including arts and crafts, sports, science and multi-cultural programs, leadership opportunities, and homework assistance. The program is based on the YMCA’s Character Development Program emphasizing honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility as core values we all should embody. We also focus on building self-esteem and social skills development through small group work and providing the youth with options.
For more information about our child care program at Booksin Elementary School, click here.
Click here, to learn more about our School Break Day Camp programs at Booksin Elementary.
The youth in the program participate in any number of activities that focus on strengthening their mind, body, and spirit. These activities are created by the staff, with the youth’s input taken into consideration, and rotate throughout the month. Some examples of these activities are: video production, sports, dancing, and science experiments.
All children are given the opportunity to participate in physical activity daily. There are structured games planned as well as time for free choice activities. Each day the children are provided with a healthy snack that includes two healthy components. Due to the high number of allergies, peanuts are not offered as a snack. Other food allergy accommodations are made as well. In an effort to fight childhood obesity children also learn about healthy lifestyles that include being physically active and making healthy food choices.
Each child is provided with an opportunity to work on their homework during the program hours. Although we are not a homework completion center the staff do their best to assist each child in completing as much of their homework as possible.

For the 5th and 6th graders in the program there is an opportunity to participate in the site's YLT program. This program provides the youth with leadership opportunities at the site and allows them to mentor the younger participants. The program is implemented and overseen at all times by the program staff. YLTs also get the opportunity to give back to their community through various philanthropic and service learning projects.
Throughout the year Kids Night Out events are held regularly. These are after hour events that run from 6- 10 PM in which the kids get to hang out and have fun in a safe and structured environment. Dinner and a movie as well as other activities are provided. These are also fundraising events that help provide financial assistance to families. For more information about giving to the YMCA click here.
The child care program runs not only during the school year, but also during the summer. The program is open from 7:30 AM- 6 PM daily (excluding holidays). Once a week the youth are taken on a highlight field trip as well as one day of swimming at a local pool. They also visit a local park and participate in various arts and crafts projects and sports.
The program is seen as not merely a child care center, but an extension of the children’s school community and family. For this reason family involvement is highly encouraged. Families are able to participate in the programs, receive monthly e-newsletters written by the staff and children, and attend branch family events.

The program hours of operation are from 6:30am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday on days that school is in session. On minimum days, teacher in-service days, summer, spring, and winter vacation days, the program is available for an extra fee.
The program will be closed in observance of the following holidays:
Child Care Site Information |
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Booksin Elementary School |
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