Megan Robinson
Staff Reporter

It’s much more than a catchy song and dance, the YMCA is an organization focused on improving the community individual by individual. The YMCA has played a part in developing the lives of many students at McDaniel. Daniel Green recalls how participating in a group called the Indian Guides with his father brought them closer together. Megan McCole remembers spending many afternoons there while her mother worked in the daycare center. She said it gave her the opportunity to meet kids she otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to meet. Alex Spivack even first learned her days of the week at a YMCA preschool program.

The YMCA has had a personal impact on my life as well. I spent many summers and weekends there with my three older siblings. When I was older I became a volunteer. When I needed a job the YMCA found me one. Then when I needed money for college the YMCA gave me a scholarship. The YMCA played a part in mine and other McDaniel Students’ lives, but those experiences were only the beginning of what the YMCA has to offer individuals. It offers many opportunities to those who seek them. So why should you care about the Y? because it cares about you.

Just as it helped to enrich the lives of some of our students, its programs continue to inspire a new generation, and enrich our society today. Mike Walters, the center director at the Carroll County YMCA, discussed some programs the local YMCA and YMCA’s nationwide offer. The YMCA helps teach leadership skills to older kids through their Youth and Government Programs, Yo! Baltimore Program, and Urban Debate team; 6000 teens participate in these programs in central Maryland. Walters feels these programs “opens their eyes to the government” and offers a place to “get their ideas heard.” He spoke about one former participant in the program, Aaron Luce, a student at American University. His participation in the program led him to an interest in politics, and he recently worked on Senator Ben Cardin’s campaign for office.

The YMCA also offers many programs for young children. It has children’s sports leagues that not only help children stay healthy but also teach young children teamwork and socialization skills. Walters believes so strongly in the YMCA sports program that his daughter played on the soccer and basketball teams.

The YMCA also offers before and after school programs, with discounts available for low income families. In fact, of the 900 children that participated in the YMCA’s Head Start program 90% of them were below poverty level. The YMCAs offer summer camps with curriculums certified through the American Camping Association. About 160 children a week attend the Carroll County YMCA camp. Walters said the camps aid character development and provide a place for kids to “have fun in a safe environment.”

The YMCA also offers fitness classes for children and adults with disabilities. A YMCA in Bloomington, Indiana offers an adapted martial arts class for children with disabilities that has been especially successful with Autistic kids. These classes help the students improve their social skills and information processing.

The YMCA also offers some excellent immigrant outreach programs. Some YMCAs offer English as a Second Language Classes, and Spanish classes, for people who want to communicate with the growing Hispanic community. Additionally, the YMCA has started a nationwide program called the International Leadership Institute where facility directors travel to Hispanic countries to better understand the Hispanic culture. These trips allow them to better serve the Hispanic community, which have been growing.

Rick Reigner, the director of a YMCA in the Chicago area, went on one of these trips. He said before his trip the Hispanic parents expressed concern that “while they wanted their children to grow up in America and succeed, they didn’t want them to lose their traditional values”; upon Reigner’s return he said “I was able to make the connection and know exactly what they were talking about.” These programs help the YMCA to serve all members of the community as best possible.

The Carroll County YMCA has a large impact on the community. It has nearly 5,200 members, some of whom participate in their adult fitness and sports programs. It offers a swim team, and adult basketball team. Many of the members also volunteer at the YMCA. The facility has nearly 275 volunteers, but only about ten year round full-time employees, according to Walters “volunteers are the YMCA’s foundation.” The YMCA offers many employment opportunities in the summer, when it takes on more staff. The Central Maryland YMCA even offers a scholarship to YMCA employees.

Additionally, the YMCA has some free special events open to all community members, such as Healthy Kids Day on April 18, Family Night on May 16, and in the Fall, Halloween Extravaganza. So the next time you hear that familiar song, perhaps you’ll think of more than just a cop, a fireman and an Indian.

If you have any questions about employment or volunteer opportunities at the Carroll County YMCA contact Mike Walters at 410-848-3660, or visit the YMCA website at www.ymaryland.org.