Summers fade, memories endure

BY VICTOR G. MIMONI

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 12:15 PM EDT

Officially, summer doesn’t start until the northern hemisphere is most tilted toward the sun – at 7:28 a.m. local time on June 21 this year – but for kids, summer can begin when you sign them up for camp.

In northeast Queens, the Flushing YMCA is offering two camps; at the Bayside YMCA, located at 214-13 35th Avenue and at the familiar Flushing location at 138-46 Northern Boulevard in Flushing.

“We offer a safe place for kids and teens to make friends, swim, play sports, go on trips, build strong core values, develop new skills, participate in fun summer learning activities and at the end of summer leave camp as a stronger, more well-rounded individual,” said Lizette Martell, After-school Director at the Flushing Y.

Both camps are fully accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).

“ACA Accreditation means that the Flushing YMCA submitted to a thorough (up to 300 standards) review of its operation,” said Cindy Moore, of the National Standards Commission. “From staff qualifications and training to emergency management [they] complied with the highest standards in the industry,” she added.

New for summer 2010, the Y has Swim Camp for ages 7-12 years, that offers the opportunity for beginning and intermediate swimmers to strengthen their skills, by following the National YMCA Model for swimming four times a week.

The camp will emphasize mechanics, technique, stroke, and personal safety tips in and around water. In addition campers will participate in traditional camp activities such as arts & crafts, theme days, group games, field trips, and more.

“The YMCA Camp and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety,” Martell said, adding “ACA accreditation demonstrates our commitment to quality camp programming.”

The camps operate from the end of June to the end of August – with a post camp from August 23, to August 27 this year. For more information, call the Flushing Y at 718-961-6880, or visit www.ymcanyc.org/flushing.

ACA is the only independent accrediting organization reviewing camp operations in the country and collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation.

For more parent-focused information about accreditation, visit www.CampParents.org.