YMCA of Northern Utah

The YMCA Afterschool Program helps youth succeed academically, learn positive values and behaviors, explore new talents, and discover their full potential. At all of our program sites, the daily schedule includes at least 30 minutes of personalized academic support, at least 30 minutes of physical activity, a healthy snack or meal, and a variety of enrichment clubs that provide new learning opportunities and experiences for youth. Youth will also participate in at least clubs each day based on their individual interests and needs. We use the Project Based Learning (PBL) model from You for Youth in our Afterschool programs. PBL is shown to engage critical thinking skills, which in turn shows positive growth in social-emotional competencies. Our staff looks at several factors including grades, social-emotional development needs based on results from the DESSA (a nationally-recognized social-emotional development measurement tool) and needs and interests of youth when planning and designing clubs. We also encourage youth to design and lead clubs. Our program model addresses the academic achievement gap through a sequenced, active, focused and explicit (S.A.F.E.) framework which research has shown is associated with: 1) significant improvements in self-perceptions, school bonding, and positive social behaviors; 2) significant reductions in conduct problems and drug use; and 3) significant increases in test scores, grades, and school attendance.

The YMCA overnight camps, Camp Roger and Camp Mill Hollow, have introduced thousands of children and teens to Utah’s amazing mountain landscape while engaging them in wilderness exploration and adventures, environmental stewardship, and leadership development. While away from the routine back home, youth have the chance to develop confidence and independence by taking on new responsibilities and challenges. Activities at Camp teach youth to live in a community, build self-esteem, and make lasting friendships. Our goal is to help kids stay active in mind and body during critical summer months. Through the week, campers participate in a range of activities that vary between the two camps and include: archery, arts and crafts, mountain biking, outdoor education, orienteering, horseback riding, leadership training, and more. Camp Roger has been in operation for over 65 years. Camp Roger operates weekly camp programs starting in June and concluding in August. Camp Mill Hollow has been in operation by Granite School District for nearly 55 years. The YMCA of Northern Utah took over operations of Camp Mill Hollow in 2017 and we are excited to continue growing Camp Mill Hollow in the years to come. Camp Mill Hollow operates weekly camp programs starting in June and concluding in August.

Camp gives kids the opportunity to learn, to belong, unplug, and connect. At Camp, kids learn about acceptance and tolerance. They stay with their cabin mates, share stories and life lessons, and learn to appreciate others for who they are. Camp is a place where kids feel they belong. Kids’ lives are filled with distractions like video games, social media, and TV. Camp gives kids the much-needed chance to disconnect from the technological world and re-learn how to connect face-to-face. We also teach kids how to make new friends and provide positive staff role models to help them be successful at Camp and connect with others. The “cabin group” structure gives kids an identity at Camp that helps them fit in and Camp staff work extremely hard to help kids connect with each other, make new friends, and form positive bonds with the staff.

The YMCA's Summer Day Camp is a fun and unique experience that gives children and teens the opportunity to discover their full potential, play, meet new friends and create memories that last a lifetime. Y Camp is all about learning outside of school, exploring and appreciating the outdoors, developing new skills, making friends and showing leadership. Youth have a chance to develop confidence and independence by taking on new responsibilities and challenges.