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Kidz Zone Before & After School Program

The YMCA partners with 7 school districts in the Will and Grundy County area to provide the Kidz Zone Before and After School Recreational program to busy working parents in 34 schools.   YMCA Before and After School Programs ensure children develop friendships and are given a unique mix of activities that focus on developmental assets, the building blocks that teach children how to make positive decisions.

While in a YMCA Before and After School program, children participate in a balanced program of open play and structured activities while being supervised by well-trained and caring staff who teach, model, and reinforce the Christian character values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.  Additionally, nutritious snacks are provided and children can also receive care on school holidays and other days off of school .  YMCA Youth Programs ensure every child deepens positive values, their commitment to service, and their motivation to learn.  In each program, children develop to their fullest potential in partnership with their families. Best of all, YMCA Before and After School Programs are AFFORDABLE.

Hours

YMCA Before and After School programs run Monday – Friday, 7am-start of school & end of school-6pm on each day of a schools calendar year.

Program Fees

In our program brochures, you’ll find two fees listed for each program.  Full Members receive priority registration and a lower fee on all YMCA programs.  Those who just want to take programs, may do so by purchasing a Program Membership for one low fee each year.  Additionally, Program Members pay a higher fee on programs. Click here to learn about other Values of YMCA membership.

To keep fees the same each month, the annual cost of Kidz Zone is divided equally into 10 payments.  The first payment is due upon enrollment and the remaining 9 fees are paid via automatic withdrawal from a checking account.  Fees are prorated for those starting once the school year begins.  Financial Assistance may be available to those in need, see below for more information.

Registration Fee:

$45 non refundable registration fee per child

2009/2010 School Year Rates:

• Before and After:       $290/$310 mo. installment
• Before only:                $195/$215 mo. installment
• After only:                  $$240/$260 mo. installment

Registration

Each participant must have a completed Kidz Zone Registration Form on file in order to attend.  Take the following to the branch nearest you to ensure your child’s place in Kidz Zone:

• Completed registration form for each child
• YMCA membership fee
• $45 registration fee per child
• First installment per child (the remaining 9 fees are paid via automatic withdrawal from a checking account - see brochure or your branch for further details)

Locations

Each branch provides offerings based on the needs of their members. The following branches offer Holiday Camp at their locations.  Details about each camp can be found in the program brochure including description, ages, days, times, cost and weekly themes.  For more information about the camp, contact the staff below.

Financial Assistance

If you have recently experienced a life change such as job loss or increased medical expenses, you are not alone! The YMCA is here to serve you and strengthen our community during tough economic times.  Through our financial assistance program, you may qualify to receive assistance for you & your family to participate in the YMCA at a reduced rate.   Thanks to our generous donors who contribute to the YMCA’s Annual Giving Campaign, assistance is made available to those in need (subject to facility and program capacity and available funds).

Child Care Resource and Referral

The YMCA accepts payment from Child Care Resource and Referral and other third party providers.  We ask that all families apply first through CCRR, so that YMCA scholarship dollars can be utilized for those who do not qualify for such funds; allowing more children to attend YMCA summer camp.

Additional Funds

The YMCA receives grant dollars from the Lambert Fund to send children to camp at the Avery and Galowich branches.  Funds from the Community Foundation of Grundy County, the City of Morris and the Morris Rotary Club help provide scholarships to Morris Day Camp.  Additionally, dollars raised from the YMCA’s Giving Gala provide dollars for children at the Avery branch to go to camp.

Central City Programs

The Cental City YMCA, a “YMCA without walls” provides subsidized programs during the after school hours through funding by the United Way of Will County and other generous donors.  Their generosity allows the YMCA to provide children Joliet District 86 and Laraway schools with safe and structured activities during the often dangerous afterschool hours.  Teen Achievers, held at the Joliet Township High Schools, a choral program held at Laraway school and the Youth Basketball and Cheerleading program are a few of the popular programs offered at this branch.  See the Central City page and the Mission and Values tab for additional information.

We Need Your Help

Funds from the YMCA’s Annual Giving Campaign help keep Kidz Zone fees low.  It additionally provides financial assistance to those in need.  Requests for Financial Assistance are higher than average due to these tough economic times.  Please help us ensure all parents in need of YMCA Before and After school programs are provided services and that their children have the fun, enriching school year they deserve. Donate today!

K-Kidz

For Kindergarteners at select schools the YMCA offers the K-Kidz program at the Galowich location to help parents with care during the additional time their Kindergartener is not in school.  For children attending both MORNING & AFTERNOON KINDERGARTEN, the YMCA provides transportation from many area schools.  Children can join the Kidz Zone portion for the rest of their day, if needed.  Please send a lunch and drink each day.  The YMCA will provide a nutritious snack