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60 percent decrease

YMCA receives federal funds to offer affordable licensed seasonal day camps

Dec 1, 2020 | 5:18 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Working families are able to access child care at a lower cost at the YMCA thanks to other federal government funding.

YMCA CEO Sharon Hayward says savings will work out to $20 a day for the day camps.

Which is about a 60 percent decrease.

These dollars will be used to directly offset the cost of licensed day camps scheduled for PD days and school breaks including Christmas, February break, and Easter.

“It’s hard because families either have their kids in school or already have their kids in other childcare and then when the school breaks happen, there’s an additional cost. It’s usually extra above and beyond what they’re already paying.”

Hayward says child care is essential so that families can go to work.

“And even though right now, I know lots of families and parents are nervous about having to send their kids to childcare but it’s still the reality for people that need it. So that’s where we’re committed to making sure we have the safest childcare programs possible, following all COVID-19 regulations. We’re excited to be able to provide this opportunity in a way that’s extremely affordable.”

The money is coming from the government of Canada’s COVID-19 Emergency Community Support Fund in the amount of $39,330.

That will be administered by the United Way of South Eastern Alberta.

The seasonal day camp schedule can be found by visiting this link.

Hayward assures they are running these programs as safely as possible and have been following public health standards since they resumed. Public health has also been in several times to inspect.

“We are going above and beyond to keep kids and staff as safe as we can,” she added.

Meantime, the YMCA is selling gift cards for their services.

People can use them to purchase any YMCA service like youth day camps or YMCA gym memberships.