Colonia Learning Center

August is National Back to School Month, and we want your family to be prepared! Here is your friendly reminder to make sure you have everything on your child’s classroom supply list, reset those summer bedtimes well before the big day and communicate any changes in routine with the entire family. Here’s to a happy, healthy and safe back-to-school season!

When school is out, the Y is in! In honor of National Back to School Month, we want to remind you of all our great Before and Afterschool Care programming, to ensure your child is taken care of before or after their school day! Visit https://loom.ly/RVrAvTk to learn more.

Drowning has caused over 2.5 million deaths in the last decade. Globally, the highest drowning rates occur among children aged 1–4 years, followed by children aged 5–9 years. The human, social and economic toll of these losses is intolerably high, and entirely preventable. On World Drowning Prevention Day, discover how we can help your family be safe around water year-round. Visit ymcaofmewsa.org/swimming to learn more.

Research confirms that the arts prepare students for school, life, and the workplace. With the right plan, summer can be the perfect canvas for creativity and self-expression through music, literature, dance, theater, visual arts and more. Spark the imagination this summer to unlock the power of amazing arts.

Ready, Set, Succeed! Support a student in charting their course for success during and beyond high school. A summer job, internship, mentorship or plan to pursue higher education, sets our future leaders on a path to change the world.

Runners get ready, the Tot Trot is just around the corner! Join us at St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen on October 27th for our annual family event 🎃🍁 All funds from the Tot Trot support families in need through childcare tuition scholarships. Purchase your tickets and support your neighbors at ymcaofmewsa.org/tot-trot

Healthy bodies and healthy minds go hand-in-hand when it comes to learning. Summer is the perfect time to get children on their feet, moving and eating healthy. Studies have found that elements of wellness, such as hope and gratitude, improve academic performance! Visit ymcaofmewsa.org/camp to view our summer camps, an easy and fun way to improve your child's wellness!

Reading is fun! It's also critical to a child’s success in school, and in life. Empower children to immerse themselves in a literary adventure. It can take place anywhere, under a tree, in a makeshift tent, or in a child's favorite nook. Let imaginations run wild with amazing stories this summer.

The pandemic's impact on youth has been startling, and the U.S. Surgeon General has raised a flag on young people's mental health. The science of learning and development tells us that relationships are key for addressing trauma and helping kids thrive. Forging and fostering friendships over the summer can lead to limitless opportunities and cherished memories for young people! Enroll your child in summer camp today at ymcaofmewsa.org/camp

Red, white and blue (and fireworks, too!) Happy 4th of July, from all of us at the YMCA of MEWSA! 🎆🎇

Be a good neighbor! On World Refugee Day and every day, be kind and welcome your neighbors with open arms and caring hearts. You never know what someone has gone through to be where they are today, so remember to always practice kindness, patience and acceptance.

Drowning in NJ is a significant risk, particularly for underserved groups. According to USA Swimming Foundation, 64% of Black Americans and 45% of Hispanic Americans have little to no swimming ability, compared to 40% of white Americans. Black Americans people drown at a rate 1.5 times higher than white Americans and the disparity is greater for Black children, with drowning rates over 2.5 times higher for ages 5-9 and more than 3.5 times higher for ages 10-14.

The statistics are sobering, but drowning deaths are preventable. With state funding, YMCAs across New Jersey are aiming to provide 20,000 free swim lessons to children in underserved communities, so every child is safe around water. We need your help to make this happen!

Please contact your state legislators and tell them to support Assembly Budget Resolution 4426 & Senate Budget Resolution 4614 that would provide $5 million in FY2025 to the NJ YMCA State Alliance to be distributed to local YMCAs to support greater and more equitable access to life-saving Safety Around Water (SAW) and swim instruction, as well as youth engagement in New Jersey’s Youth & Government Program (YAG). Find your state legislators and their contact information here: https://loom.ly/Z132Ukc

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, celebrates the emancipation of those who were enslaved—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. To celebrate, we invite you to learn more about this day of freedom!

Camp is one week away! At the Y, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to make new friends and build new skills all summer long. Visit ymcaofmewsa.org/give to give a child in your community the gift of summer fun 🏊☀️🎨

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and dad figures in our Y family! Thank you for all you do to keep our families and our community healthy and strong! Did you know that Father’s Day started at the Y? Over 110 years ago, a young woman raised by her single father wanted to celebrate fatherhood. The first Father’s Day celebration was held at the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910

Camp is just around the corner and we're ready! This past weekend, YMCA of MEWSA and Raritan Bay Area YMCA camp counselors came together to learn how to give all of our campers the best summer ever ☀️🤩 If you're not signed up yet, don't worry, there's still time! Visit ymcaofmewsa.org/camp to view camp availability.

Last year, over 150 thousand dollars were donated to support families in need. This summer, we want to ensure that every child gets to stay active, make friends and learn lots of new things through camp! Visit ymcaofmewsa.org/give to give a child in your neighborhood the gift of summer fun ☀️🏀🎨

It’s Founders’ Day! On this date in 1844, George Williams and 11 other young men held a meeting in London that would lead to the founding of the YMCA. For 180 years, the Y has worked to strengthen communities –creating the first group swim classes, spearheading the first English as a Second Language (ESL) class and addressing chronic disease through programs like the Y’s Diabetes Prevention Program.

We're wrapping up National Water Safety Month with one final tip.

Tip # 6: Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water.

If an adult or child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try and save them. Even if they are a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer under water. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them, and pull them to safety. By using this technique, an adult or child can help their friend without compromising their own safety.

May is National Water Safety Month, and we're sharing tips on how we can all stay safe in and around the water.

Tip # 5: Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced or non-swimmers should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in or around the water.

In memory of many, in honor of all. On this Memorial Day, we express our gratitude and say thank you.

May is National Water Safety Month, and we're sharing tips on how we can all stay safe in and around the water.

Tip # 4: Don’t engage in breath holding activities.

Both adults and children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.

Make a splash with us! Join our team as a Lifeguard and dive into a rewarding career protecting lives 💧Apply for a summer job with us here: https://loom.ly/E1V_VSM or contact [email protected] to learn more!

May is National Water Safety Month, and we're sharing tips on how we can all stay safe in and around the water.

Tip # 3: Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water.

Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.

Summer is just around the corner and we're getting ready for our night at the ballpark! Join us for our 2nd YMCA Family Night at Somerset Patriots. Join us for a night of great food, unlimited soft drinks, a great game and fireworks 🎆 all in amazing seats! Purchase tickets for the whole family here: https://loom.ly/ruzEMpM

May is National Water Safety Month, and we're sharing tips on how we can all stay safe in and around the water.

Tip # 2: Never swim alone without a water watcher.

When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms and mom figures in our Y family! Thank you for all you do to keep our families and our community healthy and strong!