YMCA and Myrtle Waves Partner to Host “YMCA Member Apprecation Day at Myrtle Waves” 

Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA and Myrtle Waves will host a family picnic fundraiser to support the Hope and Possibilities Fund at the YMCA

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina and Myrtle Waves will host YMCA Member Appreciation Day at Myrtle Waves on August 24, 2024. YMCA of Coastal Carolina members and their guests are invited to purchase $35 tickets which will include all-day access to Myrtle Waves and a picnic buffet from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Members can purchase as many tickets as they would like, and will need to show their YMCA membership ID card at the gate the day of the event to purchase tickets at the Myrtle Waves. Anyone interested in attending this event is asked to fill out the form on MyrtleWaves.com to get details and updates about the fundraising event.

YMCA Member Appreciation Day at Myrtle Waves

  • Date: August 24, 2024 
  • Water park time: Tickets include all-day access to Myrtle Waves during their normal operating hours that day
  • Picnic time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Register online: Families are asked to pre-register for the event online to get more information and details at https://www.myrtlewaves.com/ymca-family-day/
  • YMCA Member Tickets: Members with YMCA of Coastal Carolina membership cards are able to purchase $35 tickets at Myrtle Waves on August 24, 2024 and will include all-day waterpark access plus the picnic. Card must be presented for special pricing.

A portion of every ticket will support the YMCA of Coastal Carolina’s Hope and Possibilties Fund, which provides program and financial assistance for families in need. This fundraiser will help support the YMCA’s mission, which is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. In order to fulfill the mission, the YMCA of Coastal Carolina provides low-cost programs and financial assistance for Afterschool, swim lessons, youth sports, summer camps, memberships, and healthy living programs to ensure that all in the communities we serve can participate in programs and become a member of the YMCA.

David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, said, “The YMCA of Coastal Carolina’s vision for the next five years is to improve the mental and physical health of residents in the Grand Strand, make all in our community safer around water, provide opportunities for kids to learn and gain confidence, and offer quality, affordable childcare to all parents who want to work. This event provides uninterupted family time for our members. In addition, the proceeds will support our Hope and Possibiltiies Fund, which funds free and subsidized programs for the community as well as financial assistance for those families in need who are unable to afford the fees. We are able to provide programs  to the community thanks to the generous support of community partners like Lazarus Entertainment Group.” 

Mark Lazurus, CEO of Lazarus Entertainment Group, adds, ““We are committed to supporting our community and are appreciative of YMCA teaming up with us for a special fundraiser! The YMCA does so much for the Grand Strand area and we are honored to be apart of YMCA Family Day at Myrtle Waves.”

YMCA of Coastal Carolina Hosts Open House Block Party in Andrews

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina is hosting Open House Block Party, a free family-friendly event to celebrate back to school and the launch of YMCA programs in Andrews! The event will be held on August 24th from 10 am – 2 pm on 30 E. Main Street in Andrews, South Carolina.

The community is invited to come to Main Street, learn about the YMCA and enjoy free live entertainment and activities.

About Divine Harmony

Divine Harmony have worked hard to complete two EP’s titled “We Made It” and “He Can Do It” with the help of recording artist Jarell Smalls. Divine Harmony Consists of Kenyetta Hannah, Tramaine H. Timmons, Muryel Sumpter, Kayland Williams and Jamar Moore.

The gospel group has travel to Florida, New York, Georgia, North Carolina and varies areas in the United States. They are encouraged by God and believe that through God, all things are possible.

Food Trucks

  • Chikeez One Stop Eatery
  • Rocco’s Authentic Street Food
  • Tree Treats LLC-The Ice Cream Trailer
  • Session Gourmet Italian Ice
  • Andrews Nutrition

Outdoor Live Entertainment

  • Youth Choir
  • Divine Harmony
  • DJ
  • Demo Class

Indoor Youth Activities

  • Pac mania-Arcade Game
  • NFL Blitz-Arcade Game
  • Pop A Shot
  • Active Coloring Banner
  • Skee Ball
  • Free Haircuts/ school supplies give away

Outdoor Youth Activities

  • Bouncing castle
  • Bouncy Slide

  • Basketball Goals

We hope to see you there!

Tidelands Health offers special lesson to summer campers!

Tidelands Health goes to summer camp

Kids participating in summer camps offered by the YMCA of Coastal Carolina got a special lesson from Tidelands Health.

For the first time, the not-for-profit health system joined the camp lineup, offering an interactive session teaching the importance of proper hand hygiene to limit the spread of germs.

“Summer camp is a perfect place to reach children with fun, interactive ways to help them learn and start practicing healthy habits like proper handwashing early in life,” said Alisa Kimmel, community outreach registered nurse at Tidelands Health, the exclusive health system partner of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. 

During the camp sessions, a special lotion meant to mimic germs on hands could only be seen using a glow light, driving home the message to campers ages 6 to 8 to always wash their hands properly. After washing their hands at the sink to remove the lotion, kids held their hands under the glow light to see any spots they might have missed.

“The campers all wanted to know if they were glowing,” said Kimmel, a former school nurse who led the camp sessions. “Kids are so visual, they like to see it. It’s a fun, interactive way to drive home the message and help instill healthy habits early in life that will serve these campers well as they grow.”

As the exclusive health system partner of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, Tidelands Health collaborates with the YMCA to improve health and wellness in the region. The health system recently supported the expansion of the Safety Around Water program to Myrtle Beach. Also known as YSplash!, the program teaches second graders life-saving lessons in water safety for free.

Press Release: YMCA of Coastal Carolina to Expand Programs to Conway and The Market Common 

YMCA of Coastal Carolina to Expand to Conway and The Market Common 

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina secures state funding to expand programs into Conway and The Market Common 

Myrtle Beach, July 11, 2024 – The YMCA of Coastal Carolina is thrilled to announce it will receive significant funding from the state of South Carolina to support expansion of YMCA programs into Conway and The Market Common. Horry Georgetown Technical College is donating office space on each campus to support this expansion. This generous allocation from the state budget and partnership with HGTC underscores the vital role that the YMCA plays in promoting community health, youth development, and wellness. 

The funding and partnership will enable the YMCA of Coastal Carolina to enhance current offerings and introduce new initiatives aimed at serving a broader segment of Horry County. The YMCA will hire a director for each location to begin building partnerships, secure locations to run programs, and start programming this fall.  

“We are incredibly grateful for the state’s support and recognition of the YMCA’s impact on community health and youth development,” said David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. “Our partnership with HGTC and this funding will allow us to offer more services, reach more families, and make a larger impact in our Grand Strand community. As we continue to grow, our vision is to ensure all in our community have better access to mental health programs, healthy living opportunities, childcare options, out-of-school support, and water safety programs.”

Horry Georgetown Technical College will provide office space for each of the new site directors, in addition to partnering to bring new iniatives around workforce development and community health programs to the Grand Strand community.

Dr. Marilyn Fore shares, “Horry Georgetown Technical College is pleased to partner with the YMCA assisting in its valuable services to our communities.  The “Y” has a longstanding history of serving others throughout our country.  And now we can help with its footprint in Conway and Myrtle Beach to further support their worthy legacy.  

Hatton Gravely, Chief Development Officer for the YMCA of Coastal Carolina added, “We extend our deepest thanks to Representative Case Brittain and the entire Horry County Legislative Delegation for their dedication and advocacy. Their support was crucial in securing this funding. In addition, our partnership with HGTC will be critical in how we work together with community partners to improve college and career readiness for teens, ensure all in our community are safe around water, make quality childcare affordable for parents who want to work, launch early childhood development programs, and expand our healthy living programs to reach more in the community.” 

Bridging the Afterschool Gap

As summer comes to an end and families begin to plan for the upcoming school year, one significant decision weighs heavily on parents’ minds:

Where will our children go after school?

– the decision weighs heavily on parents’ minds

Why are afterschool programs important?

The hours after the last school bell and before parents come home from work are a risky time for children and teens to be unsupervised. That’s why the YMCA provides afterschool programming to more than 300 kids in our community each day.

Tell me about the YMCA Afterschool program.

YMCA Afterschool provides help with homework, a healthy snack, and leadership programs for our teens. Philanthropic support ensures every child – regardless of their family’s financial circumstances – has a safe, supportive place to be after school.

“I have to work to support our family, but our budget won’t cover after school care for my two kids. What can I do?”

This is a question many parents ask themselves as they make plans for the school year.

Thankfully, the Y can help.

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina Hope and Possibilities Fund makes it possible for parents to say “yes!” to out of school support like Afterschool and summer camps.

Donate to help a family in need send their kids to Afterschool.

Through the support of generous and caring neighbors like you, the Y is able to provide high-quality and affordable after school care to local families – even those on already stretched budgets.

When you give to the Y, you give children the opportunity to thrive, teens a place to belong, and parents the support they need.

Please consider a special back-to-school gift to the Y today. We are all in this together. Thank you for caring for our community’s kids!

YMCA 360 Mobile App: Enhancing Kids’ Summers

by Helina Brown, Bank of America Student Leader

As summer arrives, parents seek engaging and educational activities for their children. YMCA 360 emerges as a versatile tool, offering a variety of interactive videos and programs to enrich kids’ summer experiences.

Diverse Educational Series

YMCA 360 caters to different interests and age groups with its diverse series. “Art Camp” encourages creativity through simple art projects, fostering self-expression and imagination. “Literacy for Littles” offers read-aloud books that improve listening skills and vocabulary, nurturing a love for reading early on. “Camp Exploration” teaches about nature and outdoor activities like bird watching, promoting adventure and curiosity from home.

Accessible Anytime, Anywhere

A key advantage of YMCA 360 is its accessibility. Families can access activities on-demand, whether at home, traveling, or during downtime, thanks to the app’s engaging content library.

Embracing YMCA Values

Built on community, inclusivity, and youth development, YMCA 360 extends these principles into the digital age, ensuring continued nurturing of young minds beyond physical locations.

Peace of Mind for Parents

Parents appreciate YMCA 360 for offering constructive activities that stimulate creativity, promote literacy, and encourage outdoor exploration. It reduces concerns about excessive screen time, emphasizing productive learning experiences.

Conclusion

In today’s digital age, YMCA 360 stands out with its educational content and meaningful activities. Whether your child loves art, books, or outdoor adventures, YMCA 360 enriches their summer and fosters a balanced approach to fun and learning. Learn more about YMCA360

Interested in Camp Exploration?

Check out the links below to access YMCA360!

Get Outside

Art Camps

Literary for Littles

STEAM Day at the Y

Last Friday, the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA hosted STEAM Day in Myrtle Beach for our Afterschool kids. Kids participated in healthy physical activities and health science with Tidelands Health, science, and art projects. Everyone who attended received a STEM toy donated by the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association thanks to our Ltn. Governor Pamela Evette and BMW.

STEAM Day at the Y

Photo Gallery of STEAM Day

At-Home Summer Learning

Every child is at risk for summer learning loss. Reading and learning through play using STEM toys are ways to engage your kids over the summer so they continue learning and are ready to go back to school! Here are more tips for summer learning.

Every child also received copies of STEAM activities!

Summer Learning Sets Kids Up for Success!

Did you know that children who are reading proficiently by 3rd grade are three times more likely to graduate from high school? Sadly, many children do not have access to books during the summer. In middle and upper income communities, there are 13 books per one child, but in lower income communities there is only one book for every 300 children. Because of this, children from low-income households lose 2+ months of reading achievement every summer.

So, what can parents do to help prevent learning loss in their children? Here are a couple of options:

  • Start early! 80% of brain growth happens by the age of three, so anything a parent can do to introduce words, colors, and numbers to a child, no matter how young, will build the foundation for them to be successful! (United Way of Horry County)
  • Check your local libraries for STEM workshops and books for your children! In Georgetown and Horry Counties combined there are over 15 public libraries, many of which have children’s sections for those k-12, along with STEM activity sessions. Librarians are happy to help finding the perfect book for your child, no matter their age or interests!
  • Use online resources! Many websites, such as www.sciencebuddies.org and www.thestemlaboratory.com, offer free STEM activities or worksheets that your children can do from home! YMCA360 is another online resource that can be used; YMCA360 is an app that features over 30 videos of instructors reading books to children of all ages!

Summer STEAM Activities

At the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, we engage the children in our AfterSchool, Jumpstart Preschool, ChildWatch, and Summer Camps in STEM and literacy learning activities that will lead to positive academic outcomes in later years. The success of our children is the success of our future, and we strive to support the wellbeing of all in our community. By participating in summer learning loss prevention tactics, we, and you, can help our children grow and prosper!

YMCA360 Membership

YMCA360 has content for kids, in addition to hundreds of fitness classes!

Join Today

2024 Healthy Kids Day

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina hosted Healthy Kids Day at all three center locations in Georgetown, Pawleys Island, and Myrtle Beach. This free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season.

Healthy Kids Day ® is the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families. For over 30 years, YMCAs and their communities have hosted free community events aimed to inspire kids and families to keep their minds and bodies active throughout the summer months and beyond.This is a nationally recognized event, and during this day, we will be promoting the healthy spirit, mind, and body of the kids in our community.

2024 Healthy Kids Day Photo Album

July 4th Hours 

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Delayed Opening on Friday, Sept. 27th

 

Due to the impending Tropical Storm and potential weather conditions overnight, in order to keep our members and staff safe, all YMCA of Coastal Carolina center locations will delay opening hours on Friday, September 27th, 2024.

  • Friday, September 27, 2024: All three YMCA of Coastal Carolina centers will open at 10 a.m. 
     

Please stay safe and check our website for updates.

 

Updated Hours Today

We hope you and your family stayed safe during the storm. We will resume normal operations at all three YMCA of Coastal Carolina center locations at 11 a.m. today. 

  • Thursday, August 31: All three center locations will reopen at 11 a.m.
  • Friday, September 1: All three center locations will be open during normal hours.
 24-hour access will be unavailable to Tidelands Health Georgetown Family YMCA during the times the center is closed but will resume as normal tonight.