The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities is expanding its "Get Summer" program offering free memberships and meals for teens after high demand during its rollout in 2017.
They have room for 6,250 teens this summer, up from 4,800 last year. The memberships give participants access to all the typical YMCA amenities — gyms, pools, weight rooms and fitness classes — and based on feedback from last year's teen members, the Y is adding programs about leadership development, college readiness and diversity and inclusion.
"The Y is a really safe space for young people throughout the summer, " said Chad Lanners, senior vice president of operations. "Statistics show risky behaviors like drinking and violence have an opportunity to increase during the summer when time is less structured."
But the greater concern today, when technology is so prevalent, might be around what teens are not doing, Lanners said. Get Summer creates opportunities for teens to make friends and build their skills face-to-face.
"Young people are sitting on their phones, watching the TV, navigating the computer," Lanners said.
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, created in 2004 by the Best Buy founder, has given the YMCA $500,000 over three years to offer the Get Summer program. Sign-up starts June 1 online or at Y branches for teens entering grades nine through 12. The teen memberships are valid at 25 local YMCAs from June 4 to Aug. 31.
"Last year, we actually had parents and youth lined up outside of our doors at 4:15 in the morning. We were one of the first sites to fill," said Molly Hanson, Elk River YMCA executive director. "It was really exciting."
Many of the teen members are new to Y, said Courtney Harrness, executive director of the Shoreview branch. Last summer, they visited Y branches a combined 30,000 times.