YouthYouth Development
Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility
Youth

Camden County

The YMCA of Burlington County’s mission, vision and values call us to serve more people. We seek to be the premier community-based, charitable organization that supports the well-being of all people with a focus on youth, teens and families and a commitment to reach underserved populations in both Burlington and Camden Counties.
We are fully committed to expanding YMCA programs and services to align our strengths toward meeting the most pressing Camden County needs.  We will follow Y-USA best practices related to expansion and the establishment of YMCA program and service delivery to Camden County as a new service area.  We will also ensure that our endeavors in Camden County are aligned with and support the goals of our Strategic Plan.

In the last year the YMCA has made continued to expand YMCA services in Camden county including:

  • Establishment of an 8 week Summer Day Camp Program (Camp Discovery) in Berlin Borough  serving 30 families
  • Assumed operations of Angels Alley Childcare Center in Camden City serving over 30 families
  • Will begin operating 2 before/afterschool programs in Lindenwold, NJ serving 50 families
  • Continued our commitment to Activate America and combating childhood obesity in Camden City with Co-Directorship of the Partnership for Healthy Kids on collaboration with Campbells Soup and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
  • Formed a partnership with Haddontowne Swim Club to offer YMCA progressive lessons in Cherry     Hill
  • Established partnerships with 5 afterschool providers in Camden City to expand Healthy U program to non-YMCA afterschool sites
  • Secured a $15,000 grant from TD bank to provide Homework assistance to children in YMCA     afterschool programs

Next Steps to Expanding YMCA Program and Service Delivery
The following are ‘best practices’ suggested by the YMCA of the USA in pursuing an expansion of YMCA program and service delivery to a new service area.

  • Recruit an Advisory Board of 8 to 12 community leaders from Camden County to provide guidance
  • Conduct a community need and market feasibility study, including a collection and analysis of pertinent demographic data, focus groups, surveys, interviews, future forecasts, etc.
  • Identify and secure potential program and funding partners
  • Conduct a Founders Campaign to support staff efforts and program start-up costs during the first 2-3 years
  • Select a YMCA Director to dedicate substantial time and energy toward the development of programs
  • Work to grow and expand from a base of programs with significant social impact

To capitalize on our strengths and channel our most valuable resources toward meeting community needs, YMCA programs in Camden County will focus on the following areas:

  • Child care, with a focus on before and after school programs
  • Summer day camp
  • Wellness programs for underserved children, teens and seniors
  • Civic engagement programs for teens
  • Aquatic programs

Your neighbors can tell you about the great opportunities the Y offers. Currently, our members live in the following communities: Berlin, Camden City, Haddon Heights, Haddonfield, Lindenwold, Pennsauken and Voorhees.  We are happy to have you visit us at our Y branches and program sites – or talk to us about starting a Y program in your neighborhood!