At the YMCA, we believe in people. We see their potential. We find strength in telling stories of our differences and find inspiration in sharing our diversity – all with the purpose of bringing us closer together.
Meet Natasha, a current member of the Calgary Flames Grade 6 YMCA program. This program, in partnership with the Calgary Flames Foundation, provides all grade 6 students in Calgary with a free 13-month Y membership!
With the Y, Natasha has grown independently and made several new friends.
“I’ve noticed that Natasha is more comfortable going to the Y on her own. Her confidence has gone way up,” her mother shared. “The Grade 6 program’s itinerary is well put together, the kids are having fun and staying active.”
Every week, the Calgary Flames Grade 6 Program puts on events at each location, with special city-wide events every month ranging from dodgeball tournaments to a day at Camp Chief Hector.
Natasha was able to explore all the Y locations across the city while participating in the fun activities. Her family even entered into a raffle for Calgary Flames tickets, and won!
“I've made a lot more new friends from it… I got to see all the behind the scenes things too and I got to do things that usually, sometimes people like I wouldn’t be able to do like the climbing wall.”
There is also an Alumni program with special events plus volunteer and leadership opportunities, which Natasha is excited to join.
The sixth grade was strategically selected for this program as research indicated that it is around grade six when youth participation in recreation tends to decline. By providing grade six students with free memberships, our goal is to keep youth engaged with recreation and community centers like the Y.
Your YMCA fitness journey may start with a splash, a bounce, or a crunch under your boots; and if we do our part, it will lead to a healthier, more vibrant community. Our Grade 6 program is the first step our youth can take independently in their fitness journey, and have fun doing it.
If you have a Y Story, reach out to us at communications@calgary.ymca.ca.
For more information about our Calgary Flames Grade 6 Program, visit ymcacalgary.org/grade6