YMCA Fun Company
Where Imagination Comes to Play

YMCA Fun Company’s before- and after-school program is a safe place where children:

• Discover the joy of learning
• Pursue their creative passions
• Develop the strong character values, life skills and decision-making abilities needed to achieve their fullest God-given potential in spirit, mind and body

Imagination, incorporated
Each YMCA Fun Company school site is designed to provide a welcoming atmosphere where learning feels like play and each child’s creativity and imagination is set free. It accomplishes this through:

• Choice-based program: A minimum of three activity choices are offered to children during all program hours to let children discover their own interests and abilities.
• Creative outlets: Fun Company’s Creative Learning Centers allow children to pursue their passions in subjects including Creative Art, Blocks and Building, Hands-on Science, Reading and Listening and Dramatic Play. Students supply the imagination — Fun Company provides the tools to put it to work.
• Help with school: Fun Company’s theme-based curriculum projects complement and reinforce the academic lessons children learn in the classroom. In addition, the program provides students with tutoring, homework help and other vital academic assistance.
• Quiet time: Fun Company schedules the quiet time and space needed for children to develop the all-important love of reading. Out-loud reading time is scheduled into every Fun Company day.
• Encouraging play: Children are provided with regular time outside to be physically active, spend free time with friends and enjoy staff-led games and activities including sports, songs, skits, singing and dancing.

We Build Strong Characters
YMCA Fun Company is also about helping children develop critical life and leadership skills based on the YMCA’s core character values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.

• Leadership development opportunities for students include monthly rap sessions and the chance to take on roles as group leaders, club leaders and buddies.
• Service learning projects teach children the importance of being good citizens.
• Clubs and other small group environments allow children to pursue their interests while learning the importance of cooperation, sharing and having respect for one another.

YMCA Fun Company Core Objectives

• Provide a safe and stimulating learning environment for students outside of regular school hours
• Encourage and support regular school attendance
• Increase and encourage parents’ participation in their child’s education
• Support and enhance students’ academic achievement
• Encourage students to live a healthy lifestyle and improve their life skills and decision-making abilities.

Introducing artEMBRACE
ArtEMBRACE is a new program being introduced at several YMCA Fun Company sites to further unleash students’ creativity through activities including African dance, painting, photography, pottery, music, drama and so much more! Call Fun Company at 615-259-3418 to see if your school site is offering this exciting new free service to Fun Company participants.

2008 Summer Odyssey Program
Take a holiday from summer boredom and book your trip to Y-Town, YMCA Fun Company’s 2008 Summer Odyssey program.

Each day, Y-Town welcomes school-age children to an exciting "city" where they can explore fun activities, learn new things and discover their own unique talents. For the best in urban living, learning and laughter, make your way to Y-Town!