The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) has once again agreed to fund programs that support military youth at Naval Station Everett. These programs include Operation Hero, a nationally recognized ASYMCA tutoring and mentoring program as well as free summer camp scholarships.

Operation Hero

Operation Hero provides academic and social help to military youth experiencing difficulty in school. Kids identified for the program receive twice weekly, two hour tutoring and mentoring sessions. Military children work in small groups with certified teachers in order to get themselves back on track. The program lasts for ten weeks and is free.

Children of active duty military enrolled in the Lakewood School District are eligible for this free program which runs twice weekly in the afternoons, Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. To register, call Jackie Woodwell at the Marysville YMCA at 360-651-1607 or stop by English Crossing Elementary School to pick up an application packet.

Free
summer camp opportunities

As recipients of the Iraq-Afghanistan Impact Fund from the California Community Foundation, the Armed Services YMCA is offering free summer camp opportunities for military children of active duty, reservists and DoD civilians. Children five to eighteen years of age are eligible for one week of free summer camp at residential camp, Camp Orkila, located on Orcas Island or any of the day or residential camps offered at any of the YMCA locations in Snohomish County.

Registration for Camp Orkila has already begun while registration for YMCA camps in Snohomish County won’t begin until March. Spaces are limited and peak season weeks fill quickly. To receive more information or to get your application packet, contact the Youth Programs Office at (425) 304-3694.