YMCA offers free membership to students in grade six

Are you a student entering Grade 6 this year and are searching for ways to enjoy your time? If so, you are eligible for a free membership at the YMCA!

Starting Sept 1, Grade 6 students in Calgary can receive a free YMCA membership thanks to a new partnership between The Flames Foundation for Life and YMCA Calgary. For all you Grade 6 students out there, this is your opportunity to get active and have a great time with your friends while you are entering Junior High!

The Calgary Flames YMCA Grade 6 Memberships allow youth access to all YMCA Calgary locations and to special Calgary Flames sponsored activities to inspire them to live healthier, more active lives. The YMCA provides a place to hang out with friends on Teen Night and Flames Friday, and the opportunity to try new things, like quidditch games, theatre and vlogging, indoor rock climbing, parkour, arts and crafts, lego building and swimming.

Grade 6 is a time where you’re excited about growing up and having new experiences. You’re also at the age where we all usually face the choices of either living a healthy or an unhealthy life style. YMCA believes, “Youth need a place to belong, to feel safe, and to explore and grow during the important developmental stage of their Grade 6 year. We want to support our youth in this critical time as they: age out of traditional care models, develop new interests, and prepare for junior high.”

Well, now you may be wondering why the FLAMES Foundation is partnering with YMCA. This is all a part of their initiative to make Calgary the healthiest city in Canada. They too are well wishers for the sixth graders in Calgary: “We hope that this age group is exposed to elements of a healthy lifestyle and will have the education required to motivate healthy choices moving forward in their physical and mental development.” 

What are some benefits that come with the membership?

• Free membership for Grade 6 school year
• Access to all five city-wide YMCA Calgary locations
• Access to no-cost programs such as Adventurers (leadership training including character development, communication, volunteerism, and fundraising) and Active Y Kids (physical activity, nutrition, and goal setting) and Flames Friday & Teen Night activities
• Advanced registration and discounted fees for programs

So why wait? I say take your parents to your nearest YMCA with a proof of your grade and sign yourself up for your membership! The memberships are valid for the student’s Grade 6 year – from September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015. So go now, and enjoy living an active and healthy life, no time to waste! For more information you can go to: http://www.ymcacalgary.org