The YMCA of Greater Boston will offer free summer memberships to teens between 13 years old and 17 years old at all of its 13 branches, including the Waltham branch, according to YMCA representatives.
Teens can visit any YMCA of Greater Boston branch starting June 23 to enroll with a valid state or student ID, or with a parent present.
The memberships will be unrestricted from June 23 through September 8, allowing teens total member privileges including use of gyms, pools, group exercise classes, teen center activities and special teen programs per the schedule of their local YMCA.
Teens must fill out a Get Summer membership application to receive the special summer membership card, and also must have the permission of a guardian to enroll.
The free summer memberships for teens are a part of the Y’s Get Summer program. The program seeks to provide a safe, fun environment for teens to become well-rounded individuals, engaging them through sports, arts, leadership programs, community service projects, job skills training, college admission tutoring, technology, literacy, nutrition classes, dances, field trips, and more.
Keeping teens safe and engaged throughout the summer months is one of the Y’s most important initiatives, said YMCA of Greater Boston CEO Kevin Washington.
“It’s vital in helping to decrease summer violence and shape our communities,” Washington said in a prepared statement. “For many single parent households, the Y becomes a second home for the teens and a place to find positive role models. We are proud to provide support for more than 7,500 young adults each year through our Get Summer program.”
In addition, the Y of Greater Boston will employ more than 500 teens this summer, participating in the City of Boston’s Youth Fund and supporting the Boston Private Industry Council’s Summer Jobs Program.
The young employees will receive job readiness training and also participate in the Y’s Safe Dating Program, a Y signature program designed to teach teens the warning signs of dating abuse and provide strategies on prevention and intervention.
The YMCA of Greater Boston has branches in the following areas:
- Boston – Huntington Avenue
- Boston – Oak Street West
- Brighton – Oak Square
- Charlestown
- Dorchester
- East Boston
- Hyde Park
- Needham
- Reading
- Roxbury
- Waltham
- West Roxbury
- Woburn
To learn more about the free summer membership program for teens, visit ymcaboston.org/teens or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ymcabostonteens.
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Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jaclyn.reiss@globe.com
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