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Gills YMCA Offering Child Care

By Carl Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: July 30, 2008

TRINITY - TRINITY -- Schools start the fall semester in a little more than two weeks, but a YMCA Before/After School Care program will make sure the fun doesn't stop for students.

Youths from nine area elementary schools and Seven Springs Middle School are transported by bus to the Youth Activity Center at the James P. Gills Family Branch YMCA.

"The kids love it," Program Director Kristen Stieber-Downs commented.

The students have plenty of options to choose. Every one of the YMCA unit's clubs and activities - ropes course, swimming, arts and crafts, dance classes, karate - "all that's included," Stieber-Downs said.

A homework club is available as well. In addition, this year, snacks and juice will be provided after school.

The program has grown every year since it started 5 years ago, Stieber-Downs recalled.

Some 120 youths signed up last year, and Stieber-Downs wouldn't be surprised to see more faces this year. Working parents still need a place for their children before and after school.

The YMCA program offers programs on days when school is out, during all holiday breaks and even summer camps.

Fees are kept low, Stieber-Downs said. YMCA has an open-door policy, so nobody is turned away because of an inability to pay.

The program at Gills YMCA serves nine elementary schools - Anclote, Longleaf, Deer Park, Mittye P. Locke, Trinity, Trinity Oaks, Seven Springs, Sunray, and Cotee River - and Seven Springs Middle School.

Registration continues until school starts, Stieber-Downs noted.

The Gills YMCA phone number is 727-375-9622. Its Web site address is www.suncoastymca.org>.