Critters and Crime-Solving Camp at the YMCA
Question: What do you get when you combine the worlds of animals and forensic science? Answer: A week of “Animal CSI Critter Camp” at the Palm Springs YMCA! A few spaces are still available for kids ages 5 – 11 years old to sign up for this special camp which will run June 23rd through 27th (Monday through Friday) from 8:30am – 12:30pm each day.
Held in partnership with Animal Samaritans and taught by SPCA’s humane educators, camp will give kids the chance to be veterinary crime scene investigators. Activities will include:
- Gathering evidence and using forensic science to solve animal related crimes
- Dusting for fingerprints, searching for clues, and utilizing other mystery-solving techniques to figure out a “who-dunnit” (or a “what-dunnit!) mystery
- Meeting animal control representatives and local police officers
- Visiting the Riverside County animal shelter
- Learning dog first aid and CPR
- Playing computer games related to veterinary and animal care
- Meeting and learning about all types of animals
Fees for the week are $80 for facility members, $85 for program members, and $95 for non-members. Kids are able to join regular YMCA summer day camp (7:30am – 6:00pm) during the mornings and afternoons for an add-on fee of $30 for the week.
Sign ups are being taken at the Palm Springs YMCA located at 3601 E. Mesquite Avenue in Palm Springs, next to Demuth Park. Spaces may also be reserved by calling the Palm Springs YMCA at 320-6430.
About Family YMCA of the Desert:
During 2007, supporters celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Family YMCA of the Desert,
which was established in the Coachella Valley in 1982. The Family YMCA is the largest provider of
licensed childcare in the valley, with facilities from Palm Springs to Thermal. Nearly 1700 kids
and families each day are served at twenty-nine sites, with many opportunities in youth and family
programming. The primary focus of the Family YMCA is to reinforce caring, honesty, respect, and
responsibility while allowing kids to develop social skills, confidence, leadership, and fitness.
The Family YMCA is excited to be part of the national YMCA’s “Activate America” initiative which
strives to collaborate with community organizations to help families live healthier lifestyles and
focus on health and wellness.
During the past year and a half, special partnerships between the Family YMCA and various local elementary and middle schools within Palm Springs Unified and Desert Sands Unified School Districts were launched to provide free, on-site after school care as part of the state of California’s Proposition 49 / After School Education and Safety (ASES) Act.
Programming at both the Palm Desert and the Palm Springs YMCA locations includes day and resident camps, after-school care, fitness center, dance and performing arts, walking and running clubs, graphic arts and computers, basketball and flag football, sports, and fitness, youth and government, karate, gymnastics, senior activities, swimming, and Y Rookies Sports Leagues. The Palm Springs YMCA opened in January, 2004, after transitioning from the Palm Springs Youth Center, and now offers a full variety of programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors.
The Family YMCA of the Desert conducts an annual fund-raising campaign to support its financial assistance programs, making YMCA activities accessible to everyone. In 2007, funds raised reached over $500,000 through overwhelming community support. Major YMCA events throughout the year to support programs, childcare, and financial assistance include: the Desert Bicycle Giveaway, an annual YMCA Golf Tournament, Healthy Kids’ Day, and the Hoedown at Sundown Gala which directly supports valuable childcare programs.
More than one third of the children participating in the YMCA of the Desert programs receive financial assistance, making community support a vital element in the ability to offer help to kids and their families. No child or family will be denied services because of an inability to pay.
Van Tanner (President, Desert Empire Insurance Services, Inc.) serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Family YMCA of the Desert, and Rob Ballew is the YMCA’s valley-wide Executive Director and C.E.O.
Congresswoman Mary Bono-Mack (45th district, California) serves as the Honorary Chair. The Board’s current emphasis is on continuing and growing childcare, before and after school programs, and development of a programming at the Palm Desert and Palm Springs YMCAs.
The Family YMCA of the Desert is one of 2500 YMCA’S nationwide, all of whom work towards building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. For more information please visit: http://www.desertymca.org.
| The Family YMCA of the Desert has two primary locations: | |
| Palm Desert / Administrative Offices: | Palm Springs: |
| 43-930 San Pablo Av. | 3601 E. Mesquite Av. |
| Palm Desert, CA. 92260 | Palm Springs, CA. 92264 |
| 760-341-9622-phone | 760-320-6430-phone |
For more information regarding YMCA events, activity programs, fundraising, or volunteer opportunities please contact Alison Elsner at 320-6430-work, 413-5053-cell, or aelsner@desertymca.org.