Youth Education & Leadership

Summer day camp and summer resident camp environments provide a unique opportunity for youth to build leadership skills, particularly in assisting counselors with younger campers. The goals of CIT and LIT programs are to teach the general skills of leadership that can be used at school, home and community (not just at summer camp.) For younger camp leaders (ages 13-15), the curriculum includes working with younger kids at camp, but can include community components like volunteering at senior centers or YMCAs.

Counselors-in-Training or "CITs" are the oldest campers who typically want to apply for a job at camp the next summer, maybe as a Jr. Counselor or some other supporting role. They need to learn more specific skills for working with kids and co-workers, and more experience planning and leading activities. Both programs give kids age-appropriate challenges that build their skills, confidence and capacity for working with people of all ages.

Want to know more? Inquire at the front desk of your local Y or at our resident camp, YMCA Camp Potawotami to learn more about these youth programs. You may also register on our Summer Day Camp page. 

We offer a free seventh-grade membership to all youth in Allen, Wells, and Whitley counties. Our commitment is to nurture and impact the lives of our youth through what can often be a difficult and challenging time; the stage where they are no longer children but aren’t quite an adult either. They make choices about sports they want to play, people they want to spend their time with, activities they want to participate in, and how they spend their spare time. 

To learn more about free seventh-grade memberships, click here. 

Integrative Arts enhance YMCA pre-K, After school and select summer day camp programs by offering children opportunities for creative expression. By collaborating with local artists and arts groups, these traditional programs are infused with music, dance, drumming, photography and creative writing which enrich the overall experience of each child.

The YMCA Leaders Club, for youth in grades 6-12, teaches teens leadership training and emphasizes the importance of social responsibility and service to others. With adult advisors, teens have role models and mentors who positively impact their lives as they grow in their desire and ability to be a positive force in the community. For more information or to register, contact your local branch.

Indiana Youth & Government is an exciting opportunity for youth to step into the shoes of the individuals who run our State Government. This program provides high school youth the opportunity to study and debate public issues, experience the judicial branch of our state government, write legislation and participate in a youth legislature. For more information or to register contact your local branch.

What is Youth & Government? 

• Develop an understanding of local, state, and national concerns
• Research, study, and debate public issues
• Interact with adult mentors and leaders
• Learn to appreciate other view points

Learn More

S.O.S. Achievers is a college prep program through the Renaissance Pointe Family YMCA. We aim to encourage students to act on their beliefs through the foundation of a college education. Our program provides student and parent workshops, college visits, volunteer and internship opportunities as well as job shadowing opportunities.

Though we do not directly fund college expenses, we teach students about the necessary resources to cover college costs. We do not compete with other college preparatory programs; instead, we support and work closely with them.

To find out how to be a part of this program, please call Renaissance Pointe YMCA at 260.447.4567.