Are you new to the Raleigh/Durham area, or perhaps just new to year-round schools? Are you feeling a little confused or overwhelmed trying to understand tracks and school calendars that begin in July? Are you looking for affordable after school and break care for your child?
Relax. You've come to the right place. The YMCA of the Triangle has got you covered, and we are here to help.
The YMCA of the Triangle, with branches in Wake, Durham, Johnston and Lee counties offers early arrivals, after school and tracking out programs for most area elementary and middle schools. Programs are held at the school, at the YMCA or at another central location, such as a community center. Parents and children new to the year-round curriculum face new decisions and a whole new vocabulary.
You could say we wrote the book on track-out programs. In 1988, when the first year-round schools were put in place, the YMCA of the Triangle worked with Wake County Public Schools to develop program options for families when children were between sessions, or tracked out. We named this program Tracking Out.
The YMCA of the Triangle has always been the largest provider of track-out programs in Wake County. We are also the largest provider of after school care for both traditional and year-round schools. As year round school programs have grown and developed in Wake, Durham and Lee counties, the YMCA of the Triangle has grown alongside and expanded our existing programs to meet the needs of parents and children on a variety of year round calendars.
We know you have a lot of questions. The YMCA of the Triangle wants to help you find the answers.
What is different about YMCA Tracking Out?
The YMCA of the Triangle provides a summer camp-like experience all year long. Participants in our year-round programs learn new skills, make friends and have fun. Programs are age-appropriate and filled with a variety of activities.
In order to join our YMCA staff, all of our youth counselors must have a passion for working with kids, infectious enthusiasm and the ability to be a positive role model. They must complete comprehensive training that emphasizes the importance of safety, fun, child's self-esteem and more. We recognize the value of setting a good example.
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What is a typical day like in YMCA Tracking Out?
We balance indoor activities with outdoor activities, active games with arts and crafts. Swimming, field trips, playground time and a sand castle contest are all possible in one day of a YMCA Tracking Out! Here's a look at a typical day.
Sample Daily Schedule
7:00-9:00 am Rides In
9:00-10:00 Choices*
10:00-10:20 Assembly
10:20-10:40 Snack
10:45-11:30 Field trip, swim or activity
11:30-12:15 Activity
12:15-1:00 Lunch and Devotion
1:00-1:40 Activity
1:40-2:00 Assembly
2:00-2:50 Activity
2:50-3:10 Snack
3:10-4:00 Activity
4:00-6:00 Rides Out/Choices*
*Choices are times when children choose their activities. Examples of activities include board games, field games, gym, game room or playground.
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What should my child bring to Tracking Out?
Children attending a full day of Tracking Out should bring the following:
- Lunch including drinks (daily)
- Two healthy snacks including drinks (daily)
- Swimsuit and towel (as needed)
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I'd like to sign up for programs one week (session) at a time. Do I have to sign up for multiple sessions?
Not at all. The YMCA of the Triangle has three types of participants in Tracking Out programs.
- 4 Break: allows your child to have care for all four track-out breaks during the school year.
- 3 Break: allows your child to have care at the YMCA for all track-out breaks except the summer break.
- Sessions: allows your child to attend single weeks during any of the year-round breaks.
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I don't want to register for YMCA programs until I know which track my child will be assigned, but I am worried that your programs will fill. What are my options?
We recommend that you reserve your space by paying the $25 deposit for 4 break or 3 break care. You can always notify us of your track later. Please notify us at least two days in advance of a session to make sure space is available and that we have your records.
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How do I register my child for Tracking Out? Registration is in progress for all 2007-2008 YMCA year round (and traditional calendar) school programs including Tracking Out, Early Arrivals, Teacher Workdays and After School Programs. Please visit a branch near you to register your child.
Registration dates for 2008-2009 youth programs are available here.
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Is there a limit to the number of kids you can serve at each After School or Tracking Out site?
Yes, our programs do fill sometimes. However, we don't see the school population outpacing our capacity for traditional or year-round school programs.
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How do you group the children?
The YMCA of the Triangle places children in grade appropriate groups or huddles. Every group/huddle is given a name; this ensures that each child feels like an integral part of the program. We strive to have huddles of 24 children with two staff members. Huddles are grouped according to grades. Sometimes, two grades will be combined to make a huddle. With younger campers, huddles are typically only one grade.
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What is the staff to child ratio for Tracking Out?
The YMCA of the Triangle currently has a 1:12 staff to child ratio. Well-trained youth counselors lead our programs under the supervision of a professional YMCA director.
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Do you have any YMCA Tracking Out overnight camps? Yes! Our camps near the coast, Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer, offer one-week and two-week sessions in the spring and fall.
For an adventure closer to home, Camp Kanata offers one-week sessions throughout the summer as well as spring and fall mini-camps. YMCA of the Triangle resident camps are a fantastic opportunity for kids to experience independence in a well-supervised, fun setting!
Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer
www.seagull-seafarer.org
Camp Kanata
www.campkanata.org
For more information, please check our camp websites or give us a call.
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