YMCA and YWCA Power Up Summer for Belize City Kids

Summer’s in full swing, and while some kids are soaking up the sun, others are diving into something even more exciting, learning new skills and building lifelong friendships. Two of Belize City’s most trusted community organizations, the YMCA and YWCA, are making sure this summer is one to remember. From coding and cooking to swimming and sewing, their camps are giving dozens of children a chance to grow, explore, and shine. Rooted in different neighborhoods but united by a shared mission, both groups are opening doors and shaping futures. News Five’s Tanya Arceo visited the camps to see how these programs are inspiring Belize’s next generation of leaders.

 

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

At the YMCA Belize, summer is in full swing and it’s buzzing with energy, laughter, and learning. Executive Director Clara Cuellar shared the excitement behind this year’s expanded summer program. Thanks to support from government ministries and private sponsors, the YMCA has packed a whole lot of fun and learning into one location, from basketball and volleyball to coding and more. Kids between the ages of seven and twelve are rotating through each activity, picking up new skills and making new friends along the way. But as Cuellar puts it, this camp is about nurturing the mind, body, and spirit.

 

Clara Cuellar, Executive Director, YMCA Belize

“This year YMCA is having a wonderful celebration and rejoicing because for many years we had to do programs all over the city we’ve done it at different high schools in the north side different swimming pools and with the help of government we were able to fill all our property that’s here so we are extremely grateful and we can bring the program all to one place.”

Sixteen-year-old Kasey Salam is already giving back, teaching kids how to code using Scratch, a fun, beginner-friendly platform. With colorful blocks and animated characters, these young learners are building games and stories while picking up real programming skills. It’s all about empowering the next generation, one drag-and-drop at a time.

 

Micha Williams, Student

“ I am making a game that’s fun and entertaining for both older and younger people and it helps you in a little way and it helps you a little with anxiety.”

 

Alvaro Mai, Student

“I was working on a story but now I am trying to load up this game for you guys.”

Just a few blocks away, the YWCA is buzzing with hands-on action, sewing machines, crochet hooks, and the smell of home-cooked meals. Their summer camp is all about teaching kids practical life skills. Program Coordinator Lisa Griffith, who usually trains adults, says this summer is about giving kids a space to learn, create, and grow.

 

Lisa Griffith, Program Coordinator at YWCA

“They have been learning to cook they know all the ingredients that goes in they might not be able to actually get to the stove and do it but they know the ingredients they know the preparation.”

 

Jenine Henry, Culinary Arts Instructor

“They are here, they are learning and whatever they make in class they take it home it’s an experience for them because they have been doing this for we are in the third week now some of them come with their experiences in the sense that they go home they practice with their parents.”

Whether it’s shooting hoops and coding at the YMCA or learning to cook, swim, and sew at the YWCA, one thing is certain, this summer, kids across Belize City are being given the chance to grow, create, and connect. Tanya Arceo for News Five.