Back in full force since pandemic, YMCA offering free membership all summer for high schoolers

EAGAN, Minn. – A beloved program is back for the first time in three summers since the pandemic first began.

The "Get Summer" program will run from June 5 to Aug. 31, giving teens in high school free memberships to 19 YMCA locations throughout the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin.

The YMCA expects anywhere from 4,000-5,000 teens to take advantage of this program, which is fully funded thanks to the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation.

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As parents are starting to work more from the office again and less from home, a program like this is giving them peace of mind.

"As a parent, it's very comforting to know that he's here. He's in a place where there's a lot of people to help if he's got questions," said Ernest Kaehler, who has a 14-year-old son entering his freshman year at Farmington High School next year.

One of the perks is free training on how to use all the equipment in the gym.

It's something Kaehler knows his son will be taking advantage of as he prepares for high school sports this fall.

"He's certainly looking to get stronger, gain some size, based on some of his friends and teammates," said Kaehler.

YMCA Executive Director Katie Lowe says something unique they're doing is listening to the teens and taking suggestions from them on how they want to spend their time at the Y.

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"In one of our communities, they had a weightlifting tournament," said Lowe.

She says they're eliminating this cost boundary for teens because they want to keep them engaged.

"Not only for their physical health, but for their mental health, their social health, they come with their friends," said Lowe.

The easiest way to get a free membership is to register online. Once you're registered, teenagers have access to all 19 locations in the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin.

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