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State Subsidies Restored for YWCA Summer Camp

TheMcLean County YWCA Young Wonders Summer Camp begins May 31.
YWCA of McLean County

The  YWCA of McLean County says funds are available to help low income families enroll their children at a discounted rate in the Y's annual Young Wonders Summer Camp.

Liz German, the YWCA's vice president for operations, said the state had eliminated that subsidy last summer, but restored it this year after a public outcry.

    "People with children unfortunately had to stay home with their children. If you're talking about one income families and that person can't go to work, then they are staying home and needing other kinds of public assistance," German said.

 German says enrollment at the camps has been slow this year because many parents are unaware the subsidy is available. She said families seeking the discounted rate can apply for it at the Child Care Resources and Referral Network in downtown Bloomington.

The YWCA is also seeking volunteers to talk about their working lives with children at the camp. The theme of this year's camp is "Community Heroes."

"If you're someone in the community who does a unique job, you work with people or children or animals, we're looking to bring some of those people in  and build awareness with our kids as to how active our community is and highlight all the good things going on," German said.

The youth camp begins on May 31 and runs until the new school year begins.