WAILUKU – The County of Maui’s summer youth program partnership with Maui Family YMCA still has many openings available for the program that starts July 6.

Families will pay no more than $40 total for their children to participate in the county subsidized program open to children ages 4-12 years old.

Families can also pay $10 per week and do not need a YMCA membership to sign up.

“Our goal was to launch a program that could be financially accessible to all of our working families,” Mayor Michael Victorino said.

Parents can register their children for the summer youth program at www.mauiymca.org/day-camps/.

Sites families can register for the program include War Memorial Gym, Eddie Tam Gym and South Maui Community Park Gym.

Additional sites that may open based on increased demand include Wailuku Gym, Lahaina Civic Center Gym and Amphitheater, Kaunakakai Gym (Molokai) and Mitchell Pauole Center Main Hall (Molokai).

The YMCA is recruiting employees for the program; anyone interested should e-mail Brian Kawamoto at Brian@mauiymca.org or visit www.mauiymca.org/wp-content/uploads/Employment-Application.pdf.

The YMCA can also be reached at 242-9007.

The summer youth program is funded by CARES Act funding through a public-private partnership.

YMCA is a national organization with experience in childcare as well as specialized training in COVID-19 health and safety precautions.

YMCA will be following sanitation guidelines, conducting temperature checks, maintaining physical distancing and other requirements provided by the DOH and CDC.

The county’s Early Childhood Resource Center has also been coordinating childcare service for essential workers and those returning to the workforce through PATCH (People Attentive to Children) Maui.

Those in need of childcare for children under the age of six may contact PATCH Maui at 242-9232 or e-mail mfelicilda@patch-hawaii.org. Workers may also contact the county at 242-1608 or e-mail mauiecrc@gmail.com.

In related news, in recognition of National Parks & Recreation Month in July, the County of Maui’s Department of Parks & Recreation is conducting a Facility Photo & Haiku Poem Contest. The contest theme is: “Why do I Love Maui County Parks & Recreation Facilities?”

Contest participants are asked to submit their favorite photo of a Maui County Parks & Recreation facility, along with a summary of why they love that picture.

Contestants may also submit a poem written in the traditional haiku style about a parks and recreation facility. (A haiku poem has three short lines. The first and last lines have five syllables, and the middle line has seven syllables.)

There will be three contest categories broken down into six age divisions. Goody bag prizes will be awarded to the winners.

The Parks Department understands the role it plays in providing visitors and residents safe, quality facilities to enjoy. As Maui County’s community starts to reopen, the department wants to be a part of the experiences residents are sharing with their family and friends.

For more information, visit www.mauicounty.gov/412 for contest rules, the acknowledgment form and flyer.