Schuylkill Valley board approves YMCA 10-week summer camp pilot with meal plan, 3% revenue share

The Schuylkill Valley School Board unanimously approved a YMCA summer camp agreement that will pilot a licensed, full-day 10-week program at the elementary school and explore summer meal service and a district compensation arrangement.

Ken Borkey of the YMCA told the board the program will run five days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with optional before- and after-care, and that the Y already operates a school-age program at the elementary school. Enrollment history presented by Borkey showed growth from 15 students in the program’s first partial year (Nov 2023) to 41 this past school year; the YMCA proposed a 24-slot pilot for the first summer and plans targeted communications to currently enrolled families.

Financial and service details included a proposed 3% payment to the district on gross revenue (excluding refunds, scholarships, state subsidy payments and donations) and a pilot summer-meal effort in cooperation with food services. The YMCA said it will license the program, will coordinate with elementary administrators on space (shifting to the gym or cafeteria as needed), and will start the pilot the week after school ends (June 8) through Aug. 14.

The board moved to approve the YMCA summer program agreement and appendix and opened the floor to public comment specifically on the item; no audience speakers addressed the YMCA item. The motion carried 9-0.

What it means: The pilot is intended to extend the district’s current 4-week elementary program into a full summer offering and to provide families a wrap-around option for days when the district’s program ends; the district will review usage and financial results to determine future scaling.

Provenance: Presentation and agreement motion and vote during the Schuylkill Valley School Board meeting (SEG 303–549).