NEW YORK, NY. - March 18, 2009 - As New York City parents contemplate whether or not to cut sleepaway camp out of the family budget this year, the YMCA of Greater New York, a non-profit community service organization, announced a new tiered-tuition system designed to make its sleepaway camps more affordable and accessible to New York City families. The new, "honor code" tiered-tuition system provides families, who do not want to apply for the YMCA's needs-based financial aid, with an easier way to afford summer camp this season.

The New York YMCA Camp will offer three tiers of tuition for one- and two-week sessions of sleepaway camp and specialty camps. For example, the three payment options for a two-week session of sleepaway camp are $1378, $1178 and $978. Unlike a need-based scholarship program, families will not have to complete a needs-based financial aid test; they will choose their own tier based on their ability to pay. All children will receive the same camp experience, regardless of their tuition tier. Larger scholarships are also available by applying for needs-based financial assistance. The tiered pricing model has also been applied to shorter and longer stays at New York YMCA Camp.

The middle and upper tiers reflect tuition increases, which the association had to implement to adjust for higher operating costs and the tough economic environment.

The lowest tiers are about the same as what they cost last year. The new tiered tuition system will allow the YMCA of Greater New York to offer at least $400,000 in scholarships, which is $100,000 more than last year.

"The YMCA of Greater New York strongly believes that the economic crisis should not impact our children's summer fun. The new tiered-tuition system, based on the honor code, will make it easier for New York City families to receive subsidized tuition for summer camp this year," said Wheaton Griffin, executive director of New York YMCA Camps. Griffin, who oversees operations of the three camps in Huguenot, New York continues, "We encourage New York City families to pay the tuition amount that fits within their budget so they can continue to give kids the magical experience of a summer away at our world class YMCA camp."

Just 86 miles northwest of New York City in Huguenot, NY, the YMCA's Camp McAlister, Camp Talcott and Camp Greenkill offer great camps for great children to have the experience of a lifetime. Within a nurturing environment with a 3to1 ratio of campers to counselors, children realize their potential, discover who they are and who they would like to become, develop independence and become more confident about all they can do in this world. The counselors serve as models for the organization's core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. With structured camps for children as young as six years of age, the YMCA of Greater New York offers solutions for children who are ready to make their first step toward independence to those who are interested in specialty camps in gymnastics, volleyball and judo. The YMCA's Camps are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).

Parents can learn more about the new tiered pricing structure and YMCA Camps by calling 1-877-30-YCAMP or logging on to www.ymcanyc.org/camps. Full application with complete pricing information available upon request.

The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on youth. The largest private youth-serving organization in New York City, the YMCA of Greater New York encompasses 19 branches and 180 program sites throughout the five boroughs, plus three camps upstate, serving 350,000 New Yorkers of all ages each year, including 175,000 children in a variety of educational, social, health and wellness, as well as recreational and child development programs, each of which reinforce the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Supported in part through contributions to the Strong Kids Campaign, the YMCA provides membership assistance and scholarships, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Visit ymcanyc.org to learn more.

YMCA of Greater New York

YMCA of Greater New York

Our Mission The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on youth. Our Values All YMCA programs teach the core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility and continue our 156-year tradition of emphasis upon youth, health and wellness, adult education, and community collaboration and problem solving. The YMCA has always grown from within its community and is a reflection of the community itself in diversity and values. The YMCA is an open and inclusive organization and welcomes all without discrimination to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship, creed, religion, age, abilities, sexual orientation or income. A Focus on Youth The YMCA of Greater New York gives young people a place to come after school for safe, productive activities that encourage and support academic performance, help to build their self-esteem and develop healthy lifestyles. Among the hundreds of programs offered by the YMCA of Greater New York are a variety of youth programs, including child care, day care and after-school care programs; swimming, sports leagues; instructional classes; evening Teen Centers; counseling and health awareness; life/social skills; mentoring; leadership training and development; service learning; computer training; college/career preparation; day camps and sleep-away camps. Open to All At the YMCA, no one is turned away because of an inability to pay. To offer the broadest possible access to YMCA programs, services, and facilities, and to provide for those individuals and community groups who may not be able to afford the full cost of our programs, services and facilities, the YMCA engages in fundraising through the annual Strong Kids Campaign, special events at the branch and Association levels, grants, bequests, or individual, corporate or foundation support. We conduct extensive outreach to ensure wide participation in all YMCA programs by all segments of the many communities we serve. Each year, we deliver more than $47.3 million in sponsored, free and subsidized programs to more than 350,000 members and program participants, assuring all of an equal opportunity to benefit from the YMCA’s programs and services.

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