Junior Jack Yang experienced a common feeling in early July. With no school, no homework and no perpetual struggle to study for tests and stress over presentations, he found the middle of summer break left him feeling a sense of emptiness and monotony.
For many students like Yang, the Southwest YMCA offers a way out of that cycle, as an accessible and free place to visit with friends.
“There were times I was bored during the summer, and the days were getting repetitive,” Yang said. “But at the YMCA, having a basketball court and ping pong tables meant we could always look forward to something fun after a workout in the gym.”
Perhaps the most enticing factor of the YMCA is its “Get Summer” teen initiative. Free memberships are offered every summer from June 1- July 31 to high school students and recent graduates.
With the elimination of cost, on top of having a local and accessible location — just a 7-minute drive from the school — the YMCA is an excellent place to end the summer slump and start moving.
According to Jim Hori, the president and CEO of YMCA Silicon Valley — which has nine branches including Southwest YMCA — the main reason for the free program is to provide teens with a place to go, a place to gather and a place to belong. In 2024, nearly 3,000 teens signed up within the first month of the initiative, according to Fox News.
The YMCA offers plenty of activities to enliven the summertime. For one, its gym — though smaller in size and lacking the machines typically found in other gyms — provides a facility where students can workout. Whether you are an athlete looking to condition or train before school sports seasons, or just trying to work out for the first time, the YMCA’s gym is enough to get started.
Courtesy of Southwest YMCA
The YMCA gym contains all the essential equipment and machinery.
The air conditioning inside the gym as well as cool water from the water fountains provides a comfortable environment to work out in. A cardio room sits directly across from the weights, allowing athletes to choose from a variety of exercises to train.
Adjacent to the gym, an indoor basketball court is often available, where people can borrow a basketball from the staff and play with friends. The YMCA has other offerings such as pickleball and table tennis.
Courtesy of Southwest YMCA
The basketball court is at the center of the YMCA
Additionally, fitness classes and pool access are included in the membership. The YMCA’s endless opportunities provide a fun way to exercise — a consistently proven method of promoting better moods and sleep while reducing stress and anxiety.
Junior Kyle Liu, who also used the Get Summer program, frequented the basketball court and the gym with his friends.
“I enjoyed the nice family and community-oriented vibe in the YMCA, as well as the relaxing and welcoming atmosphere there,” Liu said. “Going to the YMCA was an accessible way for me to keep in shape, while also having fun with friends before heading into the school year.”
