BOY (Brave, Optimistic, Youthful) is a brand-NEW 14-week pre-teen program geared for boys in 5th-8th grade! This program offers middle school aged boys the opportunity to build life skills and discuss topics that are not typically taught in school. Participants will have a space to learn healthy life skills, build self-esteem, create lasting friendships, and feel better prepared to tackle life challenges!

Each program session is led by a passionate male facilitator. On occasion, community speakers related to the weekly topic will come in to educate the boys!

Bi-weekly Topics Include:

• Welcome Night & Getting to Know You
• Boy’s in the Woods
• Healthy Eating & Nutrition
• Internet Education & Safety
• Volunteer / Giving Back
• Money Management
• Stress Management & Resilience
• Leadership & Team Building
• Substance Abuse Prevention
• Healthy Friendships & Conflict Resolution
• Healthy Living Skills
• Time Management
• Introduction to Trades!

Each program site will meet every 2-3 weeks from 5:30-7:30 PM from October-April, for a total of 14 sessions. Program sites include:

Washington County

• Kettle Moraine YMCA – West Bend

Ozaukee County

• Feith Family YMCA – Port Washington

*Exact schedules to be emailed with registration

This program is cost-free for participants and open to both members and non-members of the Kettle Moraine YMCA!

*You do not have to be a resident of any BOY Program school district in order to join! All programs are open to boys in grades 5th-8^th (10-14 years old) (public, private, or home-schooled). 

The SHE (Strong Healthy Empowered) Pre-Teen Program focuses on improving the mental, social, emotional and physical health of girls in grades 5th-8th through discussion, education and skill-building. The girls are able to build self-esteem and create lasting friendships prior to entering high school.

All programs are led by positive, adult female Y-facilitators, who provide an open and judgement free atmosphere for topic exploration. Additionally, some weeks are led by community professionals who are experts in that week’s topic.

Biweekly Topics May Include:

• Welcome Night,
• Healthy Friendships
• Girls in the Woods
• Self-Defense
• Giving Back & Volunteering
• Yoga & Coping with Stress
• Healthy Eating & Nutrition
• Building Resilience
• Mental Health & Self-Care
• Body Image & Confidence
• Positive Free Time
• Substance Abuse Prevention
• Money and Time Management

Participants will also get a FREE voucher to take a certified Babysitting Course at the YMCA!

Each program site will meet every 2-3 weeks from 5:30-7:30 PM from October-April, for a total of 14 sessions. Program sites and meeting days include:

Washington County 

• Kewaskum (@ Kewaskum Middle School): Mondays
• West Bend A (@ West Washington YMCA): Tuesdays
• West Bend B (@ West Washington YMCA): Thursdays
• Slinger (@ Slinger Middle School): Wednesdays

Ozaukee County 

• Mequon (@ Lumen Christi Parish): Tuesdays
• Grafton (@ John Long Middle School): Wednesdays
• Port Washington (@ Thomas Jefferson Middle School): Thursdays

*Exact schedules to be emailed with registration. 

This program is cost-free for participants and open to both members and non-members of the Kettle Moraine YMCA!

*You do not have to be a resident of any SHE Program school district in order to join! All programs are open to girls in grades 5th-8th (public, private, or home-schooled).