Through a number of countywide partnerships, leaders at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA have been able to offer the free Summer My Way program for the past four years.

The six-week program for kindergarten through fifth-graders lasts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting July 10 at Northside Childhood Development Center.

This year, the summer camp will serve 250 students who enrolled in May. The spots fill up within hours, according to Nicole Weber, the out of school director and Summer My Way Camp director.

“I think it is a testament to the quality [of the camp] and also the need,” Weber said. “It has filled up very fast every year.”

Summer school students are automatically enrolled in the program. This year, about 90 of the 250 students are summer school children.

Those who enroll participate in two-week sessions, with three activity tracks: “Mad Scientist,” “Moving and Feeling,” and “Around the World.”

Children also get to choose two specials per two-week session to participate in.

Weber commended the community’s support in the camp, which has allowed them to offer a variety of activities that engage the children involved.

While partners have helped the camp through sponsorships, others offer their expertise. Lakeland Health, for example provides representatives to teach children during the “Moving and Feeling” track.

Each activity is developed around a curriculum, with the aim to teach students a different lesson each day.

“It is learning described as fun,” Weber said.

Youth mentorship is also an important aspect of the camp.

Last year, Niles High School sports coach Joe Sassano contacted the YMCA and expressed interest in getting high schoolers involved.

This year, students from the high school will return to help facilitate sessions of flag football, which has become a popular activity for camp attendees.

“They [the high schoolers] are super stars to these little kids,” Weber said. “It is awesome.”

Those in the sixth-grade and above also get a chance at mentorship and help with various activities throughout the camp.

The city of Niles also supported the program by contributing a $10,000 Community Block Development Grant Annual Action Plan. The funds were approved by members of the Niles City Council in April.

Next year, Weber said she hopes to be able to expand enrollment to 300. Due to construction on the schools, location options were limited, so they had to cap attendance this year at 250 people.

“This is such a unique program and there is such potential for the impact we can have on the community,” Weber said. “It is something that a lot of our kids need.”