The YMCA of Southwest Florida is committed to strengthening the DeSoto County community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Over the past several years, the YMCA has significantly expanded its impact in Arcadia and throughout DeSoto County by investing in education, food security, youth leadership, workforce development, and family support.
Today, the YMCA serves thousands of children and families through year-round programming in partnership with the School District of DeSoto County, local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders.
Branch Leadership
Before & After School Enrichment (BASE)
School Sites
- West Elementary - Registration https://shorturl.at/dAWI9
- Nocatee Elementary - Registration https://shorturl.at/cYjpI
Program Highlights
- Academic Support
- Homework Assistance
- STEM Activities
- Arts & Crafts
- Physical Activity
- Healthy Snacks
- Character Development
- Family Engagement
Program times – 2:15pm-6:00pm
Program Contact – Angie Lincoln-Velez, [email protected]
Summer Camp
Locations
- Turner Center
- School-based Camp Locations
Activities
- Sports
- Industry Exploration
- Swimming
- Field Trips
- STEAM
- Reading Enrichment
- Outdoor Education
- Arts
- Team Building
Program times – M-F, 6:30am-6pm
Program Contact – Angie Lincoln-Velez, [email protected]
Early Learning
District Executive Director
Diana Jacobson
Early Learning Academy
Tonya Baez – [email protected]
West Elementary Early Learning Academy
INFO:
- Times: 6:30am-6:00pm
- Ages: 1 year – 4 years
- Days: Monday – Friday
- Breakfast, lunch and snack provided
For registration information contact Kim Duncan at [email protected]
Reading Buddies
Literacy Programs Mission: Our mission, through literacy, is to provide every student with the opportunity to reach their full potential for success.
Reading Buddies is the YMCA of Southwest Florida's literacy mentoring program that pairs caring volunteers with elementary students to provide one-on-one reading support. Through weekly sessions focused on reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and confidence, Reading Buddies helps students strengthen their literacy skills while building positive relationships with trusted adult mentors. The program is designed to foster a love of reading and improve academic success by providing individualized encouragement and support.
Programs locations:
- West Elementary School
- Nocatee Elementary School
- Memorial Elementary School
New Worlds Reading Buddies is a partnership with the University of Florida's New Worlds Reading Initiative that provides trained volunteer reading mentors to support K–5 students who need additional reading practice. Using evidence-based literacy activities and engaging books, mentors work alongside students to improve reading proficiency, confidence, and enjoyment of reading. The program complements classroom instruction and helps ensure more children develop the strong literacy skills needed for long-term academic success.
Association Director of Literacy
Shannon Vianello – [email protected]
For more information regarding our literacy initiatives or if you want to start a literacy initiative, please reach out to Shannon Vianello.
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Early Learning
District Executive Director
Diana Jacobson
Early Learning Academy
Tonya Baez – [email protected]
West Elementary Early Learning Academy
INFO:
- Times: 6:30am-6:00pm
- Ages: 1 year – 4 years
- Days: Monday – Friday
- Breakfast, lunch and snack provided
For registration information contact Kim Duncan at [email protected]
Food & Nutrition Programs
The YMCA of Southwest Florida is committed to ensuring that no child goes hungry in DeSoto County. Through year-round Food & Nutrition Programs, the YMCA provides nutritious meals and food assistance to children and families through summer meal sites, afterschool meals, rural feeding initiatives, and holiday food distributions. Working alongside community partners and the School District of DeSoto County, the YMCA helps reduce food insecurity while ensuring children have the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Association Director of Food and Nutrition:
Vernadine Hawkins – [email protected]
Programs offered:
- Summer Meals – All of our summer camp sites are open meal sites for all children 18 and under each day between 11am-1pm for lunch.
- Rural Feeding – Each Wednesday night throughout the summer we provide weekly meals for all children 18 and under, 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches. We also partner with All Faiths Food banks to provide bags of food for the family.
- Afterschool Meal Program – When school is out we provide a 5 component meal to all of the children registered in our Before and After School program
Beacons Program
The YMCA Beacons Program empowers middle and high school students to succeed in school, prepare for their future, and become engaged community leaders. Through mentoring, academic support, leadership development, career exploration, service learning, and family engagement, Beacons provides a safe and supportive environment where youth can build confidence, develop life skills, and connect with caring adults. In partnership with the School District of DeSoto County and local organizations, the program helps students discover their potential and prepares them for success in college, careers, and life.
Locations of Program:
- DeSoto County High School
- DeSoto County Secondary School
- DeSoto County Middle School
To learn more and register, please contact Darrell Nicklow at [email protected]
Sports
Join the excitement with YMCA Youth Sports, proudly offered in partnership with DeSoto County Parks & Recreation. From first-time players to seasoned athletes, our leagues are designed to help every child build confidence, learn new skills, make lifelong friends, and create unforgettable memories in a fun, encouraging, and family-friendly environment. We don't just play the game, we help kids develop character, leadership, and a lifelong love for being active.
Soccer - Registration link https://shorturl.at/Fd4fL