Meet Kylan, a first time camper who has taken the Emerson Family YMCA by storm. Upon moving to St. Louis, the weight of finding a program that would accommodate Kylan and his diagnosis was at the forefront of his mothers mind. During the summer of 2024 the Emerson family YMCA was able to serve 16 kids with documented disabilities or Individualized Education Plans. With a grand total of 22 campers that needed some type of accommodation on a daily basis.

A quote from Kylan's mom: We have made life long friends by picking the Emerson location. When you have a child with Autism, most times making friends can be really hard to do. However the kids at this YMCA really took to Kylan as though they were not even aware he had a disability. Helping him every time he took off his shoes. Meeting him at the drop off door with huge smiles. Then walking him to the car when it was time to go home! So when you find something like we did at the Y, you just have to stick with it.”