Kids on rope bridge at camp

Our Services

HELPING YOU NAVIGATE MILITARY LIFE

Our core programmatic focus is on the resiliency of military families. Military life presents unique challenges for the family unit and each individual member. That’s why we provide experiences to help navigate military life amidst transfers, deployments, increased child care needs and financial burdens. Programs are offered at no or low cost and require no membership fees.

We work closely with the Department of Defense and installation commands to identify opportunities and augment service areas to help young military families come together, stay together and thrive together.

Child & Youth Programs

Teacher helps two young children with their reading skills

Help Me Grow & Help Me Learn

Our Half-Day Preschool program offers structured classes for 3 year and 4-5 year old children to help prepare them for Kindergarten by providing age-appropriate lessons, crafts, numbers, and social skills.

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Mother and daughter working together to practive writing skills

Operation Little Learners

Operation Little Learners is an interactive early childhood education program for parents and their children to enhance bonds and encourage child development.

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A boy holding a basketball between his hands

Youth Sports & Fitness

Our Youth Sports and Fitness Initiative set children up for success by engaging them in physical activities that foster healthy habits, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment.

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a group of smiling school-age kids study together

Operation Hero

Operation Hero is a no-cost after-school program designed to help military kids who may be struggling with change get back on track at home and in school.

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smiling kids make a team hudle in the woods during summer camp

Operation Camp

Operation Camp encourages healthy living and provides activities and social bonding opportunities for military children.

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Close up of child hand painting

Annual Art & Essay Contest

The annual Armed Services YMCA Art & Essay Contest gives military children a voice. It also serves as a reminder of the sacrifices military children, service members, and their families make for our country

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Music and Me

Music and Me is an early childhood music and movement program for children from birth through age eight. This parent/child interactive music program helps little ones develop their innate musicality by incorporating both music education and child development.

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group of kindergarten-age kids play music on differfent instrucments

Assistance & Support Programs

A soldier and his daughter pack canned food into a brown bag at a food distribution event

Emergency Food Assistance

The Armed Services YMCA Fort Leonard Wood offers grocery support for military families to combat food insecurity and help reduce financial stress, enabling them to focus on mission readiness.

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family welcoming soldier home with hugs

Operation Ride Home

Operation Ride Home provides financial assistance to active duty junior-enlisted military and their families to travel home for the holidays.

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joyful Child receiving a christmas gift

Operation Holiday Joy

Operation Holiday Joy provides meals for junior-enlisted service members and their families during the Thanksgiving holiday.

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Exciting new changes coming soon!

A new-and-improved membership and program portal is on its way! Soon you'll be able to sign up for memberships, enroll in programs, and update account information, all online! In the meantime, you can visit our services directory to get in contact with a staff member who can guide you through accessing our services.

Go to Services Directory

GET PROGRAM UPDATES

Get notified of program openings and application periods by completing the form below and letting us know which programs you want to be the first to know about.