NILES — So far this summer, 11-year-old Uriah Orozco has learned how to build a tower out of straws, how to make slime and many other things through his time at the Summer My Way program.

Orozco shared his findings enthusiastically during the Summer My Way luncheon Wednesday at Northside Child Development Center. The annual event invites politicians and program supporters to visit Summer My Way and see the day camp in action.

Denise Peters, the chief of operations officer for the YMCA of Southwest Michigan, said she hopes that those who visited Summer My Way Wednesday see the difference the program makes in participants’ lives.

“It’s a fun environment, but they are still engaged in learning,” Peters said. “Although it is curriculum based, kids actually get to apply a lot of things they are doing into activities. It’s fun they don’t even realize they are learning.”

For the past five years, the YMCA of Southwest Michigan has hosted the camp. Community partnerships help to fund and provide curriculum for the camp. Because of this, the camp is offered at no cost to families.

Due to funding and space, the camp is limited to about 250 participants – space for the camp typically fills up fast. A Summer My Way camp is also offered to Brandywine students and this year there were 80 participants.

Youth from kindergarten through the sixth grade take part in the six-week camp. Students in middle school, high school and college can sign up to be camp mentors. This summer, youth got to learn cooking, engineering, nature and science skills, as well as topics like “Things That Go Boom.” A number of physical fitness opportunities were also presented in the form of kickball, baseball and basketball. Children get to pick to engage in the activities that most interest them. Transportation and two free meals a day are also provided to Summer My Way children through the Niles Community Schools District.

Ashley Aldridge, the youth director for Summer My Way, said some additional highlights this year were a “launch pad rocket” and “exploding paint” project. On high temperature days, local firefighters visited the school and sprayed water for the children to cool off in.

“It’s just fun seeing them laugh and seeing them express themselves,” Aldridge said.

Among those to visit the camp Wednesday was Sen. John Proos. When Proos heard about all the activities available for students, he said he wished he could spend every day at Summer My Way.

“Firetrucks and rockets, are you kidding me?” Proos said “Can we have our Legislative break at Summer My Way? I appreciate the leadership and the vision it takes from all the community partners. When you have 29 community partners making a difference for hundreds of kids in north and south county that makes a huge difference.”

Proos said Summer My Way is a prime example of program that can keep children engaged in learning throughout the summer months. He said he believes this better prepares students to “hit the ground running” when school returns in the fall.

Niles Community Schools District Dan Applegate echoed this sentiment.

“They have mentors and great staff working here, it just builds upon the school year academically and socially, it is a great fit,” Applegate said. “We are so fortunate to have all the partners working together to make this happen. This is a lot of fun. You hear a lot of laughing.”

While the luncheon served as an opportunity to show off the camp, it was also a chance to thank the partners, like the city of Niles, Niles District Library, Niles History Center and many others who help to write curriculum for the program or support it.

Mark Weber, the CEO of the YMCA of Southwest Michigan, thanked elected officials and local partners for working together to make the camp a reality for so many children.

For Orozco, this is his first time participating in Summer My Way. With weeks left to go, Orozco said he is eager to learn more and participate in activities like flag football.