This past week was a week to remember in the heart of little Wilder, Idaho. Wilder is a rural farming community, about 30 minutes outside of Caldwell, where hard work and family ties run deep. This fall, the YMCA and Wilder School District are working together to help families plant seeds of opportunity.
We are proud to launch two programs to help every child & youth grow: Y Guided Discover Preschool and Wilder Y Kids After School Program.
Children of local migrant farm families will find more than just a safe place to be, they will harvest the fruits of achievement, relationships, and belonging. Every day, children & youth will enjoy healthy snacks and meals that fuel their learning and play. They will explore hands-on enrichment activities, strengthen their academic skills, and stay physically active through games and outdoor fun. I had the privilege to set up the soccer goals in our after school program and see all the excitement about the opportunity to play more soccer. Let’s just say, things got wild in Wilder.
But most of all, children & youth will connect with friends, with caring Y staff, and with the broader Wilder community that believes in them. Whether it is a preschooler discovering the joy of learning for the first time or a 5th grade student winding down after a long day of school, every moment at the Y is about building confidence, character, and community.
We have come a long way to impact the Wilder community through various funding opportunities. We originally started in Wilder with the support of the Idaho Out-of-School Network and the Casey Family Foundation. Today, we are able to continue this program for an additional five years through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants. These funding sources, along with other donors, continue to be pivotal in the work we do to ensure all children & youth have a safe, supportive environment to learn, grow, and thrive.
A huge shoutout to our Y Leaders that make the work in Wilder possible: Julia Clark, Nicole, Pratt, Kristin Foster, Kenna Ostrander, Amanda Kissell, and Monica Williamson. Your dedication and heart is what brings the Y mission to life in Wilder. OF course, our two wonderful lead partners: Alex Zamora and Nancy Dyer, that both help us so much as school partners.
In Wilder, we’re not just growing crops, we are growing children & youth who are strong in mind, body, and spirit. Together, we are harvesting the leaders of tomorrow.
We will be hosting our Lights On After School event in Wilder on Oct. 23, 2026. If you are interested in visiting, then please contact wilderykids@ymcatvidaho.org for more information.
