"This is a great place to be:" YMCA offers escape from cold and closings

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Indoor children's activities and piping hot bowls of soup were popular today as local schools closed due to the cold. The Rite-Hite Family YMCA in Brown Deer was a hot spot today for parents seeking activities for their out-of-school children.

It's another day in the deep freeze in Milwaukee that forced area schools to close.

So kids like Antonio were brought to the Rite-Hite YMCA -- far away from the bitter cold. But the frigid temps forced them inside all day.

"As long as we have things for them to do it goes by pretty fast," said a YMCA staff member.

While schools may be out of session, moms and dads don't often get snow days.

"You do not want to miss work because it's spur of the moment, you're not ready, it's not planned. So you're able to say, yes my children are going to be safe and they're going to have fun," said April Greenman, Director of School Age Education YMCA.

The Y offers 'school out' days where students of all ages can learn, eat lunch and play with their peers.

"Currently, we're serving kids from 5 different school districts so they get to meet each other, and then they get to see each other at different times so it's just a wonderful opportunity for them to socialize and learn those important values that the Y supports," said Greenman.

"That's what the Y is here for, especially on days like today when it's super cold out, everyone's inside, this is a great place to be. Lots of activity happening," said Vice President of Operations at YMCA Brown Deer, TR Yow.

Because on the coldest days there will always be warmth at the Y.

The Y is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to both members and non-members.

Parents are encouraged to call their local YMCA to get their child registered for future snow day care, CLICK HERE for more information.