Once just the name in a fun song, Stillwater’s YMCA became the Van Der Merwe’s go-to place for a fun summer on a budget. The Van Der Merwes, from left to right: TJ, Gracie (5), Matthew (3), Chelsey, Emmett (1).
As the summer of 2024 comes to a close, the Van Der Merwe family is calling it their "best summer ever." No lottery wins or strokes of luck—just some planning, a positive attitude, and the perfect local venue made this summer unforgettable for the young family of five.
Before this May, the YMCA was just a fun song played at wedding receptions for Chelsey Van Der Merwe. She and her husband, T.J., and kids, Gracie (5), Matthew (3), and Emmett (1), had never been there before. It came to their attention early in the summer as they started looking for somewhere to do fun family activities and work out as affordably as possible. "For economic reasons, we needed to find a place that could fit as many needs as possible," says Chelsey. She is an educator and Ph.D. student at OSU studying Mathematics education. T.J., a Chemistry student, tends their kids at home.
At first, the YMCA wasn't at the top of their list because it was an indoor swimming pool. But as they started looking around, they found it to be the all-around winner. "We knew that if we were going to pay for a pool pass that included a gym, the gym had to be good enough, and we wouldn't pay for any other gyms because our finances are so tight."
Chelsey credits their tight finances to help make life simpler since the elaborate plans would have to wait.
"It's just like being grateful for the things you have and the time you have them... and not letting your circumstances deny you of happiness or excitement or fun at the different levels of your life."
The Y worked with the Van Der Merwes to find a membership fee that fit their budget. "They have financial aid for people on low income, so we talked to the staff there and found a price that worked for our budget, and we have utilized it so much." From the front desk staff to the lifeguards, Chelsey has nothing but praise. "The staff there has been so great!"
One example is Lyle, her son Matthew's swimming instructor. Despite it being his first time teaching, Lyle helped a nervous Matthew find joy in the water. "Matthew was in tears the first day, but Lyle made him feel super calm and then he just loved it the rest of the time," says Chelsey.
The Van Der Merwes found a way to mix structured planning with fun. To keep this routine going every day required the family to cooperate, planning each night before to ensure they had all their swimming and workout gear. It became part of the fun. "We found something we all love to do together," says Chelsey.
The indoor pool turned out to be a bonus—no need for sunscreen. “You don't have to sunscreen your kids," Chelsey notes, which is a relief given the extra time it would take to wash it out of Emmett's wispy hair.
Daily swimming at the Y wasn't their only summer tradition. The family also enjoyed homemade pizza and movie nights on Fridays, Saturday morning cartoons, and giving the kids a weekly allowance of $1.50 to teach money management.
With the fall semester now in full swing and Chelsey back at school, things have changed a bit. T.J. and the boys plan to keep their daily YMCA routine, while Chelsey will join them on weekends. But the perspective and closeness the Van Der Merwe’s have gained will stay with them.
"T.J. and I talk about this a lot: We’re making the least amount of money we’ve ever made in our marriage right now, and we have the biggest family we've ever had in our marriage. But we've found ways to find happiness and to do things we love regardless of the fact that we don't make a ton of money."
