Thursday, May 27, 2010

Day Camp Overview

by Leslie Swanson
YMCA Marketing and Media Intern

Kids ages 3-14 have the opportunity, once again, to enhance their spirit, mind, and body at the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Day Camps as they have for the past 25 years.

The state-licensed camps last for 12 weeks, with each week having a different theme. Campers can also choose from six different camps: Traditional Y Day Camp, Y Sports Camp, K-Camp, Young Explorers Camp, Y Arts Camp, and the Y Leaders Club Camp. Camp starts on June 14 and registration is now being taken.

At the Traditional Y Day Camp, campers are split into age groups and participate in activities designed around the theme of the week. This camp is for kids entering grades 1-6. This camp costs $95 per week for YMCA facility members and $115 per week for YMCA program members.

The Y Sports Camp gives campers an introduction to new sports as well as an opportunity to polish their skills. Each week features a new sport. Kids entering grades 4-6 can participate in this camp. This camp costs $105 per week for facility members and $125 per week for program members.

The K-Camp, a camp solely for kids entering kindergarten, provides campers a variety of age-appropriate activities similar to those in the traditional day camp. This camp costs $95 per week for facility members and $115 per week for program members.

The Young Explorers Camp, for kids age 3 ½-4, takes place at the Y Child Care Center. This camp is based on the YMCA’s values. This camp costs $115 per week for facility members and $145 per week for program members.

The Y Arts Camp, for kids entering grades 4-6, introduces art through four themes: “Pure Nature”, “African Safari”, “Art History”, and “Art Expression.” This camp costs $105 per week for facility members and $125 per week for program members. This is a special four week camp that begins on July 12.

The Y Leaders Club Camp, designed for kids entering grades 7-9, teaches campers how to apply the YMCA’s values to leadership models. This camp costs $95 per week for facility members and $115 per week for program members.

There are scholarships and financial aid programs available to those kids who qualify.

For more information check our website at http://www.gtbayymca.org , the day camp blog site at http://dcgtbayymca.blogspot.com , or call 933-9622.

Y MEMORIAL DAY & SUMMER HOURS

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA facilities will be closed on Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day.

The YMCA Main Facility will begin its summer hours on Tuesday, June 1.

The main facility located at 3000 Racquet Club Drive in Traverse City will be open Monday – Friday from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturdays from 8:00 am to Noon, and closed on Sundays. This schedule will continue through Labor Day 2010 (September 6).

Y Day Camp celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. Sign up information can be found on our website.

All YMCA programming and information is available at http://www.gtbayymca.org/ or by calling the Front Desk at 231-933-YMCA (9622). The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA has been a local charity since 1964 serving community needs of over 10,000 program participants and 2,800 members each year. Because of the generosity of donors over 500 children and adults received financial assistance so that they can fully participate in YMCA programs and membership.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Y Adult Soccer


"The ball does not care how old you are!"
Because of community demand, the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA will continue to offer adult soccer leagues this summer. There will be separate divisions for both men and women. The cost of the program is $25 per player and you must be at least 18 years old to participate.


The women's league will be held on Wednesday evenings and the men's league will take place on Thursday evenings, beginning on June 9th and June 10th respectively. The program will run for 8 weeks, ending on August 4th & 5th. There will not be any games during the week of the National Cherry Festival. All games are played on the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA soccer fields, located at 3000 Racquet Club Drive. Game-times will be 7 p.m. for both divisions.

The league will be played using a "drop-in" format. Participants will divide themselves into teams on a weekly basis prior to game time. All games will be officiated.

The main goals of all YMCA programs are fun and fitness. YMCA Soccer Coordinator Bill Sparks says, "The Y adult soccer leagues are always a lot of fun for the players. The league is the ideal summer venue to get together with friends."

If you would like more information about the adult summer soccer leagues, please feel free to call the YMCA at 933-9622. You may also visit our website at http://www.gtbayymca.org/  or our blog site at http://newsgtbayymca.blogspot.com/  for more information.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

May Healthy Family Home Newsletter


This month's YMCA-USA Healthy Family Home Newsletter is available on-line at:

http://www.ymca.net/healthyfamilyhome/newsletter.html

This month features:

Family Time
Kid's Corner
Fun with Fruits and Vegetables
Ask the Food Dude
Playground Idea
Meal Idea.

At the YMCA we build strong kids, strong families, strong communities!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Family Fun Night

MAY FAMILY FUN NIGHTS AT YMCA


Family Fun Nights are opportunities for families to get together with others to enjoy themselves and the program and facilities of the Grand Travere Bay YMCA. We build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.

Family Fun Night for May 7 & 21 will be "Luau Party" with bonfire (weather permitting), Limbo, make leis & Hawaiian projects, create your own Fruit Kabobe! The May 7 event will be at the YMCA Main Facility, 3000 Racquet Club Drive, Traverse City and the May 21 event will be held at the Y Child Care Center, 1100 Woodmere Ste B, Traverse City.

Both events are from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Always there is all you can eat pizza.

These events are free to YMCA members and are $15 per family for the public.

Contact Molly Brown at 421-3568 or email at childcare@gtbayymca.org. Information on all of the YMCA’s 65 programs is available at our website at www.gtbayymca.org.