Tickets on Sale!

ESPN 1310 AM presents 

Thanks to our sponsors: ESPN 1310 AM, the Paul & Barb Bandrowski Family, David & Leslie Heimberger, Lou Anne Ford, Coldwell Banker Schmidt, Jones Center for Pain Management.

Healthy Family

October's Healthy Family Home Newsletter is available at:

http://www.ymca.net/healthy-family-home/newsletter.html

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Y PEE WEE SPORTS /BASKETBALL begins Oct 26

For boys and girls in preschool, 3 - 5 year olds. Learn the basics of sports in a non-competitive, fun, and supporting atmosphere. Program is grounded in the Ys four core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Safety, skills, and teamwork are the focus. Class meets at the newly remodeled Y Gymnasium.  Parents are encouraged to get involved in class exercises.

Location: YMCA Main Facility

Pee Wee Sports/Basketball

Ages 3 - 5
Click here for form
Registration Deadline: Oct 17
Season: Wednesday, Oct 26 - Dec 7 (no class Nov 23)

Y Basketball Skills Program

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
BASKETBALL SKILLS PROGRAM
GRADES  K - 3 & 4 - 6

This is a perfect way to learn the game. We run drills, play scrimmages, and have a lot of fun shooting hoops. Half the class is spent on fundamentals, then we put them into practice with a game. All equipment provided.

Class meets on Wednesdays for 6 weeks.

Basketball Skills: 

Registration Deadline: Oct 17
Click here for form
Season: Wed, Oct 26 - Dec 7 (no class Nov 23)
Grades K - 3: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Grades 4 - 6: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Family Fun Nights presented by the Y

Family Fun Night At the Main Y

Come join us for family friendly games of racquetball, basketball, tennis, ping pong, and more. All-you-can-eat pizza, beverages, and snack provided.

Location: Y Main Facility, 3000 Racquet Club Dr, Traverse City, MI

Dates/Sessions: First Friday each month

(October - May)

Oct 7, Oct 28 (no Nov 4), Dec 2, Jan 6, Feb 3, Mar 2, Apr 6, May 4

Times: 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Y Member Fee: FREE Non-member fee: $15 per family

At the Y Early Childhood Center

This night is geared toward families with younger children offering art projects, bounce house and a huge gym. All you can eat pizza, beverages, and snack provided.

Location: Y Early Childhood Center, 1100 Woodmere, Ste B, Traverse City, MI

Dates/Sessions: Third Friday each month

(October - May)

Oct 28, Nov 18 (Thanksgiving), Dec 16 (Christmas), Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 23, Apr 20, May 18

Times: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Y Member Fee: FREE     Non-member fee: $15 per family.

YMCA Pop Warner Video Clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCfy9qRBgZ0

Local youth took part in the YMCA Pop Warner football games that were played at Onekama School on Saturday, Sept. 24. (News Advocate video/Dave Yarnell)

Y Flag Football this fall

The YMCA offers the best flag football program for boys and girls in the region. All equipment is provided. All games are officiated. All players get awards for participating. Coaches are volunteer parents. Practices are built-in followed by a game each night. Bring water bottle and dress for weather. We play in the rain! Both divisions meet once per week for 6 weeks.

League Dates: Week of Mon, Sept 19 to week of Mon, Oct 24

Grades 2 & 3: Play Tues or Wed 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Grades 4 & 5: Play  Wed or Thurs 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Click here for schedule and rules.

Y Softball - Fall Coed Program

We offer Coed leagues in the fall.  Games are played at the Civic Center.  Contact Barb Beckett at the Y for more info at 231-933-9622.  Get your glove and bat and “let’s play ball!”

Season: Coed League play Sunday beginning September 11

Click here for schedule.  

Y Softball - Fall Mens Program

We offer Men's leagues in the fall.  Games are played at the Civic Center.  Contact Barb Beckett at the Y for more info at 231- 933-9622.  Get your glove and bat and “let’s play ball!”

Season: Men’s League plays Monday - Wednesday beginning September 12

 Click here for schedule.

Fall Women's Basketball

Women’s Basketball League

This league is for high school girls and women wanting to play basketball. Round Robin format played on Sunday evenings at Traverse City area gymnasiums.

Season: Sun, Sep 18 - Nov 13

Click here for schedule and rules.

Got a truck?

Got a truck to donate to the Y? Currently we are looking for late model trucks that can aid in the maintaining of our 3 locations. Call Tony Letizio at 231-933-9622 for specifications.

Luke & Murphy Jensen Traverse City Tickets Now on Sale!

Y Soccer Schedules Posted.

Y YOUTH FALL SOCCER LEAGUES

These coed recreational leagues emphasize fun and safety. For grades K-8. Six games on Saturday mornings with 2 games played midweek. We play on local fields. Teams are made by school and special request so you can play with your friends. Coaches are volunteers. 

Location:  Area Fields including the New Y Fields!

Youth Soccer : Grades K - 8

League Dates: Sep 24 - Oct 29 (Sat & some Tue & Thu)

2011 Fall Soccer Schedules:

Click here - Kindergarten

Click here - Grades 1 - 2

Click here - Grades 3 - 4

Click here - Grades 5 - 6

Registration Dealine: Sep 10      Click here for registration form

Picture by John Russell taken at the New Y Meijer Athletic Fields located at 3700 W Silver Lake Road, Traverse City, MI

And then there were 4 ...

With the help of area pickleballers, the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA was able to restripe the gymnasium and added one more pickleball court.  Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the Y opens its indoor courts to Pickleball.  Members pay $2 per day, non-member pay $10 for a day pass and $2 per day court fee.

Call for more information at 231-933-9622.

List of donors and other pickleball facts can be found at Click here.

First published in the Grand Traverse Insider, Sunday, September 18, 2011

What happens when you give to the Y?

By Tom Van Deinse, CEO

Ever wonder if your donation really matters?  What if you could track the impact of your gift - what kind of a story would you see? 

As the directors of the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA board prepare again for their annual "Invest in Youth" fundraising campaign later this month, they are reminded of such a story that unfolded at the YMCA just a few months ago...

Joan M. (not her real name) broke down crying in our office.  As a single parent who had lost her job almost a year ago, she faced a choice – find affordable quality child care for her two young children and try to reenter the work force, or stay at home with her children and rely on whatever charitable services she could for food and shelter.

She knew the latter was a downward spiral from which there was little chance of escape.  If she had a job, she’d have the opportunity to create her own destiny, but there was a short term problem.  Because she hadn’t been working for some time, she did not qualify for DHS assistance with her child care.  A large portion of what she would earn at a new job would go toward paying for child care.  In the short term, without any help with these costs, it would actually make more financial sense for her to stay at home and not work at all, especially when the time and expense of searching for a new job are factored in.  But Joan was thinking about long term.  Joan was thinking about the day when she didn’t need any help at all.  Joan just needed a hand up, not a hand out.

Of the 57 children now enrolled at the Y Early Childhood Education Center, 11 of them come from families with stories similar to Joan’s.  The majority of our parents can afford to pay what it costs to run a high quality, curriculum-based, values-driven program.  Many others qualify for DHS, and need no other local assistance.  But for Joan and others like her, the additional financial assistance provided by a grant from the Invest in Youth Appeal makes all the difference. 

Thanks to Invest in Youth and other sources of funding, Joan will be able to rest assured that her children are cared for in a safe, nurturing, educational environment while she works.  Once established in the work force, she will again qualify for DHS assistance and no longer need help with funding.  As her situation improves, Joan hopes to reach a point where she needs no government help, either. 

And that’s why Joan was crying in our office.  She was shedding tears of joy and hope for the future of her family.  None of that could have happened without help from the people who donate to Invest in Youth.

For more information about giving to Invest in Youth contact Dave Eitland, Y director of development, at 933-9622 or dave@gtbayymca.org. More information about all of the Ys programs can be found at www.gtbayymca.org.

Download a donation form - Click here 

Mail with your donation to:

Grand Traverse Bay YMCA

Attn: Invest in Youth

3000 Racquet Club Drive

Traverse City, MI 49684-4770

500 Expected for Y Teen Dance

Local Teens can dance the night away, get their fill of mouth-watering pizza, and get in a few games with hundreds of their friends during the Teen Dance, Saturday, September 17 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. The dance will be held at the Y’s main facility at 3000 Racquet Club Drive in Traverse City.

The dance is open to students in grades 6, 7, 8 and is free for Y members who present their membership card upon entry. The price is $8 for non-members. The price includes three hours of dancing to music provided by a professional DJ, open gym, pizza and pop. Appropriate behavior, attire, ID is required.

“YMCA Teen Dances offer a fun and safe environment in which teenagers are able to meet new people and have fun,” said Tom Van Deinse, CEO, Grand Traverse Bay YMCA. “Our dance is always popular where we have about 500 kids in attendance.”

Parents are welcome to chaperone, and volunteers are always needed for the event. If interested please contact Van Deinse at 231-933-9622.

The next teen dance will be on Saturday, October 1, 2011.

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA works every day to better our region, and solve issues that community members are concerned about. At the Y we offer programs that help kids reach their potential in a safe and healthy environment, that help families and individuals achieve better health, and that encourage every member of the region to get involved and make their community a better place. This is a goal that we have strived towards for decades, and our aim is to bring more services to as many people as possible in the key areas of: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.

Family Fun Nights begin on Friday

The YMCA helps families build the five pillars that support a healthy family home: EAT HEALTHY, PLAY EVERY DAY, GET TOGETHER, GO OUTSIDE, AND SLEEP WELL. By using these pillars you can make the first steps in living a healthier life.

A great way for families to come together and build on these pillars is Family Fun Night. Bring the whole family for a game of basketball, racquetball, and tennis.  Don't forget to challenge each other in a game of Wii bowling or boxing!  Our Family Fun Night is also a great way to escape the kitchen because we provide a pizza dinner. No dishes or clean up for you tonight!

The YMCA Child Care Center, located on 1100 Woodmere Ave, Suite B, Traverse City, holds a Family Fun Night geared toward younger children on the third Friday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The next night is scheduled for September 16. 

Family Fun Night is held on the first Friday of every month at the YMCA Main Facility, 3000 Racquet Club Dr, Traverse City from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  The cost is FREE to YMCA members and only $15 per family for non-members. The next night is scheduled for October 7.
 

The cost is FREE to YMCA members and only $15 per family for non-members for both Family Nights. 

More information is available at our website at www.gtbayymca.org  or contacting Dagny Monette at 421-3568.  The Y is for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Healthier Kids Program at Y

First published in Grand Traverse Insider – September 11, 2011

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA is reminding parents about the importance of incorporating regular physical activity and healthier eating habits into their children’s lives.

The Y Urges Healthier Habits for Kids

Childhood obesity rates have soared over the last few decades. Nationally, one in three children is obese or overweight, while 30.6% children in Michigan have also been affected by this epidemic, according to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation study. More alarming, obesity puts children at risk for chronic diseases often seen in adults, such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. This health crisis sheds light on the need to provide children and their parents with the resources and the support they need, emphasizing that small steps can lead to big results to reverse the trend.

One key to fighting childhood obesity is prevention. Regular physical activity – 60 minutes a day for children – and nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower children’s chances of becoming obese or overweight and developing chronic diseases. It’s important to note that 60 minutes of physical activity can be achieved through a number of activities throughout the entire day – it doesn’t have to be done all at once. As a leading nonprofit strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y believes that getting kids more active and allowing them to play is an important factor in improving their health.  

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA offers programs such as Youth Working on Wellness (Youth WOW). These programs have helped youth ages 10 to 17 by educating them in nutrition and providing for a special exercise program. 

“At the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, we know that many families struggle to find the time and resources to eat healthier and set aside time for physical activity every day,” said Tom Van Deinse. “So we tailor our programs to meet the needs of families in the community to help make the healthier choice an easier choice.”

A new session for the fall session of Youth WOW begins on September 12. To learn more about the YMCA Youth WOW program, please contact Tom Van Deinse at 231-933-9622 or tvd@gtbayymca.org.

NEWLY PAINTED FLOOR AT GYM AT Y

The fresh paint smell at the Y this week is due to the newly painted of the gym floor.

This painting will reconfigure the indoor pickleball courts to allow for more play. Pickleball is a growing sport and a mainstay at the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA.

We thank Artistic Dog Grooming;  Bowerman, Bowden, Ford, Clulo, Luyt;  Thomas Boyce;  Donald Crewes;  Bud Dockter;  Bart Ford;  Lou Anne Ford;  Gary Ford;  Great Lakes International Trading; Milo Karhu;  Lake Lansing Road Development Co LLC;  Arne Lundmark; Richard Meyer;  Dorothy Moroff; PickleBall Outfitters;  Bob Postma;  George Powell;  David Richey;  Gerald  Snowden;  Russell Soyring; Clyde Whipple; and Randy Wysong for their generous donations to make this project possible.

This is what pickleball looks like:

Rick Meyer is setting up his next shot.

The court measures inside the blue lines in this picture (left). The paddle is the size of a large hand and the ball looks like a whiffle ball. 

The game is truly one of the few co-ed sports for all ages. The game is fast paced and excellent for maintaining fitness. 

Call the Y at 933-9622 about Pickleball times of play.

Y Begins Fall Programs

Now in its 47^th year, the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA launches its fall programs and activities that implement our mission “to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.” These are just some of our 65 programs that we offer at the Y.

Y Pee Wee Sports/Kinderkickers provides children age 3 to 5 years old with a variety of experiences in sports like soccer, basketball, and many others. Classes begin on Wednesday, September 14, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm.

Our new Zumba is a dance fitness class that incorporates elements of dance, aerobics, interval, and resistance training for a comprehensive work out for adults. Classes begin on Tuesdays, 11:00 am – noon and Thursdays, 6:45 pm – 7:45 pm.

Y Gymnastics for ages 1 year to competition team level 10 begin at a variety of times this session on Monday, September 12. Call the Y Gymnastics Center at 929-2869. Our competition team achieved over 100 first places in regional and national meets last year.

Y Tennis provides a comprehensive program of lessons and leagues for all ages. Its newest offering, for adults, is a “Cardio Tennis” class that is held Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:30 am to noon. Private lessons are taught by USPTA certified professionals. Call 933-9622 to schedule.

Y Early Childhood Education provides quality and licensed child care and pre-school education in a vast 9,600 sq.ft. facility equipped with its own gymnasium. The YMCA, throughout its 2600 Ys, is the largest provider of child care in the country. The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Early Childhood Center provides Christian values based education with a comprehensive Creative Curriculum giving children a firm foundation for future education. Contact 421-3568 for a personal tour. Note: some classes now have waiting lists.

Y Adult Softball continues its tradition of quality competition offered in Men’s and Coed Leagues and held at the Grand Traverse Civic Center. Men’s league begins on Monday, September 12. The Coed league begins on Sunday, September 11. Contact Barb Beckett at 933-9622 or www.gtbayymca.org.

Y Women’s Basketball leagues are now being formed and will begin play on Sunday evenings, September 18, at various Traverse City area gyms. Registration and scheduling of teams continues.

Y Flag Football offers the best flag football program for boys and girls. There are two divisions with grades 2 & 3 playing on Tuesdays and grades 4 & 5 playing on Thursday beginning the week of September 19. Both divisions meet once per week for 6 weeks.

Y Teen Dances begin Saturday, September 17, 7:00 - 10:00 pm, Y Main Facility, for grades 6 - 8, free for Y members and $8 for non-members. ID and dress code enforced. Volunteer chaperons are always welcome. 

All information, registration forms, and program information is available at our website at www.gtbayymca.org or calling our Y staff at 231-933-9622.

At the YMCA we are for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Y Men's Winter Basketball - Registration open Now!

For over 30 years, the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA has provided  Men's Winter Basketball in Traverse City area gymnasiums.

Season is the Week of October 30, 2011 to Week to March 2012.

Click here for complete registration information. Register early!

Contact Barb  Beckett, Y Sports Director, at 231-933-9622 for more information or http://www.gtbayymca.org/

Youth WOW combats obesity!

The Y Urges Healthier Habits for Kids during Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA is reminding parents about the importance of incorporating regular physical activity and healthier eating habits into their children’s lives.

Childhood obesity rates have soared over the last few decades. Nationally, one in three children is obese or overweight, while 30.6% children in Michigan have also been affected by this epidemic, according to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation study. More alarming, obesity puts children at risk for chronic diseases often seen in adults, such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. This health crisis sheds light on the need to provide children and their parents with the resources and the support they need, emphasizing that small steps can lead to big results to reverse the trend.

One key to fighting childhood obesity is prevention. Regular physical activity – 60 minutes a day for children – and nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower children’s chances of becoming obese or overweight and developing chronic diseases. It’s important to note that 60 minutes of physical activity can be achieved through a number of activities throughout the entire day – it doesn’t have to be done all at once. As a leading nonprofit strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y believes that getting kids more active and allowing them to play is an important factor in improving their health.  

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA offers programs such as Youth Working on Wellness (Youth WOW). These programs have helped youth ages 10 to 17 by educating them in nutrition and providing for an special exercise program. 

“At the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, we know that many families struggle to find the time and resources to eat healthier and set aside time for physical activity every day,” said Tom Van Deinse. “So we tailor our programs to meet the needs of families in the community to help make the healthier choice an easier choice.”

A new session for the fall session of Youth WOW begins on September 12. To learn more about the YMCA Youth WOW program, please contact Tom Van Deinse at 231-933-9622 or tvd@gtbayymca.org.

August 2011 - New Y Campaign Newsletter

The August 2011 New Y Campaign Newsletter is available for down load at click here.

This issue features stories on Elliott Bandrowski, Janet Evans Update, and Chuck and Dee Kelly - their lifelong fitness.

Note the size of the newsletter is 11" x 17" and may not fit for printing for all printers and software but is viewable on-line with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

New Y Picture Gallery

View the New Y Picture Gallery by clicking here .

Call Phil Ellis at Your Community Foundation at 231-935-4066 or make an on-line donation at www.4good4ever.org.

More information about the New Y at www.gtbayymca.org or calling 231-933-9622.

With your help and donation we will build it.