Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Summer Youth Programs at the Y!

First published in the Grand Traverse Insider, Sunday, May 29, 2011


SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS
By Barb Beckett, Y Sports Director

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA provides a broad spectrum of programming for the youth of our region this summer which include:

Y KINDERKICKERS

This basic introduction to soccer is geared for boys and girls in preschool, 3 - 5 year olds. They will learn the basics of soccer in a non-competitive, fun, values-based and supporting atmosphere with safety, skills, and teamwork are the focus. Class meets outdoors unless weather demands a move inside. Parents are encouraged to get involved in class exercises. Y Kinderkickers is held at the YMCA Main Facility, 3000 Racquet Club Dr in Traverse City on Wednesdays from June 15 to July 20 from 4:30 to 5:50 pm. Registration is due June 8 with fees for Y members at $25 and non-members at $60.

Y BASKETBALL SKILLS

The Y this summer offers a well rounded skills program where children in grades 1 to 4 can learn the basics of this popular sport in the context of the YMCA’s four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. The program will be held at YMCA Main Facility, 3000 Racquet Club Dr in Traverse City on Wednesdays from June 15 to July 20 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Registration is due June 8 with fees for Y members at $25 and non-members at $60.

Y BEACH VOLLEYBALL SKILLS

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA is proud to offer a beach volleyball skills program for grades 5 - 7. This program is a great way for players to further develop their volleyball skills. Each practice will include: ball control, game strategy, team play, a strong emphasis on fundamental skills, and strength and conditioning. Held at the Y Main Facility on Wednesdays from June 15 - July 20, 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Registration is due June 8 with fees for Y member at $25 and non-members at $60.

Y GYMNASTICS

The Y Gymnastics program will continue a full schedule of activity this summer for people ages 1 – high school in both recreational and team play at its 1100 Woodmere facility in Traverse City. “It’s also a great place for a summer birthday party,” comments Betsy Van Deinse, gymnastics supervisor. The first summer session begins June 20. Call the Y Gymnastic Center at 929-2869 for more information.

Y TENNIS

One of the featured activities of this YMCA, tennis pro and CEO, Tom Van Deinse says this summer’s activities will feature lessons for all ages and recreational play. Play will be available both indoors and outdoors on a scheduled basis. The first summer session begins June 20. Call the Y Main Facility at 933-9622 for more information.

Y DAY CAMP

The YMCA provides summer day camps most programming each week from June 13 to September 2 this year.

“Day Camp provides a camp style setting where children from ages 3 ½ to grade 9 will not only build lasting friendships but also will experience programs based on the core values of the YMCA of caring, respect, honesty, and responsibility,” commented Katie Winslow, summer camp supervisor. “Each camp will have team building, activities, arts and crafts, and field trips based on a weekly theme for each of the day camp groups. Our property is adjacent to the Boardman Nature Preserve which gives us 40 acres for our programs.”  (Note: There is a Camp Registration Night at the Y Main Facility on Friday June 3 at 6:00 pm. Sign up that night and save $25)

Registrations are now being taken. Call the Y Main Facility at 933-9622 for more information.

Y CHILD CARE

Located at 1100 Woodmere, Suite B, the Y Early Childhood Center provides a fully licensed 9,600 sq.ft. facility for children from infants to school age. The Center’s values-based curriculum, caring, and competent staff in a wonderful new facility provides the best care for your child. This YMCA provides scholarships for Y Child Care and all programs in keeping with its board of director’s policy of “no one denied” to YMCA programs due to financial circumstances. Call Dagny Monette at 421-3568 to arrange a personal tour. (Enrollment is subject to space availability.)

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA puts Judeo-Christian principles into practice through over 65 programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Detailed information and registration forms on these programs are available at www.gtbayymca.org or call 933-9622 to speak directly with the appropriate Y program director.

Summer Hours and Sessions at Y

New Summer Hours:
Mon - Fri, 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sat, 8:00 am - 12 noon
Sun, Closed

Summer Sessions:
Summer 1: Week of June 20 - Week of July 25
Summer 2: Week of August 1 - Week of August 22

Call the Front Desk for more information 231.933.9622

Friday, May 27, 2011

Courtney is here to help!

Courtney is one of our great front desk staff at the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Main Facility. She is ready to sign you up for a summer program.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

YMCA Gymnasts Win State Meet

Level 7 team left to right: Patricia Davis, Francie Flores, Kendra Benak and Annie Gerstner.


Patricia Davis, Kendra Benak and Francie Flores finished their Level 7 gymnastics season in style, winning individual all-around championships in their respective divisions.


For Davis, the road to the gold medal was an uphill climb, mirroring the challenges she faced for a good portion of the regular season, sidelined like her twin sister Amy with an injury.

“Two months ago A&P [Amy and Patricia Davis] were both sure they would not be able to compete at state,” said YMCA gym supervisor Betsy Van Deinse. “But their dad, Brian, said, ‘They’ll be ready. Sign ‘em up,’ and he was right!”

Davis began the meet with a respectable 9.35 vault. Respectable, but only good enough for 16th place. Already at the start of just the second event of the day, the dream of coming back from a mid-season injury to capture a state crown seemed impossible. But on bars Davis improved to third place, and with identical 9.55 first place beam and floor routines, her all-around score of 37.25 was six tenths higher than her next nearest competitor. She had won gold against all odds.

For Flores the final margin of victory was much closer (less than two tenths), but her championship fate was sealed early. She began her meet with first place beam and floor routines, posting scores of 9.575 and 9.7. After a slight dip with an 8th place vault, Flores bounced back to championship form with a 9.475 bars score to give her a 38.125 all-around individual gold medal.

Kendra Benak’s vault put her into ninth place for that event, but with a win on beam and a beautiful 9.675 first place floor routine, her 38.125 all-around score held up for the championship. Benak finished the year with a flawless record on floor, winning gold in that event at every meet this season.

“We were the only team in the state with three individual all-around champions,” beamed coach Gina Van Deinse, adding, “We competed in three age divisions and came out with an individual all-around champion in each one.”

Annie Gerstner also competed for the YMCA’s Level 7 team, turning in a second place floor performance, a second place 9.625 vault score (awarded third place due to a tie), and a seventh place bars routine. Her scores helped the YMCA team capture third place all-around, and win the team competition on floor.

“Annie and Francie have placed first and second in the all-around scoring all season, and Annie has been recognized as the most powerful vaulter in the state over the past few years,” confided coach Jennifer Van Deinse. “She had a hard time recovering from an uncharacteristic fall on beam, and it may have affected her vault at state, but she will be tough to beat next year.”

With a record-setting 10 gold medal performances at this year’s Level 7 state meet, and 14 gold medals with three all-around individual championships all together, “tough to beat” is a good prediction for the YMCA’s whole team next season.

Y Closed 5/29 & 5/30; New Summer Hours

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA announced that its main facility and programs are closed on Sunday, May 29 and Monday, May 30, 2011 for the US observance of Memorial Day.


The main facility located at 3000 Racquet Club Drive, just south of Airport Road, in Traverse City, will be open again on Tuesday, May 31 and begin its summer hours. The Y now will be open Monday – Friday from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday from 8:00 am to noon, and closed on Sundays. These hours are effective from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year.

Have you seen the New Y video? Click here for New Y video


Tennis Lessons, Court Rentals, and Group Leagues available.
Call 231-933-9622

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Noon Drop-in Basketball in Action

A photo array of people participating in our Noon Drop-in Basketball at the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA.

It happens every Tuesday and Thursday, Noon to 2 pm at the Main Y at 3000 Racquet Club Drive in Traverse City.

Thanks to John Russell for the photography.

Click here for the pictures

Volunteers for Parking Lot Fundraiser

Help the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA!


Bernie Stover and the people at Harborview Center continue to be generous to the Y and allow us to raise money through parking vehicles during the National Cherry Festival.

80 volunteers needed to serve in 16 shifts of 5 people each to help people park, collect fees and sell concessions.

Contact Dave Eitland at 231-933-9622 (YMCA) or email Dave for more information.

Needed: July 2 - 9, 2011.

Skills: working with public: patience and willingness to give directions

Requirements volunteers needed to serve in 16 shifts of 5 people each to help people park, collect fees and sell concessions.

Availiability to work various times from July 2 - 9, 2011 during the National Cherry Festival.

New Boot Camp Class added

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA has added a new Boot Camp Class to its fitness schedule. It will be held on Fridays at noon.


Boot Camp is a total fitness class where no two classes are alike.

Here is the current fitness offerings. All Classes at the 3000 Racquet Club Drive YMCA Facility:


The ball does not care how old you are ...

Now into its second summer, the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA offers adults a recreational summer soccer league. The league is purely for fun and fellowship.


Women’s League plays at 6:00 pm on Wednesdays from June 15 to August 10.

Men’s League plays at 6:00 pm on Thursdays from June 16 to August 11.

Teams are formed each game and are officiated. All games are at the YMCA located at 3000 Racquet Club Drive, Traverse City, just south of South Airport Drive.

Registration is $25 for six weeks or $10 per night on a drop-in basis. Call Barb Beckett at 933-9622 for more information or check our website at http://www.gtbayymca.org/ .

The Y is for Healthy Living. The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA provides a safe environment for adults to have fun and fitness.

“It’s more than just a membership … It’s the YMCA!”

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Don is here to help!

Don is one of our great front desk staff ready to sign you up for a summer program.  Stop by at our Front Desk at the Main Y.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Closed Memorial Day; New Summer hours

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA announced that its main facility, gymnastics center, day care center, and programs are closed on Monday, May 30, 2011 for the US observance of Memorial Day.


The main facility located at 3000 Racquet Club Drive, just south of Airport Road, in Traverse City, will be open again on Tuesday, May 31 and begin its summer hours. The Y now will be open Monday – Friday from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday from 8:00 am to noon, and closed on Sundays. These hours are effective from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year.

More information about the YMCA’s 65 or more programs can be found at the organization’s website at www.gtbayymca.org. The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community. Come join us!

Calling all Y Program Youth!


Come join us. Download this form by clicking here and send it to the Y
or email us at info@gtbayymca.org

Camp Signup Night on June 3. Come and recieve discount!

Spring is here, school is almost over and the YMCA Summer Day Camp wants you! We are offering a second "Last Chance" Registration Night on June 3, 6 pm - 8 pm, 3000 Racquet Club Dr, Traverse City. Bring your family in for a night of pizza on us and challenge each other to a game of tennis or racquetball. Our camp theme this year is “For fun, friends, 40 acres and 4 - Core Values.” We offer camps for children age 3 ½ years to grade 9.


Admission to this event is FREE.

For more information contact Katie Winslow, Day Camp Supervisor, Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, 3000 Racquet Club Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684 or 231.933.9622, camp@gtbayymca.org , http://www.gtbayymca.org/ , or our Facebook or Twitter pages.

The Y: We're for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“It’s more than just a membership … It’s the YMCA!”

Friday, May 20, 2011

Adult Recreational Soccer


Call Barb Beckett at 933-9622 for more information or

Click on picture to enlarge it.

E-newsletter for May 20 2011

Click here for the most recent e-newsletter sent out by the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA.

Pickelball at Y
Picture by John Russell

Thursday, May 19, 2011

New Y Campaign Video

Click here to see the New Y Campaign Video.

Concept picture from above Silver Lake Road, Garfield Twp, Michigan

Click here to make a donation.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Updated information!

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Summer Program Brochure has been updated. Click here to see!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Y BEACH VOLLEYBALL SKILLS

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA is proud to offer beach volley-ball. This program is for people in grades 5 - 7. This program is a great way for players to further develop their volleyball skills. Each practice will include: ball control, game strategy, team play, a strong emphasis on fundamental skills, and strength and conditioning.

Location: YMCA Main Facility

Dates/Sessions: Wednesdays, June 15 - July 20 (6 weeks)
Times: 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Registration Deadline: June 8

Y Member Fee: $25

Non-member fee: $60
 

Y KINDERKICKERS

For boys and girls in preschool, 3 - 5 year olds. Learn the basics of soccer in a non-competitive, fun, and supporting atmosphere. Safety, skills, and teamwork are the focus. Class meets outdoors unless weather demands a move inside. Parents are encouraged to get involved in class exercises.

Location: YMCA Main Facility

Dates/Sessions: Wednesdays, June 15 - July 20 (6 weeks)

Times: 4:30 - 5:30 pm

Registration Deadline: June 8

Y Member Fee: $25

Non-member fee: $60
 
More information, Click here

Youth Soccer on New Y Meijer Fields

Y Basketball Skills - Grades 1 - 4

Y BASKETBALL SKILLS PROGRAM

GRADES 1-4

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.

Registration Deadline: June 8

Season: Wednesdays, June 15 - July 20

Location: Y Main Facility, 3000 Racquet Club Drive, TC

Y Member Fee: $25

Non-Member Fee: $60
 
More information at: click here
 

Monday, May 16, 2011

SUMMER DAY CAMP REGISTRATION NIGHT

Spring is here, school is almost over and the YMCA Summer Day Camp wants you! Register your child before May 27th and we will waive the $25 registration fee!

We are offering a second "Last Chance" Registration Night on May 27th, 6 pm - 8 pm, 3000 Racquet Club Dr, Traverse City. Bring your family in for a night of pizza on us and challenge each other to a game of tennis or racquetball. Our camp theme this year is “For fun, friends, 40 acres and 4 - Core Values.” We have camps for children age 3 1/2 years to grade 9.

Admission to this event is FREE.

For more information contact Katie Winslow, Day Camp Supervisor, Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, 3000 Racquet Club Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684 or 231.933.9622, camp@gtbayymca.org , http://www.gtbayymca.org/  , or our Facebook or Twitter pages.

The Y: We're for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

KLEIN WINS STATE

Just one week after the YMCA Level 6 girls gymnastics team brought home three state championship gold medals, Sierra Klein led the YMCA’s Level 5 team with a gold medal bars performance.

Klein also placed sixth in the state on vault and eighth on both beam and all around to lead the Level 5 team with four medals.

Annemarie Jenkins came within a quarter of a point of a state championship of her own on bars, taking the second place silver medal on that event along with a third place finish on vault and a fourth place finish all around.

Kayla Brady, Darby Drake and Jade Turner also competed for the YMCA team, qualifying for the National Division, the highest Level 5 division, in their first year competing at the state meet. Drake tied for sixth on vault, Turner placed tenth on beam, ninth on bars, and tied for tenth on floor, while Brady tied for tenth place on vault and beam.

The YMCA’s Level 7 team closes out their season as they compete in their state meet to be held in Kalamazoo this weekend.

For more information or to register for Y Gymnastics, contact gym supervisor Betsy Van Deinse at 929-2869 or visit http://www.gtbayymca.org/.

Level 5 team. left to right: Annemarie Jenkins, Jade Turner, Darby Drake, Kayla Brady and Sierra Klein



Sierra Klein level 5 state bars champion.



Thursday, May 12, 2011

Tickets still available!

Tickets are still available for the Janet Evans event at the State Theatre for the benefit of the New YMCA!
Buy many at http://prod1.agileticketing.net/WebSales/pages/ticketsearchcriteria.aspx?&evtinfo=34503~604A3379-B8A2-4F0F-8EF9-FE12F3C2DD76&

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Tennis Anyone?

Spring and Summer are the ideal time to learn tennis at the Y. Click here for more information http://bit.ly/j5dBbt


Sign up for Y Gymnastics Now!

Sign up for Y Spring and Summer Gymnastics. http://bit.ly/kyx4tQ

Friday, May 6, 2011

Y TEEN DANCE

During the school year our monthly Y Teen Dance for grades 6 – 8 will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 7 pm – 10 pm. The dance will be held at the YMCA’s main facility at 3000 Racquet Club Drive, just south of South Airport Road, in Traverse City.

If you are not one of the 300 teens that regularly attend our Teen Dance events, you are missing out! Here's a great opportunity to get together with old friends, or meet tons of new ones, on a Saturday night.

Dance to the tunes of a professional DJ, shoot hoops, or play table games. Come socialize with hundreds of your friends and have a great time! Don't miss it!

Over 300 people attend our monthly teen dances!
Parents always welcome to chaperone.

Admission is $8.00 with student ID. Identification, proper attire, and conduct are required. YMCA members are free. Next dance will be held on August 5 (with no dances in June and July).

For more information at adult volunteer opportunities contact Katie Winslow at camp@gtbayymca.org or 231-933-9622. The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA website is located at www.gtbayymca.org and has a Facebook page and Twitter account.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Summer Camp Sign-up, Friday 5/6 - 6 pm. Save $25. Food provided.

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA hosts its last in a series of Family Night’s for the school year in May.

On Friday, May 6, the family night will also be a Summer Day Camp Registration Night to allow parents to sign up their children for camp. There is going to be 12 weeks of camp beginning June 13 for ages 3 ½ to grade 9. These include age appropriate activities both indoors and outdoors. Our camps provide fun, friends, 40 acres of woods and based on the Y 4-core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. The registration fee of $25 will be waved this night if parents register.


Besides camp sign-up we will have the facility and food for families. The family night begins at 6 pm at the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA main facility at 3000 Racquet Club Drive just south of S. Airport Road.


Our next family night will be on Friday, May 20, 6:00 pm at the Y Early Childhood Center, 1100 Woodmere STE B in Traverse City.

More information is available at our website at www.gtbayymca.org or Katie Winslow, camp supervisor at 231-933-9622.

Y Seeks Marketing Intern

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA is seeking a Marketing and Media Intern to further expand our presence on the web as a mechanism to communicate to our members and friends. This internship is based at our main facility at 3000 Racquet Club Dr, Traverse City. Intern must be a creative writer, fluent in English and grammar, fluent in current technology of communication including Facebook, Twitter, Internet, etc. Intern will help to implement electronic newsletters to various YMCA constituencies. Intern will write profiles, news releases, and update various on-line media. Content will vary as with all of our 65 different programs. Experience in layout, design, and digital photography a plus.

Intern will feel comfortable to work in both classical media and forms of communication as driven the new technology. Intern must interact with a variety of people in a professional manner and represent YMCA mission, values, and vision at all times.

Click here for full description


Campaign Newsletter

The New Y Capital Campaign Newsletter is available for download at : http://bit.ly/kX5SK2

Picture of cover below:

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Y fitness classes

Current Grand Traverse Bay YMCA fitness class schedule can be found here: http://bit.ly/ja0Y0F

More information at http://www.gtbayymca.org/

YMCA Pop Warner Football

First Published in the Grand Traverse Insider – Sunday, May 1, 2011


YMCA Pop Warner Football
By Barb Beckett – YMCA All Sports Program Director

It’s hard to believe that in a couple of months, YMCA Pop Warner Football will officially begin its 16th season! It seems like yesterday that our youth tackle football program had its humble beginnings with just 10 teams and 120 kids. The growth has been phenomenal, as we now have close to 90 football teams, 30 cheer squads, over 200 coaches and over 2000 participants. Thirty (30) different cities throughout northern Michigan now participate. It just keeps growing and growing each year!

The objectives were very simple when forming this league. The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA and area high school coaches wanted to provide a safe, positive, and enjoyable introduction to youth tackle football. We wanted to teach the fundamental skills and strategies, all while keeping it as simple as possible. Instilling the players with the “Team” concepts and values, and working with players to develop positive values such as caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, discipline, and pride were top priorities as well.

The YMCA Pop Warner Football program currently offers two divisions in which a child can compete. The Junior Peewee Division is aimed at ages 8-10 with a weight between 60-105 pounds. 11 year olds may participate in this division if they weigh no more than 85 pounds. The Junior Midget Division is aimed at ages 10-12 with a weight between 85-135 pounds. 13 year olds may play, but may not weigh more than 115 pounds. August 1st is the cutoff date when determining a players age for the playing season.

The season parallels the high school season and runs from August to October, with each team playing 7 games, all on Saturdays. Practices are held throughout the week before the season begins and again on weekdays before playing on Saturdays. The league has a travel format and was designed to mimic the “high school” game experience, with teams travelling to other cities to participate in big game day festivities.

The 30 cities presently offering this program are Bellaire, Benzie, Boyne City, Cadillac, Central Lake, Charlevoix, East Jordan, Elk Rapids, Evart, Forest Area, Frankfort, Glen Lake, Harbor Springs, Kalkaska, Kingsley, Lake City, Ludington, Mancelona, Manistee, Manton, Marion, McBain, Mesick, Onekama, Pellston, Petoskey, Pine River, Scottville, Suttons Bay, and Traverse City. The administrative body for all of these cities is the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA in Traverse City.

A cheer program is offered in many of these cities, as well. Each week at the games, you will see large numbers of cheerleaders on the sidelines rooting for their teams.

Each association is presently doing signups. For the Traverse City association, please check out their website at http://www.tcyouthfootball.org/

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Beckett at the YMCA at 231-933-9622, or go to http://www.ymcafootball.com/  or check the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA site at http://www.gtbayymca.org/ .

YMCA Gymnasts Win State Titles

Left to right: Olivia Flores, Rachel Ovalle, Kayla Jackson, Amy Davis, Samantha Neddo

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Level 6 girls gymnastics team won a total of 20 medals at their state meet held this past weekend at Traverse City West High School. Among the medals were first place gold awards to Olivia Flores on bars and floor and a first place gold medal on floor for Amy Davis.

The YMCA’s team placed fifth all-around with a combined score of 110.725.

Kayla Jackson once again led the YMCA team with a 37.075 second place all around finish behind a second place bars performance, a third place beam routine, and medals for 8th and 9th place on vault and bars. Olivia Flores was in contention for the state crown in her age division with her two first place gold performances and a third place vault, but with a fall on beam she had to settle for third place all around.

Rachel Ovalle’s third place vault and sixth place bars helped her take eighth place all around, and Samantha Neddo placed fourth all around behind Flores with a third place bars score, fourth place medals on beam and floor, and a fifth place vault.

“To bring home three gold medals at state and individual all around awards for second, third and fourth place was awesome,” said coach Jennifer Van Deinse, adding, “I was so proud of Amy for coming back from her mid-season injury to win floor at state, and so proud of Sam [Neddo] for her top five scores on every event, and so proud of Kayla for her best bars performance of the season. Rachel [Ovalle] performed solidly for us all year, and her score helped us secure firth place. Olivia [Flores] was just one fall away from a state all around championship. All the girls did great.”

The YMCA’s Level 5 team competes next at their state meet May 7 – 8 in Freeland. The Level 7 state meet will be held May 14 – 15 in Kalamazoo. For more information about Y gymnastics, visit http://www.gtbayymca.org/ , or call Y Gymnastics supervisor Betsy Van Deinse at 929-2869.