The Y Recognizes National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

From http://www.ymca.net/


The Y Recognizes National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

YMCA of the USA joins the ‘Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures’ Initiative to reduce childhood obesity

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 27, 2010) – YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the nation’s 2,687 Ys, joins more than 70 national organizations to lead a community response to childhood obesity, during National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Earlier this year, a resolution was unanimously passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate designating September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, to bring attention to this growing epidemic in the United States and call Americans to action. The theme for the month is Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures.

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in America. An estimated 23 million children and teenagers ages two to 19 are obese or overweight. That rate has tripled in the past 30 years. For the first time in history, children may have shorter lifespan expectancies than their parents.

Every day, Ys work with children, families, and with leaders from all sectors of the community to find innovative solutions to help individuals and families make healthier choices. Working with the Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures initiative, the Y will be able to extend its work to turn the tide of childhood obesity.

“Obesity places our nation’s youth at risk for heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions that they shouldn’t have to worry about,” said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “We must work together across all sectors of our communities to create solutions that will help our kids adopt and maintain healthy behaviors throughout their lives. We applaud Congress for making September National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and are proud to support the Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures initiative.”

The Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures initiative educates and empowers families and youth to live healthy lifestyles, eat nutritious food and be physically active. Throughout the month of September, organizations around the United States will plan and carry out activities that build awareness about and encourage action on childhood obesity.

The initiative’s Web site, http://www.healthierkidsbrighterfutures.org/ , provides information, Web links and tools to promote and celebrate September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. The Y’s Healthy Family Home, which provides free resources devoted to helping families adopt healthy behaviors, will also be featured on the initiative’s web site.

The Y’s Healthier Communities Initiatives include efforts to combat childhood obesity including, facilitating community partnerships to influence policy and environmental changes that increase access to clean and safe parks and recreational facilities so that more kids can have the opportunity to participate in physical activity, reduce health disparities, and increase access to fruits and vegetables in underserved areas through making community gardens and farmers' markets more accessible.

The public and private sector, communities and thought leaders, including First Lady Michelle Obama, are championing a range of efforts to improve child wellness in America. The Y invites you to join them in empowering Healthier Kids for a Brighter Future. For additional information on how families can work together to life healthier lives, visit www.healthyfamilyhome.org. For more information on the 2010 National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, visit http://www.healthierkidsbrighterfutures.org/ .

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About YMCA of the USA
YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the Y, one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. YMCA of the USA is a member of the World Alliance of YMCAs. ymca.net

Contact: Mamie Moore
YMCA of the USA
312.419.8325
mamie.moore@ymca.net

Registration Deadlines at the Y Fall 2010

Registration deadlines for Fall YMCA Programs


Continuous Y Membership

Continuous Noon Drop-in Adult Basketball

Continuous Pickleball at the Y

Continuous New Y donations

Continuous Y Child Care

Continuous School’s Out Program

Continuous Y Kindergarten Enrichment

Continuous Birthday Parties at Y and Y Gymnastics

Check Family Fun Nights

Check Lacrosse League – Check with League

Check Pop Warner Football & Cheer League – Check with League

Check Leaders Club

Check Teen Dances

Check Youth in Government

Walk on Seven Fitness Classes

Aug 27 Men’s and Coed Fall Softball Leagues

Aug 27 Y Youth Soccer Leagues

Sept 6 Women’s Basketball League

Sept 8 Fall Women’s Soccer Leagues (Walk on registration)

Sept 13 Adult and Youth Tennis Lessons, Leagues

Sept 13 Gymnastics – Fall 1

Sept 13 Y Flag Football

Sept 17 Basketball Skills: K -2

Sept 17 Basketball Skills: Grade 3

Sept 17 Basketball Skills: Grades 4 & %

Oct 11 Men’s Basketball League

Oct 25 Gymnastics – Fall 2

Oct 29 Fall Boys Basketball Leagues: Grades 3,4,5

Nov 1 Adult and Youth Tennis Lessons, Leagues

Dec 10 Holiday Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

Dec 31 Invest in Youth donations

Jan 7, 2011 Winter Girls Basketball Leagues: Grades 3,4,5

Jan 19 The Blizzard 5-on-5 Basketball Tournament

Mar 11 Midnight Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

Check =  Call 231-933-9622 for dates and offerings or our website at http://www.gtbayymca.org/

DAY CAMP PIZZA KIT PICKUP

DAY CAMP PIZZA KIT PICKUP


Friday, August 20, 2010 only from

11:00 am to 6:00 pm

We cannot keep items past 6:00 pm.

Call Katie Winslow at 933-9622 for more information.

Y Teen Dance on Saturday

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA sponsors monthly teen dances for grades 6 -8. This month's dance is on Saturday, August 21 from 7 - 10 pm. Music is DJ led with all the favorites.


Admission is free to YMCA members and $5 per person for the public. Identification is required for entry. Parents and volunteers are always welcomed to help with the dance. Dress and dancing code enforsed. Call (231) 421-3568 for more information.

Register Now for Fall Programs

Check out our website at http://www.gtbayymca.org/ for more information.

Pro Web Marketing Golf Drive for the Y

Check out this unique fun event and help support the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA.


http://www.charitytc.com/  is the web link for all information.


Golf Drive Fundraiser:


ProWeb Marketing Golf Drive Fundraiser to benefit the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA

Pro Web Marketing is holding a family oriented fund-raising event for the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA. Our objective is to give back to an organization that has been giving to the Traverse City area for years. The event will be a “Golf Drive” where golfers, community members and families come together for an evening of charitable fun. This will be held on August, 26, 2010 5:30 pm at the Traverse City Golf Center, 6270 Secor Road in Traverse City.

From a Pro Web Marketing staff person, buy a ball or donate on-line. Get your friends to pledge per yard of your drive at the event. Come to the event for fun and hitting your ball. Your pledgers automatically notified for their pledge, they donate, and the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Invest In Youth Appeal benefits. Registration is available at the event.

Invest in Youth provides scholarships and financial assistance to people to participate in YMCA programs and membership regardless of financial means.

All the information can be found at the website at http://www.charitytc.com/. Call ProWeb Marketing directly at 231-944-1421 or charity@prowebmarketing.com .

Y FALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Two men working out in one of our four fitness areas

The Grand Travers Bay YMCA announces its fall program offerings with registration now open. Activities and programs are offered at the Y’s three facilities and in gymnasiums and athletic fields throughout the region.

Some adult opportunities include: Noon-drop in basketball, women’s basketball league, men’s and co-ed softball leagues, pickleball, tennis leagues and lessons, seven fitness classes and use of our strength and cardio, free weights, aerobic studio, and circuit training areas at the Y’s Main Facility on Racquet Club Drive.

Some youth opportunities include: group tennis lessons, recreational and award winning competitive gymnastics program, pee wee sports, lacrosse skills and leagues, soccer, basketball skills, leagues, and tournaments, youth fitness, Youth WOW, flag football, Pop Warner Football and Cheer, Michigan Youth in Government, Leaders Club, and teen dances.

The Y has a licensed day care facility accommodating some 53 infants to preschoolers. We offer a School’s Out program when TCAPS schools are not in session. The Y also has a Kindergarten Enrichment Program for children in part-time kindergarten classes.

“Our over 65 programs provide a values-based alternative for people interested in building a healthy spirit, mind and body,” according to Tom Van Deinse, CEO. “Because we are a charity, we provide financial assistance for people of all ages to participate in our all programs. 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.”

For more information about all of the Y programs, visit our website at www.gtbayymca.org or call 933-YMCA (9622) to talk to one of our friendly staff members. Become one of our friends on our Facebook page.

Recyle Smart Kids Garage Sale

Field Trip to the Dunes!

Grand Traverse Bay Day Campers enjoy a field trip to the Dunes!

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA’s Y Child Care Center will have an open house on Thursday, August 12, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm. Members of the public—including parents, employers and staff, and friends of the YMCA—are invited to attend to tour the facility and find out about this values-based program.


From the outside of the Y Child Care Center on Woodmere in Traverse City looks like a big building. On the inside some 30 children experience an expansive facility and Judeo-Christian based child care and pre-school program curriculum that changes their lives.

“We have been fortunate to have 30 children experience our child care in the past year,” said Molly Brown, YMCA director of Y Child Care programs. “Our teachers are experienced child-care providers who incorporate the YMCA’s Christian values-based approach in care and teaching. The result is a fun, happy atmosphere where infants, toddlers and preschoolers can really thrive.”

The YMCA is the nation’s largest provider of day and child-care services in the country. Its family-centered philosophy is geared to the individual needs of children.

The Y Child Care Center is located in Traverse City at 1100 Woodmere, Suite B. The Center is fully licensed by the State of Michigan for 53 children, from newborns through pre-kindergarteners. Kindergarten enrichment and after-school programs for school-aged children are offered, as well. The facility is a 9,600 sq. ft. of space including a gymnasium. The Center is ideal for the care needs of working women. Scholarships are also available.

For more information on Y Child Care or to RSVP to the August 12 open house contact Molly Brown at 421-3568 or email her at childcare@gtbayymca.org. Detailed information is available at www.gtbayymca.org.

YMCA Seeks DJ For Teen Dances!

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA is seeking a disk jockey for its teen dances for the coming school year.
The DJ must have their own equipment; music must be teen friendly but clean; interactive, involvement, and variety of music in keeping with the YMCA’s core Judeo-Christian values.


Dances are the first Saturday of each month 7:00-10:00 pm; music must be ready at exactly 7:00 pm.


Teen Dances are for grade 6 – 8 and are for a fun time for just TEENS in a safe environment. We encourage positive dress code and behavior. Parents are always welcomed to chaperone.


DJ must be dependable and communicate with Director each month to discuss the dance themes and to incorporate music and/or interactive into the dancing times.


All interested should contact Molly Brown, Y Director of Teens at 231-421-3568 or molly@gtbayymca.org.

Y OFFERS BASKETBALL SKILLS PROGRAM

This well rounded skills program is where children learn this popular sport this fall in the context for the YMCA’s four core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Kids should bring a water bottle. Program held at YMCA Main Facility, 3000 Racquet Club Drive, Traverse City.



GRADES K – 2
Lots of fun for the little ones. No experience neces-sary. All equipment provided. We cover dribbling, basic rules, and how to work as a team. Class meets on Wednesdays for 6 weeks.

Registration Deadline: Sept 17

Season: Wednesdays , Sept 22 – Oct 27, 5 – 6 pm

Fee: $25 Y Members $45 Non-members



GRADE 3
This is a perfect way to learn the game. We run drills, play scrimmages, and have a lot of fun shoot-ing 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: Sept 17

Season: Wednesdays , Sept 22 – Oct 27, 6 – 7 pm

Fee: $25 Y Members $45 Non-members



GRADES 4 & 5

Half the class is spent on honing skills, and then we play a game. All equipment provided. This is a great way to prepare for the 4th/5th Leagues that start in January. Class meets on Thursdays for 6 weeks.

Registration Deadline: Sept 17

Season: Thursdays , Sept 23 – Oct 28, 5 - 6 pm

Fee: $25 Y Members $45 Non-members



Note for all programs: Late Registration Charge after deadline: $10



Find more information at http://www.gtbayymca.org/ or call 231-933-9622 and ask for Barb Beckett.

Fall Program Brochure

The new fall program brochure can be access by clicking:


http://www.gtbayymca.org/files/2010%20fall%20Brochure%20Final.pdf
(It is a large file. 6.7 meg.)

Fall Youth Soccer to Be Offered Again This Year

As originally published in the Grand Traverse Insider


The Grand Traverse Bay Y will be offering a youth soccer league again this fall. The season begins on Saturday, September 18th and is open to all boys and girls in grades K-12. The cost of the program is $25 for Y members and $50 for non-members. The registration deadline is Friday, August 27th.


The Y fall soccer league is a six week program that runs through Saturday, October 23rd. Each team will play 8 games during the course of the season. The divisions are formed by grade-level, and all divisions are co-ed. The main goals of Y youth sports are fun, fitness, and friendly competition for all participants.


Y Youth Sports Coordinator Bill Sparks comments on the upcoming soccer season. “Y soccer has become a real fall tradition in the Traverse City area. Thousands of area kids have participated in the program over the years.”


Sparks, who has also officiated Y soccer for over 20 seasons, goes on to say, “The Y soccer league is a perfect mix of fun and competition. It is great to see the kids in our program enjoy the sport of soccer, as well as develop and improve their fundamental skills of the game.”


One young man that has played Y soccer for several years is Tristen Roman. “I like playing sports, especially basketball and soccer,” comments Roman. Tristen is a student-athlete that will be attending Traverse City West Senior-High this fall as a freshman. “Playing soccer through the Y the past couple of years allowed me to play both sports in and out of season. We played and scrimmaged against a variety of teams without having to do a lot of traveling. This allowed me time to go to open gyms and continue playing soccer.”


Roman finishes by saying, “I was also able to play with some of my close friends and have fun playing the game. Playing Y soccer kept the game fun for me. I recommend it for anyone who wishes to play multiple sports and just loves the game.”


And kids of all ages enjoy Y soccer. Tristen’s younger sister Mikayla also participates in Y soccer. “I really liked playing soccer this year!” comments Mikayla, who will be going into 4th grade this coming school year. “I was able to be on a team with my friends and we had lots of fun!”


A major factor in the success of the Y soccer program is the role that the team coaches play. Our coaches donate their time on a volunteer basis. One of our coaches, Mr. Greg Bennett, shares some of his coaching experiences. “What I thought to be one season as a soccer coach has become eight years with many blessings. My family and I have made many friends through soccer and find ourselves looking forward to each season, a time to spend with our soccer friends and their families. I have developed many new skills throughout the years that have been helpful in my personal life. I also see the same in the kids. As their skills grow so does their confidence. Their spirit comes alive and there’s a glow about them. Often at practice I find myself running up and down the field just being a kid myself, challenging others and being challenged, often being teamed up on.” Mr. Bennett adds, “At the end of practice I find my biggest problem is getting the kids to go home. This leaves a coach feeling good inside. I have learned what not to do like never stand in the goal and talk to a parent, the team finds great pleasure in shooting at the coach, never start a grass fight with the team (not good for coach), also never argue with the referee, he is always right.”


Coach Bennett concludes by saying, “Coaching has been one of the best decisions I have made, it has made me a better person.”


And the new Y soccer fields on Silver Lake Road will be making their debut for the fall season! Bill Sparks looks forward to having games played at the new facility. “ We are excited about hosting soccer games on our new fields this fall. We will continue to play games at the other outstanding locations that we have used over the years, but the new Y fields will be a much welcomed addition to our program.”


If you would like more information about the Y fall soccer league, please feel free to call the Y at 933-9622. Y Youth Sports Coordinator Bill Sparks, or Y Program Director Barb Beckett would be glad to answer any questions that you may have about our program. You may also visit our website at www.gtbayymca.org for additional information.

Day Care Job Openings

Infant Teaching Assistant, 32+ hours, must be nurturing, flexible, dependable, and possess great communication skills, CPR and First Aid Training , infant experience required!


Teaching Assistants , part time for infant through PreK age groups; must be flexible, dependable, and experience working with children, CPR and First Aid Training.

Positions start ASAP!

Send resume to: Molly Brown, Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Child Care Center, 1100 Woodmere Ave STE B, Traverse City, MI 49686.

Applications available at:

Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, 3000 Racquet Club Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684

Y Seeks Soccer Intern

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA is seeking a soccer intern to aid the All Sports Director to implement the fall 2010 program.


This internship is based at our main facility at 3000 Racquet Club Dr, Traverse City. Must have a working knowledge of soccer and vocabulary. May be required to teach basics skill classes.

Must be able to work with all ages and skill levels. Refer to our website at www.gtbayymca.org for program offerings. Intern will assist the director in all aspects of the program including scheduling, volunteer management, athletic event preparation, field or court preparation and other duties. Computer skills a must!

Intern must interact with a variety of people in a professional manner and represent YMCA mission, values, and vision at all times. This is an uncompensated internship. Intern will be responsible for all arrangements for academic credit.

The hoped for start date would be September 7. Candidates are encouraged to send Letter of Interest, resume, and 3 references to Barb Beckett, Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, 3000 Racquet Club Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684. Contact Barb Beckett at email barbrady22@yahoo.com or 231-933-9622.