YMCA News Archive

Twin Cities Y's 'Get Outdoors' promotes nature to help cure modern-day maladies

jeffrey.needham — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Twin Cities Y's 'Get Outdoors' promotes nature to help cure modern-day maladies jeffrey.needham Fri, 08/17/2018 - 00:00

The children listen to a five-minute lesson on casting. Then, they’re handed a fishing pole and set loose along the riverbank.

For many, it’s their first time fishing and dipping a hand into the Mississippi River at Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul.

Throughout the day, they’ll skip stones across the water, bird-watch and hike. A park ranger will explain that they’re playing in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a national park in the same league as Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon.

Time outside in nature is an age-old salve for many modern-day maladies, including anxiety, depression, lethargy and weight gain. But it’s happening less and less as screen time replaces playtime for all ages, experts said.

That’s why the YMCA of the North has launched “Get Outdoors” — a year-round nature initiative that’s aimed at all demographics: kids, adults, seniors, city dwellers and suburbanites.

“We know nature is a prescription for health,” said Michel Tigan, Y Camp Icaghowan executive director in Amery, Wis. “There is a need to literally breath fresh air and see the sun.”

The Y is making sure that fresh-air opportunities are plentiful across the region. In Minneapolis, hourlong workout classes are held outside in the heart of downtown, including on the new rooftop at the Dayton YMCA.

In St. Paul, the Y and the city of St. Paul hosted for the second summer mobile day camps for hundreds of city kids at Hidden Hills and Lake Phalen.

In addition, the Y is expanding and highlighting their family camp offerings to get kids and parents paddling, swimming and playing together. They’ve opened up their scenic overnight camps to Y members for day hikes throughout the year.

The YMCA also acquired CycleHealth in 2017, which offers seasonal fitness challenges, motivational programs and adventure races for kids, and encourages pediatricians to write “Sweat Rx” prescriptions to inspire kids to get active. More than 700 kids will participate in CycleHealth’s BreakAway Kids Triathlon Aug. 18 at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove.

Nature deficit

The Y’s CEO Glen Gunderson said he and other staffers read the book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder,” and it inspired them to do even more to get people outdoors. Author Richard Louv ties together studies that find time in nature is critical for a child’s physical and emotional development.

“Having access to nature and providing meaningful outdoor experiences away from TV and computer screens decreases stress, improves overall health and helps youth build confidence and make new friends,” Gunderson said.

A slew of studies support the benefits of outdoor time and its decline among today’s youth, who are spending more time in front of screens. A recent study out of the United Kingdom found that children spend four hours a week playing outside, which is half the time their parents did. Another study pointed out that prison inmates often spend more time outdoors than American children.

Health expert and researcher Leyla McCurdy ticks off a list of diseases often associated with aging, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease, that are on the rise in children due to more sedentary, indoor lifestyles.

“Kids are losing contact with the natural environment and missing key opportunities for physical activity, stress reduction, attention restoration and healthy development,” said McCurdy, during a podcast for the National Institute for Health.

The best way to heal this epidemic is time in nature, said McCurdy, who co-founded the Building Healthy Communities Committee at the American Public Health Association.

Unplug and relax

A growing number of parents are getting the message. Camp Icaghowan, which holds overnight family camp every Memorial Day weekend, is seeing interest climb as some parents become more intentional about planning outdoor time. The Y also has started hosting family days at its day camps to offer a more abbreviated nature experience.

At Camp Icaghowan — located on a 44-acre island in Lake Wapogasset — kids and parents hike, kayak and swim. They take part in organized games, crafts and campfire singalongs but nothing is required — and that’s the point.

Each family is assigned their own cabin in the woods. The calls of songbirds, the drumming of woodpeckers and the lapping of the water on the shoreline make up the soundtrack of camp.
Families are encouraged to set aside the smartphones, look up and enjoy the canopy of trees and the sun setting over the lake.

A whitetail deer and her newborn fawn are spotted trotting along the shoreline. Campers are encouraged to explore two treehouses on the island and can even sign up to stay overnight there.

Kids spend time with camp counselors, who introduce them to target sports and paddleboarding.

“We are reteaching this generation of helicopter parents its OK to foster independence,” Tigan said. “From that independence, children learn resilience.”

Dave Weiman first attended Camp Icaghowan in 1960 at age 9.

“I did not have a father that was able to do a lot of recreational things with me. The YMCA filled a very important gap there for me,” he said.

He was a regular every summer and later joined the staff. He took his wife, Peggy, and their children to family camp. This year, Weiman brought his 9-year-old grandson and the boy’s parents to family camp for the first time. Weiman said the time in nature is more important than ever for this new generation.

“Everyone is on their iPhones. We need to get kids out more for sports and recreation and social contact — interaction with others in groups settings,” he said.

The Weiman clan kayaked, tried their hand at watercolor painting and tie-dyeing. The highlight was when Weiman’s grandson reeled in a few fish from the shore.

Seeing nature anew

Back at Hidden Falls, National Park Service rangers Karen Katz and Abby Olson lead the children on a hike to the Falls that gave the parks its name. Each child is handed binoculars to use during the hike.

“Binoculars are awesome for seeing things far away, especially birds and butterflies,” Katz said.

Five minutes down the path, the group stops to focus in on a redstart. It’s a common Minnesota songbird but it’s thrilling to see it up close.

“This is an opportunity to give them a little independence — expose them, let them play and experiment and ask for help when the need it,” said Michelle Kelly, education specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, as she helped children fish at Hidden Falls.

Best of all, as one Y staffer pointed out, “They don’t realize they haven’t touched a screen all day.”

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YMCA to host shoe drives to fund food shelves

jeffrey.needham — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 05:00:00 +0000

YMCA to host shoe drives to fund food shelves jeffrey.needham Thu, 08/16/2018 - 00:00

The YMCA of the North, in partnership with Good in the ‘Hood and its ‘Shoe Away Hunger’ campaign, is hosting a shoe collection drive until Aug. 26 to raise money for local hunger relief.
Shoes will be collected at every Twin Cities YMCA location and then made available for a suggested $5 donation at shoe drive events. Shoes will travel in what the YMCA calls a “shoe bus” to events which will feature shoe sales and pop-up food shelves.

Pop-up food shelves will make it easier for some families to get food, with an emphasis on fresh produce, Senior Program Director for YMCA Neighborhood Centers Kate Whitby said. Pop-up food shelf events will take place the third Thursday of every month for the foreseeable future.

Money raised will go toward providing hunger relief for many of the communities the YMCA serves.

The first shoe bus event is scheduled for 3 and 5 p.m. Thursday at Maple Ponds Homes in Maplewood.

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Healthy fun at the MN State Fair

jeffrey.needham — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Healthy fun at the MN State Fair jeffrey.needham Wed, 08/15/2018 - 00:00

Some have jokingly referred to the Minnesota State Fair as the Great MN Eat-Together, a caloric plunge into stuff that isn't good for you.

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YMCA Announces Early Childhood Learning Center Opening in Lakeville on September 24

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 16:10:52 +0000

YMCA Announces Early Childhood Learning Center Opening in Lakeville on September 24 jeffrey.needham Tue, 08/14/2018 - 11:10

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, recently announced a new Early Childhood Learning Center will be opening in Lakeville on September 24.

This new Early Childhood Learning Center, located on 16331 Kenrick Avenue in Lakeville, MN, will serve 150 children in the south metro community. There are currently 10 other Y Early Childhood Learning Centers in the greater Twin Cities where 98 percent of graduating YMCA Preschool & Pre-K students surpass local school district Kindergarten readiness requirements.

“We are excited to be opening an Early Childhood Learning Center that will support families in Lakeville and surrounding communities,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “Children are the future and the YMCA is committed to investing in them by providing experiences that help youth grow and develop into confident, caring, happy and healthy individuals.”

Gunderson added that the YMCA Early Childhood Learning programs are rooted in the YMCA way. From those basic values comes a child care experience designed to develop a child’s potential through creative, intellectual, emotional, social and physical skills while they grow. They Y’s Learn Through Play is based on children learning a lot through interaction and exploration because playing is learning. For example, tea time builds organizational skills, playing with blocks teaches innovation and so on.

The Y’s early childhood learning programs, which have earned national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and 4 Star Aware and licensed by the State of Minnesota, give kids the chance to explore freely through:

sensory activities that help with math and science comprehension
arts and humanities projects that develop fine motor skills
physical activities and nutritious food to encourage healthy habits
swimming and water safety classes in a safe aquatic environment
enrichment opportunities, including music & movement classes and an introduction to languages like Spanish or American Sign Language

These activities help to develop skills like critical thinking, communication and creativity. The Y offers a warm and welcoming environment in which every child can thrive. Most importantly, children have a place to grow with the guidance of caring adults while their parents are at work.

Early enrollment is available through October 1, 2018. Families who choose early enrollment will be able to sign up for a free, six-month YMCA membership or $775 in Y Bucks, program “dollars” that can be used toward a wide variety of fee-based classes and programs designed to support healthy habits that will make a difference for the entire family. Some restrictions apply. The YMCA offers financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition for child care. YMCA membership is not required to enroll. To enroll, go to ymcamn.org/lakevilleeclc, or call 651-728-5344.

Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to attend open houses to see the new child care center, meet the teachers and learn more about the program. Open Houses will be:

Thursday, August 30 at 4-6 p.m.
Monday, September 10 at 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, September 15 at 10 a.m.-Noon
Wednesday, September 19 at 4-6 p.m.

Dates may be subject to change. Check the website ymcamn.org/lakevilleeclc for up-to-date information.

About the YMCA of the North

The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 162 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across 12 counties of the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 28 Y locations and program sites, seven overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 350,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcamn.org.

YMCA CycleHealth Hosts Annual BreakAway Kids Tri on August 18

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 16:29:55 +0000

YMCA CycleHealth Hosts Annual BreakAway Kids Tri on August 18 jeffrey.needham Mon, 08/13/2018 - 11:29

Maple Grove, MN – CycleHealth, a division of the YMCA of the North which is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host its annual BreakAway Kids Tri on Saturday, August 18 at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove.

For the first time, kids have a shorter life expectancy than their parents due to factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and declining participation in organized sports. Local pediatricians in more than 50 clinics are collaborating with CycleHealth to change this trend by prescribing fun, unique activities, including the BreakAway Kids Tri. Two course distances are offered so kids of all abilities can swim, bike and run to the finish line. Both courses feature fun obstacles, including a bubble machine and a giant slip and slide, along the way.

"It's great to prescribe something fun and healthy rather than medication when working with youth on their wellbeing,” said Dr. Tracy Hall of South Lake Pediatrics. “Kids love CycleHealth events and families are energized to be healthier together.”

“The YMCA and CycleHealth are proud to work with community partners to provide unique wellness opportunities for kids,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the Y. “When we empower young people to develop healthy habits early, we set them up for future success.”

WHO:
YMCA of the North CycleHealth and the Three River Parks District

WHAT:
BreakAway Kids Tri by CycleHealth

WHERE:
Elm Creek Park Reserve at 12400 James Deane Parkway in Maple Grove, MN 55369

WHEN:
Saturday, August 18, 2017 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Racing begins at 9:00 a.m. and finishes around 10:45 a.m.

About the YMCA of the North

YMCA Partners with Good in the ‘Hood to Shoe Away Hunger across the Twin Cities

jeffrey.needham — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 15:01:41 +0000

YMCA Partners with Good in the ‘Hood to Shoe Away Hunger across the Twin Cities jeffrey.needham Fri, 08/10/2018 - 10:01

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is partnering with Good in the ‘Hood and its Shoe Away Hunger program to host a shoe collection drive at all 25 YMCA locations across the Twin Cities to raise money for pop-up food shelves throughout the year.

Across the U.S. 15 percent of households face food insecurity and households with children are 21 percent more likely to have less access to food. Good in the ‘Hood is a non-profit organization that provides emergency food and quality shoes to more than 4,000 recipients each month. The YMCA will collect shoes at every YMCA location across the Twin Cities and will make them available for a suggested $5.00 donation at various shoe bus events hosted by Good in the ‘Hood, starting August 13 through August 26, and continuing throughout the remainder of the year.

Proceeds from the shoe events will provide hunger relief to many of the communities the Y serves. The first shoe event and third pop-up food shelf is Thursday, August 16 at the Maple Ponds Homes YMCA Neighborhood Center at 1854 Beebe Rd. in Maplewood, MN 55109.

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with the YMCA for our Shoe Away Hunger program to eliminate local hunger and provide quality shoes at an affordable price for those in need,” said Rev. Shawn Morrison, executive director for Good in the ‘Hood. “We hope our community will rally together by donating their shoes. Together we can feed the community one sole at a time.”

“The YMCA is committed to providing services and resources to everyone in our communities and we are excited to partner with Good in the ‘Hood to serve even more people across the Twin Cities,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “Shoe Away Hunger is an innovative initiative that provides an opportunity for members of our community to give back and provide resources to those in need.”

WHO:
YMCA of the North and Good in the ‘Hood

WHAT:
Shoe Away Hunger Shoe Collection Drive

WHERE:
All YMCA of the North locations

WHEN:
Monday, August 13 – Sunday, August 26
First bus shoe sale and third food shelf will be on Thursday, August 16 at 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Maple Ponds Homes, 1854 Beebe Rd Maplewood, MN 55109.

About Good in the ‘Hood:

Good in the ‘Hood is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to influencing, inspiring and impacting individuals, families and entire communities for GOOD. We believe that consistent and intentional acts of kindness have the power to shape and ultimately benefit an entire neighbor’HOOD for GOOD. Our desire is to inspire individuals, families and entire neighborhoods to take responsibility and ownership for the growth, improvement and well-being of their personal lives and community. Through partnerships and kindness-based initiatives we believe the physical, emotional and spiritual climate of an entire community can be changed for good. Since our inception in 2003, we have continued to expand our efforts to provide effective support for those that are economically vulnerable or encountering difficult circumstances.

About the YMCA of the North

West St. Paul YMCA to stay open longer than anticipated

jeffrey.needham — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 05:00:00 +0000

West St. Paul YMCA to stay open longer than anticipated jeffrey.needham Fri, 08/10/2018 - 00:00

The YMCA of the North said Friday it will keep its West St. Paul location open through the middle of 2019 as a national retailer interested in the property continues its due diligence and the Y nails down a new site.

The YMCA had previously anticipated moving West St. Paul members to a temporary location by the end of this year while it built a new location.

Last December, the national retailer entered into an agreement with the YMCA to buy its 10-acre site on Thompson Avenue just east of South Robert Street. The agreement is contingent on the retailer determining the site meets its needs and the Y finding a new location.

“We anticipate that we will hear a decision from the national retailer in December 2018,” said spokeswoman Joan Schimml, adding she cannot name the retailer, per terms of the agreement.

The YMCA has not yet finalized where its new permanent location will be, Schimml said, adding that it will be in “our current service area and will be built to reflect the needs of this community.”

The West St. Paul branch, at 150 Thompson Ave. E., serves about 7,000 members. A Y study concluded that — compared with other suburban sites — the building was outdated and not big enough to serve the community’s long-term needs.

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YMCA Prepares Children for Kindergarten at Early Childhood Learning Centers

jeffrey.needham — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 18:10:43 +0000

YMCA Prepares Children for Kindergarten at Early Childhood Learning Centers jeffrey.needham Thu, 08/09/2018 - 13:10

At YMCA Early Childhood Learning Centers (ECLC), 98 percent of students with at least one year at Y ECLCs surpass school district kindergarten readiness requirements.
Research shows cognitive flexibility scores were lower, on average, for children who had no regular early care and education arrangements the year before kindergarten and for those whose primary arrangements were home-based relative care than for children who primarily attended center-based care.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength and it is through play that children, at a very early age, engage and interact in the world around them.

The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, prepares children for kindergarten through the learning through play teaching method at its Early Childhood Learning Centers.

Research shows children who primarily attended day care, preschool and other types of center-based care in the year before kindergarten earned higher scores in math and reading and had stronger learning and cognitive flexibility skills than their peers who had no such early care and education arrangements. YMCA Early Childhood Learning Centers provide quality, affordable and nurturing full-day childcare and education for children age six weeks to five years, focusing on developing their intellectual, social, emotional and physical skills. At Y Early Childhood Learning Centers (ECLC), 98 percent of students with at least one year at Y ECLC’s surpass school district kindergarten readiness requirements.

“The Y is committed to preparing every child for kindergarten and letting them explore their world and learn through play,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA for the Greater Twin Cities. “Our team of child care experts meet the needs of every child to ensure they thrive in their next stage of life.”

Gunderson added that the YMCA Early Childhood Learning programs are rooted in the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. From those basic values comes a childcare experience designed to develop a child’s potential through creative, intellectual, emotional, social and physical skills while they grow. The Y’s Learning Through Play method is based on children learning through interaction and exploration because playing is learning.

Young children learn best through play and interaction. The Y uses The Creative Curriculum ® as the learning foundation to create the best programs with purposeful educational activities designed to:

Stimulate critical thinking skills
Develop creativity
Enhance learning
Develop language skills
Develop problem-solving skills
Develop communication effectiveness

The Y’s Early Childhood Learning programs, which have earned national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is 4 Star Parent Aware and licensed by the State of Minnesota, give kids the chance to explore freely through:

sensory activities that help with math and science comprehension
arts and humanities projects that develop fine motor skills
physical activities and nutritious food to encourage healthy habits
swimming and water safety classes in a safe aquatic environment
enrichment opportunities, including music & movement classes and an introduction to languages like Spanish or American Sign Language

Discover how children at YMCA Early Childhood Learning Centers explore their world in learn through play – Learn Through Play

Watch 4 year-old Raelynne discover her world through play at YMCA Early Childhood Learning Centers – Raelynne’s Story

Experience YMCA Early Childhood Learning Centers - Children Learn Through Play

Learn more about YMCA Early Childhood Learning Centers - Play Helps Children Prepare for School Success.

There are currently 10 YMCA Early Childhood Learning Centers and the Y is opening two new centers in Lakeville and Rochester. Registration for the Lakeville Early Childhood Learning Center is open.

Because the YMCA is a leading nonprofit committed to helping all young people and their families thrive, financial assistance is available to those in need. To learn more about the Y’s programs, please visit ymcamn.org.

YMCA Offers Summer Camp To Help Curb Screen Time For Kids

jeffrey.needham — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 05:00:00 +0000

YMCA Offers Summer Camp To Help Curb Screen Time For Kids jeffrey.needham Thu, 08/09/2018 - 00:00

The YMCA of the North is using “pop-up camps” to help connect kids with nature.

The Y partnered with the city of St. Paul and the National Park Service to sponsor 180 campers from underserved communities. The Y hopes this outdoor experience will help keep kids away from TV and computer screens.

For 10-year-old Francis McLane, skipping rocks has become one of his favorite things to do.

“Just to see how far you can do it and you know how good you are,” McLane said.
Francis is one of 180 kids experiencing nature as part of the Y’s push to get outdoors.

“We’re connecting kids to nearby nature to time outdoors in local parks to prove you don’t have to leave the city to enjoy nature,” YMCA camp and outreach director Niall Murton said.

At Hidden Falls Regional Park, campers get to play games like gaga ball and 9-Square in the Air. They are also drumming up the courage to try the rock climbing wall.

Camp would also not be complete without a nice hike along the trails and a camp fire complete with s’mores.

“A lot of our studies show our kids are spending about seven and a half hours a day on screens–be it tablets, phones, TV screens,” Murton said. “So we want to connect those kids to the outdoors.”

“I think it’s fun to meet new kids and to play with them this whole week,” McLane said.

Some of these kids have never been to camp and may live in the urban core of St. Paul. The Y removed barriers such as transportation and cost to make sure all kids have access.

“Our hope is that they are going to come back with their families,” Murton said.

The Y is looking for ways to continue making it possible for kids to experience the outdoors all year round.

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YMCA Camp Ihduhapi encourages kids to put down their phones

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 05:00:00 +0000

YMCA Camp Ihduhapi encourages kids to put down their phones jeffrey.needham Tue, 08/07/2018 - 00:00

KARE 11's Kiya Edwards checked out the YMCA's Camp Ihduhapi, which aims to help kids keep up academic skills and get outside.

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