YMCA News Archive

Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and YMCA Offer Free Summer Memberships to Teens

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 28 May 2019 12:28:00 +0000

Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and YMCA Offer Free Summer Memberships to Teens jeffrey.needham Tue, 05/28/2019 - 07:28

Thousands of youth entering grades nine through 12 across the metro will have free access to the Y’s health and wellness and youth enrichment programs all summer long.

Minneapolis, MN – The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and the YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will offer free summer memberships for thousands of teens across the Twin Cities. From June 1 to August 31 youth entering grades nine through 12 can access a free membership to 26 YMCA locations throughout the Twin Cities.

Statistics show that risky behaviors like violence, drinking and drug use increase during the summer when young people’s time is less structured. According to Pew Research Center, only 20 percent of today’s 16 to 17 year-olds hold a summer job, and that rate is even lower among teens of color. Participation rates in camps and similar programs have remained stagnant or fallen in recent years. Teens need a safe place to go in their communities that is flexible, engaging and accessible to all.

The YMCA is positioned to help bridge this gap in the Twin Cities and ensure that youth of all backgrounds and incomes have access to learning opportunities outside of school. The Y’s locations cut across city, county and school district boundaries. More than 80 percent of Twin Cities teens live within 15 minutes of a YMCA location that offers opportunities for wellness, sports, leadership programs, pathways to part-time jobs at the Y and more.

“The YMCA Get Summer program is making a real difference in our community by providing a safe space for youth to connect and have fun while learning important lifelong skills,” said Mark Dienhart, president and chief executive officer of the Schulze Family Foundation. “We believe supporting this program offers a truly unique opportunity to engage youth in their neighborhood with educational and enriching experiences with caring mentors and role models.”

This year the YMCA will increase the number of youth served with up to 400 per location for a total of up to 10,400 youth. There will be more teen specific programming added including:

health and wellbeing classes and youth specific fitness challenges using the Y app
leadership and character development programs including Leaders Club, Achievers and Youth in Government
job readiness workshops and courses designed to prepare youth for employment opportunities in their community and at the Y.

In addition, some teens do not have access to a nutritious meal during the summer. To meet the need, the program is also offering free meals at 12 Y locations including Blaisdell, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, East St. Paul, Hastings, Maplewood, Midway St. Paul, St. Paul Downtown, Southdale, Mounds View Community Center, New Hope and West St. Paul

“Not many people have escapes, and the Y is a big escape for me,” said Meshe, a 16- year old student from Roseville. “The Y is a place to get my self-image boosted and gives me a chance to be the best me I can be.”

Lisa Roers, a parent from Shoreview said, “Get Summer is great for the community and great for parents to know that our kids have this free opportunity. It’s wonderful.”

“The YMCA is thrilled to partner with the Schulze Family Foundation to provide a safe environment for young people to engage in programs that promote healthy living, build character and leadership, and support success in school and in life,” said Glen Gunderson, president and chief executive officer for the YGTC. “The Y is committed to eliminating barriers to participation so all have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive during the summer months. This program is possible because of the generous donation from the Schulze family.”

The program is open to all students of all backgrounds and incomes. Youth entering grades nine through 12 can visit any participating Y location, or register online, beginning May 28 to enroll with a valid ID, class schedule or report card and the permission of an adult. Each participating location can accommodate up to 400 participants for over 10,000 teens in 2019. For more information, visit ymcamn.org/getsummer.

About the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation (RMSFF) was created in 2004 by Best Buy founder, Dick Schulze, as a way to give back to the community where Dick and his family grew up and where he built Best Buy to become the world’s largest consumer electronics retailer. Schulze and his family believe that a good education, a supportive family and a strong work ethic prepare children for a successful future. To support that belief, it supports organizations operating in the areas of human & social services, education, including scholarship awards to graduating students from eligible high schools, and health & medicine.

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 the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcamn.org.

New YMCA Camp Northern Lights Celebrates Grand Opening Celebration on May 25

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 21 May 2019 19:41:22 +0000

New YMCA Camp Northern Lights Celebrates Grand Opening Celebration on May 25 jeffrey.needham Tue, 05/21/2019 - 14:41

Community invited to enjoy fun camp activities and tours to commemorate opening

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will celebrate the grand opening of new YMCA Camp Northern Lights on Bear Island Lake in Babbitt on Saturday, May 25.

The new family camp located at 9089 County Highway 21 North in Babbitt will continue the YMCA’s 162-year tradition of creating access to nature through meaningful outdoor experiences. The YMCA operates eight overnight camps and 10 day camps in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

“We look forward to celebrating our new YMCA Camp Northern Lights that is serving our community with great outdoor experiences for all to enjoy,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “The YMCA is committed to providing everyone opportunities to get away from daily distractions, unplug and enjoy nature year-round.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new Camp Northern Lights, hear from YMCA and community leaders on the importance of this new camp serving families and enjoy special camp activities such as pontoon rides, craft projects, s’mores, hikes and much more.

The new YMCA Camp Northern Lights features two nice swimming beach areas, an excellent fishing lake and 22 beautiful lakefront cabins with full kitchens and bathrooms, and decks and/or screened porches. The Y will be adding eight new tent sites, four new bungalow cabins, several new program spaces, a nursery, an arts and crafts building, and large and small group campfire spaces.

The YMCA Summer Family Camp program offers three, four and seven day options. Camp staff lead age-specific programming for a portion of the day and all-family programs in the afternoons and evenings. In addition to family camp, teens 15-18 years old can develop valuable leadership skills through a two-week program that provides hands-on training assisting camp counselors and facilitating programs.

During the school year, YMCA Camp Northern Lights has seven winterized, cozy cabins that are available for a Book Your Own Getaway experience. Families and groups can enjoy groomed ski trails, snowshoeing, hiking and other outdoor adventures.

For more information on YMCA Camp Northern Lights and how to register for camp programs, visit http://campnorthernlights.org.

WHO:
YMCA of the North

WHAT:
YMCA Camp Northern Lights Grand Opening Celebration

WHERE:
YMCA Camp Northern Lights
9089 County Highway 21 North in Babbitt, MN 55706

WHEN:
Saturday, May 25, 2019
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Tours and Camp Activities
Lunch (food truck available for lunch purchase)
1:00 p.m. - Program

About the YMCA of the North

YMCA Makes Swimming Accessible to All Through Teaching Water Safety Skills

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 21 May 2019 19:27:56 +0000

YMCA Makes Swimming Accessible to All Through Teaching Water Safety Skills jeffrey.needham Tue, 05/21/2019 - 14:27

According to the USA Swimming Foundation and University of Memphis, two children die every day because of drowning.
According to a national research study conducted by the USA Swimming Foundation, the University of Memphis and University of Nevada-Las Vegas, 60 percent of African American and 45 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim compared to 40 percent of Caucasian children.
In 2018, 46 people drowned in Minnesota in boating and non-boating related accidents, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, makes swimming accessible to all by teaching water safety skills and emphasizing life saving tips during National Water Safety Month.

As the season turns from winter to spring, the YMCA encourages children and adults to explore the many benefits of swimming, while also keeping safety top of mind. In Y swim programs participants can enjoy water sports, enhance or learn new techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence, and most importantly learn safety skills that can save lives.

“It’s never too early to get children involved in swimming to keep them active, healthy and safe around water,” says Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “There are so many options for parents and the best place to start is by learning basic water safety skills that help get children familiar with the water and then often continue with swim lessons, competitive swim programs and possibly even a career like lifeguarding or coaching.”

Gunderson added as part of National Water Safety Month, parents are encouraged to take an active role in fostering a relationship between their children and swimming. The Y offers several programs promoting the benefits of swimming including:

Y Swim Lessons: The Y’s swim lessons for infants, kids and teens are the most accessible community resource to prevent drowning and encourage a lifelong enjoyment of swimming. The Y serves all ages in the pool from six months to adults. The YMCA offers a limited amount of free swim lessons each year and people can apply online at www.ymcamn.org/freelessons.
Y Adaptive Swim Lessons: The Y tailors swim lessons to meet the unique needs of each individual to ensure they can be as safe as possible in and around water and receive the therapeutic benefits of swimming.
Competitive Swim: YMCA competitive swimming and diving teams are the natural progression from Safety Around Water and Y Swim Lessons by encouraging children and teens to continue their love of swimming while providing an ideal environment for cognitive, physical and social-emotional development.
Lifeguards and Swim Instructors: The YMCA offers training and job opportunities to help teach the community how to be safe in and around the water.

See how the YMCA ensures all in our community have access to water safety and swimming lessons – Swimming for All

Learn about the rewarding opportunities to be a lifeguard and swim instructor in the community – Why Join the YMCA Aquatics Team?

Discover how to gain valuable water safety skills with free swim lessons – YMCA Free Swim Lessons

The YMCA Safety Around Water program teaches youth what they need to do to stay safe in pools, lakes and rivers. In addition to learning what to do if a friend is in trouble, youth develop skills to help if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly:

Jump, Push, Turn and Grab – teaches a child to push off the bottom of the pool as they are submerging to get back up to the surface and turn to grab the side of the pool.
Swim, Float, Swim – teaches children to swim a short distance on their front, roll over on their back to rest, and then roll on their front to continue swimming to safety.

The YMCA reaches over 5,000 people through the Safety Around Water program. Thanks to partnerships with Abbey’s Hope, Delta Air Lines, Hawkins Inc., Hennepin County and USA Swimming Make a Splash Foundation the program is available free of charge so all can participate.

Along with the Safety Around Water program, the YMCA offers children and adults life-saving tips including:

Never swim alone.
Adults should constantly and actively watch children in their care.
Always keep young children or non-swimmers within arm’s reach of parent or guardian.
Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Don’t engage in breath holding activities.
Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water rather use a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety.
Enroll children and non-swimmers in water safety or swim lessons.

Because the Y 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.

New YMCA Rochester Early Childhood Learning Center Celebrates Grand Opening on May 21

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 14 May 2019 13:49:26 +0000

New YMCA Rochester Early Childhood Learning Center Celebrates Grand Opening on May 21 jeffrey.needham Tue, 05/14/2019 - 08:49

Minneapolis, MN – The Rochester Area Family YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will celebrate the grand opening of a new Early Childhood Learning Center in Rochester on May 21.

This new Early Childhood Learning Center, located on 2364 Valleyhigh Drive NW in Rochester, will serve 155 children in the community by offering full-day child care options for kids ages six weeks to five years. There are currently 13 other Y child care programs in the greater Twin Cities where approximately 98 percent of graduating YMCA Preschool & Pre-K students surpass local school district Kindergarten readiness requirements.

“We are excited to be opening another Early Childhood Learning Center that will support families in Rochester 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 Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility and paired with the Creative Curriculum educational framework. The Y creates intentional Learn Through Play experiences designed to develop a child’s potential through creative, intellectual, emotional, social and physical skills while they grow. Children learn best through interaction and exploration because play supports educational activities. The YMCA early learning programs are guided by the Healthy Kids Initiative, an intentional strategy to expose all youth to healthy eating, nutrition and physical activity while in the Y’s care in order to achieve better health outcomes for both young people and their families. The Y uses nationally recognized child development models including: CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health) and HEPA (Healthy Eating, Physical Activity).

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 Parent Aware and licensed by the State of Minnesota, give kids the chance to explore freely through:

STEM 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 aquatics environment
enrichment opportunities, including music & movement classes and an introduction to languages like Spanish or American Sign Language
interactive white boards that help prepare children for their future school classroom experience

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.

“We are excited to open a new YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center that will address the need in our community for quality, safe and affordable licensed child care,” said Virginia Kaczmarek, executive director of the Rochester Area Family YMCA. “We look forward to continuing to be a valuable asset, supporting youth, adults and families in our community.”

The Rochester Early Childhood Learning Center is accepting enrollment in their infant, toddler, preschool and pre-K classrooms. If people register by May 31, they will receive 50 percent off the first six weeks of child care. 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/rochestereclc, or call 507-200-4024.

Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new Early Childhood Learning Center, hear from YMCA and community leaders on the importance of this new Center serving families and enjoy special entertainment by the youth participating at the Center.

WHO:
YMCA of the North

WHAT:
YMCA Rochester Early Childhood Learning Center Ribbon Cutting Celebration

WHERE:
YMCA Rochester Early Childhood Learning Center
2364 Valleyhigh Drive NW in Rochester, MN 55901

WHEN:
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
4:00 Program and Ribbon Cutting Celebration
Tours and Open House to follow

For more information on the Rochester Early Childhood Learning Center, visit www.ymcamn.org/rochestereclc.

YMCA Hosts First-Ever ForEverest Spring Climbing Event on May 19 at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington

jeffrey.needham — Tue, 07 May 2019 15:44:24 +0000

YMCA Hosts First-Ever ForEverest Spring Climbing Event on May 19 at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington jeffrey.needham Tue, 05/07/2019 - 10:44

Kids, Adults and Seniors Each Choose their Own Climbing Level to Simulate the Journey from Basecamp to Summit

Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host the first-ever ForEverest on Sunday, May 19, at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington.

Fewer than 4,000 people have ever climbed Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth at 29,029 feet and the most epic climb in the world. To simulate a mini-version of the Everest climb, the YMCA has partnered with Three Rivers Parks District to create a journey that starts at basecamp (bottom of ski hills) leading to the summit by climbing several of the ski runs at Hyland Hills. This fun, new ForEverest event is for kids, adults and seniors aged 7-99 of all abilities.

“The ForEverest event offers each of us a taste of what it’s like to climb Mount Everest right here in the Twin Cities,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the Y. “Climbers from across the community will have the opportunity to train beforehand if the they want and then go out with everyone to conquer the climb as individuals or with family, friends or a group. Together everyone will enjoy an exhilarating event promoting health and wellbeing.”

ForEverest, presented by Delta Air Lines, offers four course levels to choose from so there is a path to the summit for everyone from hikers to runners. The event will attract upwards of 1,000 participants and feature fun activities at basecamp, discovery zones along the way and recognition for reaching the summit.

Participants can take part in the ForEverest Training Challenge now through May 19, designed to help build the traits needed to complete the climb, journey from sea level to basecamp by earning vertical feet each time a person completes and tracks exercise sessions, mental toughness tasks and nature-related activities. To help build healthy habits and pre-event readiness with the ForEverest Training Challenge, visit www.ymcamn.org/challenge.

The registration cost is $29 per person with discounts for registering two or more climbers. For more information and to register, visit www.cyclehealth.org.

For volunteer opportunities, visit http://signup.com/go/PgNDpZw.

WHO:

YMCA of the North, CycleHealth - the adventure racing arm of the YMCA, and Three Rivers Parks District with sponsors Delta Air Lines, HealthPartners|Park Nicollet, Prairie Care, Matrix, Tivity, and Octane.

WHAT:

First Ever ForEverest

WHERE:

Hyland Hills Ski Area at 8800 Chalet Road in Bloomington, MN 55438

WHEN:

Sunday, May 19, 2019 with start times at Noon and 2:30 p.m.

About the YMCA of the North