YMCA News Archive

YMCA of the North to host all-city basketball tournament for youth March 2 and 3

jeffrey.needham — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:38:40 +0000

YMCA of the North to host all-city basketball tournament for youth March 2 and 3 jeffrey.needham Thu, 02/29/2024 - 11:38

Woodbury, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, on March 2 and 3 will host a metro-wide all-city basketball tournament for youth ages 6 to 14. All teams will play during the weekend, with the championship games held on Sunday.

Around 800 participants will compete in the end-of-session championship tournament in Woodbury. The event is the culmination of the eight-week season where participants engaged in sports programs at their local Ys.

“YMCA sports are built on the idea that everyone has an opportunity to play,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the YMCA of the North. “YMCA athletes come from all backgrounds to unite as a team. Participants develop lifelong friendships and engage in healthy, positive competition.”

WHAT:
YMCA All-City Basketball Tournament

WHERE:
Legacy Hoops Woodbury, 2122 Wooddale Dr. #150, Woodbury, MN 55125

WHEN:
Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 3, from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Contact: Tyler Morgan, 715-321-2421

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 168 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.ymcanorth.org.

More than 500 youth to practice advocacy Feb. 27 at Youth Day at the Capitol

jeffrey.needham — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 18:27:34 +0000

More than 500 youth to practice advocacy Feb. 27 at Youth Day at the Capitol jeffrey.needham Mon, 02/26/2024 - 12:27

St. Paul, MN – The YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, Feb. 27 will partner with several other youth-serving organizations to bring more than 500 students in grades 6-12 from 53 Minnesota communities to the Minnesota State Capitol to meet with legislators and practice advocacy.

Youth Day at the Capitol (YDAC) is an annual event where hundreds of students from across the state come together to learn how to effectively advocate for an issue of their choosing and practice those advocacy skills during a meeting with their local elected officials. Different than many other “days on the hill,” Youth Day at the Capitol is unique in that participants identify their own local issues of concern.

“Our goal is to help young people understand the advocacy process and learn the skills needed to be effective advocates for issues that matter to them,” said Amy Anderson, executive director of the YMCA Center for Youth Voice. "Young people from different communities will likely end up focusing on different policy issues. The common thread is that every young person will have the opportunity to meet with local community elected officials and discuss hometown issues. That is a very powerful experience."

"I didn't realize that legislators are willing to meet with people, even young people,” said 2023 YDAC participant Thay See from Como High School. "Now I know that anytime my family or I am concerned about something in our community, we know how to reach out and meet with them about it."

In the morning, members of the Minnesota Youth Council will lead hour-long workshops for all participants on advocacy strategies and best practices. At 11:35 a.m., all participants will march to the State Capitol and gather for a photo on the Capitol steps. They will spend the afternoon meeting with legislators and Minnesota's constitutional officers, voting in a mock presidential primary election, attending actual committee hearings and learning about additional civic engagement opportunities for youth.

The YMCA Center for Youth Voice leads YDAC in partnership with the Minnesota Alliance with Youth, the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office, Minnesota Community Education Association, Minnesota Prevention Alliance, YWCA Minneapolis, Health Partners Teen Leadership Council and the Minnesota History Center.

WHO:
YMCA Center for Youth Voice

WHAT:
Youth Day at the Capitol 2024

WHEN & WHERE:
Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

9 a.m. – noon: Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102
Noon – 3 p.m.: Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155

Contact: Amy Anderson, 651-955-1679

About the YMCA of the North

YMCA of the North to host 10th annual Kidarod adventure race Feb. 17-18

nathan.hippenmeyer@ymcamn.org — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 03:22:29 +0000

YMCA of the North to host 10th annual Kidarod adventure race Feb. 17-18 nathan.hippenm… Thu, 02/01/2024 - 21:22

Maple Grove, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, Feb. 17-18 will host the 10th annual Kidarod adventure race for kids and families at Fish Lake Regional Park.

Kidarod, the nation’s largest winter adventure race for kids ages 5 to 17, includes trail running, hill climbing, hiking, obstacles, sliding and more. This year’s event is presented by Cargill and includes Nighttime Glow Racing on Feb. 17 from 4-7 p.m. and a full day of racing on Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adults may also participate in the race if registered with a kid.

While many winter events in the Twin Cities have been disrupted due to warm temperatures, Kidarod will take place regardless of the weather. “Weather-wise, we’ve seen it all – cold temperatures in the teens, record warm temperatures in the 60s and even a blizzard – and in every case we were able to provide a great experience for participants,” said Betsy Grams, vice president of adventure for YMCA of the North. “We have plans in place with safety as our first priority and are ready to adapt to any weather conditions. We are excited to offer families an activity they and their kids can enjoy – with snow or without!”

Kidarod is part of an adventure race series partnership between YMCA’s Adventure Lab, Three River Parks District and Y Adventure. The event will also feature winter activities, including a chance to meet a team of husky sled dogs. To learn more and register, visit www.ymcanorth.org/adventure/experiences/kidarod.

“We are thrilled to provide safe, unique adventure opportunities for kids and families,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the YMCA of the North. “When we empower young people to develop healthy habits early, we set them up for future success.”

WHO:
YMCA of the North Adventure Lab and Three Rivers Parks District

WHAT:
10th annual Kidarod

WHERE:
Fish Lake Regional Park, 14900 Bass Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311

WHEN:

Feb. 17 from 4-7 p.m.
Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

About the YMCA of the North