4th of July Fun!

All of us here at the YMCA hope you have a happy and safe Independence Day!

If you are going to be at the 4th of July parade in Sedro-Woolley this weekend, watch for kids and parents from the YMCA Early Learning Centers and Y's Kids Day Camp who will be marching in it! They will have banners, tie-dye shirts, decorated bikes/wagons, and will be handing out candy. Be sure to cheer loudly when you see them!

New Sports Director

Erin Hickman will take over as the YMCA Sports Director for Vanessa Harrington who is resigning after almost four years in the position. Vanessa is resigning in order to spend more time with her growing family, but will miss her YMCA family. However, Vanessa will stay on 2 days a week with the YMCA through the end of August to help the transition and continue doing the marketing for the association. Unfortunately for the staff at the YMCA, Vanessa will also be taking her daughter, Vivienne, with her. Vivienne has been coming the YMCA since she was six weeks old and has many surrogate grandmas, aunts, uncles, and grandpas at the YMCA. Vivienne will miss regularly attending Zumba, swimming in the pool, and smiling with all the members.

Erin has been with the YMCA since she was an intern with Western Washington University two years ago. She did such a fantastic job as an intern that the YMCA staff decided to hire her even before she graduated from school. Erin has been Vanessa's right-hand as the programs at the YMCA sports department have expanded and grown. We know Erin will do a great job!

Erin and Vivienne after Zumba

Pool Closure

The YMCA pool will be closed for a swim meet 11am until closing on Saturday, June 26th.

Zumba Master Class

On Friday, June 11 the YMCA hosted two master Zumba instructors, Diane Felkes and Rosella Hunter. The class was at the YMCA Sports Center in Bakerview Park and everyone worked up a sweat! Each instructor brought their own style.

The class of about 40 was filled with Zumba-enthusiasts from as far away as California! Zumba instructors from all over the area also attended in an effort to learn from the Masters. The event was also a fundraiser for the YMCA Step-Up Campaign, which supports families that are unable to afford YMCA programs and services.

Visit http://www.skagitymca.org/ to find Zumba classes, including Zumba Gold for beginners and older adults, at the YMCA!

Camp clean up!

Last Saturday approximately 20 YMCA staff and volunteers headed out to Lake Sixteen near Conway to get Camp Anderson ready for summer campers! Everyone left tired after a morning of chopping wood, clearing out the site, and more.

Camp Anderson will host about 450 kids this summer. They will enjoy the great outdoors by canoeing, doing archery, crafts, hiking, and more! Camp Anderson is the perfect environment for any youth to enjoy their summer!

Camp Anderson also has special meaning this year because this year is the 125th anniversary of camping, which the YMCA had an important role in 'inventing' and promoting. Look for more information to come out on this!

New Volunteer Coordinator!

Many of you may have seen our new addition behind the front desk: Jennifer Kerkvliet (seen here with her Easter bunny nose at the Spring Carnival)! Now Jennifer is going to be the YMCA's new part-time volunteer coordinator. Over the next couple weeks, she will be getting more familiar with each department so she can better understand the volunteer needs and opportunities here at the YMCA.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering in child care, sports, aquatics, at Oasis, or anything else, Jennifer is your gal! If you have a special talent or skill or just want to give back to the community, we would love to find a place for you. Call the YMCA at 360-336-9622 and ask for Jennifer!