Lego Camp

At the Y, we exist to strengthen the community and one of the best ways to do that is to invest in the kids of our community. The Y has many opportunities for kids to learn character, gain confidence, and have fun!

One of our newest programs is Lego Camp! We know that not all kids are interested in typical fall sports and we think all kids should have social opportunities to be creative and have fun, so we are offering Lego Camp on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Oct. 12. Registration is required, so check out the flyer for details!

Skagit YMCA Receives $25,000 Donation!

Skagit Valley Family YMCA Board Member Susan Krienen announced that she would make a $12,500 donation to the Skagit YMCA Capital Campaign; a donation that will be matched by the Shell Foundation for a total donation of $25,000. Krienen is the plant manager of the Shell Puget Sound Refinery in Anacortes.

The donation will go towards the planning and development of the new Y building. The new building has a target open date in the year 2015.

"We need a new building and I can help make that happen," Krienen said of her donation. "It's a privelege to be a part of this community and a leader in it. I want to encourage others to get involved."

Skagit YMCA CEO Bob Shrumm expressed deep appreciation not only for Krienen's monetary contribution to the Y, but also for her leadership and vision.

"I will admit I have been completely blown away by this incredible show of generosity and leadership," Shrumm said. "Once again I am amazed by our YMCA Board. I know this extraordinary act will inspire others."

The Y board and Shrumm know the current Y facility is old will not be able to serve the community too much longer.

"We have no choice," Shrumm said. "The building is falling down around us."

Krienen hopes her donation to the Capital Campaign will accelerate the process of getting a new building and and inspire other individuals, businesses, and organizations in the community to give to this worthwhile project.

Look for a more in depth story in the October newsletter about the impact Susan has had on the Y and the impact the Y has had on Susan!

Thank you Susan for your leadership, vision, and generosity!

Zumba is for Everyone!

Check out this video to see that ANYONE can do Zumba...just take it from the Y's very own Zumba baby! This is the Zumba Gold Class 12pm-1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays specifically designed for beginners and older adults.

Youth Soccer Deadline!

The registration deadline for the fall youth indoor soccer league is Sept. 12! There are a few great reasons to register your child or child's whole team for indoor soccer this fall:

Weekday evening games. This league is perfect if you need to do other things on Saturday, including other soccer leagues. This means an outdoor team can play it's regular games on Saturday and get an extra game indoor during the week!

• Two words: inside and heaters. This one is mostly for parents. You don't need to worry about being wet and cold as you watch your child! Sit comfortably on our bleachers and if it gets cold enough, we'll turn on the heaters for you. Plus, no need to worry about muddy cleats in your car on the way home.


• Non-competitive play. We don't keep track of the score or standings. Sports leagues at the Y are all about youth development, including learning, exercise, and fun!


• Inexpensive. At the Y, we strive to make our programs affordable for everyone. You won't find a sports league this inexpensive anywhere else. We also offer scholarships for those who cannot afford our fees. Did you know about 10% of all youth sports participants received a scholarship last year?

Details and registration forms are available at http://www.skagitymca.org/; a separate team registration form and pricing is available. Contact Sports Director Erin Hickman at 360-336-9622 or e.hickman@skagitymca.org.

Brand Revitalization Continues!

We are slowly making changes and incorporating the new Y brand into the way we present ourselves. A lot is going on behind the scenes to make sure we implement correctly the new national standards about the new logo, visual system, and messaging of the new brand. All changes must be made by 2015! That includes all signage, clothing, and more! Maybe by then we'll have a new facility...

At the Y, we've always known that positive changes only come through investing in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. And that's why we're here. We have three areas of focus:

• Youth Development: because young people need caring adults to provide support, guidance, and encouragment as they grow.

• Healthy Living: because wellness in spirit, mind, and body strengthens our very being and enhances our interactions with others.

• Social Responsbility: because we truly are in this together, and together we can harness our individual strength and bring about positive change around us.

So, while our look may be changing (for the better, I might add), it's changing to better reflect what we offer to the community and the positive impact we make. We look forward to enriching the lives of those in our community...just like we always have.

YMCA Gets a Lift!

The Skagit Valley Family YMCA has a new lift in its pool thanks to a generous donation! The pool lift is used to get those with physical disabilities in and out of the pool, which, for many, is an important part of physical therapy and living a more fulfilling life. The Y pool is one of the only pools with a lift in the area.

Barbara Allen, 72, of Camano Island has only been a member of the Y since May, but has already made a big difference at the Y and to those who have trouble getting in and out of the pool. Allen, who is in a wheel chair, gave a donation to replace the old lift, which was old and sometimes unpredictable, according to Aquatics Director Jean McAdams.

"Lots of people come to the Y specifically because we have a lift and they can't do the needed therapy anywhere else," McAdams said.

The Y is important because it helps people who can't be helped anywhere else," Allen said.

She hopes the new lift will extend the invitation the Y already tries to impart: that everyone, all people of all categories, are welcome at the Y.

"This is where you come to get healthy," Allen said.

Allen uses the Y pool for physical therapy and has seen the improvements it has made in her life and the lives of others who use the lift and the pool. When she first started coming to the Y for pool therapy, she had to hold onto the ledge. She is now able to walk around the pool with the help of flotation devices. Allen notes there are several others who probably would not be able to walk if they did not have the opportunity to use the pool lift at the Y and utilize pool therapy.

Allen admits her donation was a little self-serving because she uses the lift, but no one at the Y sees it that way.

"She filled a need for a group of people that often gets overlooked," McAdams said.

Caring is one of the Y core values and Allen showed that she cares for those who need a little extra help.

"It was an honor and privlege to do it," Allen said of her donation. "I know how important that lift was to me...[It could help] people who might be able to walk again."

Zumbatomic!

Do your kids love to dance? Do you want to find fun opportunities for your kids to be active? Then register them for Zumbatomic!

Zumbatomic is Zumba designed just for kids ages 4 to 7. Zumbatomic melds music, dance, and energy so your kids have fun dancing and getting fit! Fitness Director Stefanie Ash (and popular adult Zumba instructor) became a certified Zumbatomic instructor in July, so bring on the fun!

The Zumbatomic class will be in the YMCA Activity Center (next door to the Y) 4pm-5pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. It is a four week session October 4-Nov. 3. Register your kids Aug. 30-Oct. 1 at the Y or over the phone. Zumbatomic is FREE for members of the Y, program members need to pay $25.

If you have questions about Zumbatomic, contact Stefanie Ash at s.ash@skagitymca.org or call 360-336-9622. Sign up your kids today and let the party begin!