SUMMER FACILITY HOURS
Monday-Thursday 6am-8pm Friday 6am-7pm Saturday 11am-5pm
*See Pool Hours Below |
NORTHUMBERLAND
FAMILY YMCA
6348 Northumberland Hwy
P.O. Box 146
Heathsville, VA 22473
(804) 580-8901
A branch of the Peninsula Metropolitan YMCA CALENDAR
May 21
Health/Nutrition Consultant at the Y
6:30, 7:30pm
May 26
Pool Opens!!!
Blessing of the Feet Ceremony, 11:00am
St. Stephens Strawberry Festival, 8:00am
May 31
Health/Nutrition Consultant at the Y
6:30, 7:30pm
June 4
Day Camp Starts
June 11
Swim Lessons Begin
June 16
3 v 3 Basketball Tourney |
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MEMBERSHIP
SPECIAL
May 21-June 12
Help your YMCA continue to grow by connecting friends, family & neighbors to the services and fun programs offered.
Earn free months by referring new members to the Y. For each new member you refer you get 1 FREE month of membership.*
Stop by the Y and ask how you can refer a member.
*New member must maintain membership through September 30. Free months for existing members begin October 1.
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POOL HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:30-11:00am
(Aquatic Programs, Lap Swim, Swim Lessons)
12:00-6:30pm
(Open Swim, Swim Lessons)
Saturday
11:00am-6:30pm
(Family Swim)
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SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendar for the YMCA's
8th Annual Dinner
Auction
September 15
Festival Halle
Proceeds help make sure our Y is for ALL. |
HEALTH TIP
Try the switch to whole wheat pasta. Do you need more help getting to your 30 or so grams of daily fiber? Try doing this: Substitute 1 cup of whole wheat pasta (6.3 g of fiber) for the same amount of regular (2.4 g). This one easy switch pushes you 4 g closer to your total daily fiber goal. |
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| SCHOOL TO POOL | |
A program of epic proportions is under way at the Northumberland Family YMCA. School to Pool is the second grade learn-to-swim program made possible with a collaboration between the YMCA, Red Cross and Northumberland County Public Schools. The fact that the program is even in existence is enough to celebrate, but the real cause for celebration is that 100% of the Northumberland Elementary School 2nd Grade Class is participating.
One of the Y staff jokingly asked one day, after reading the program flyer, "Really? Is this a program of EPIC proportions?" My response was delivered through a series of questions. For those of you that grew up in Northumberland County, I pose the same questions: Do you know how to swim? Where did you learn? How many of your friends growing up knew how to swim?
Your responses are probably similar to those of our staff member. You know how to swim, but don't know many others that can.
Yes! This is a program of epic proportions. School to Pool is providing 10 hours of swim lessons and wa ter safety instruction to 106 2nd grade children. Perhaps they will not go on in life to win the Olympics, but each one will at least have the basic skills to enjoy the water and know what to do should they fall in unexpectedly.
School to Pool was intended to provide children with basic swimming and water safety skills, but there is another benefit as well. It levels the playing field in a whole different way for this year's second graders. On the first day of school in September the 3rd grade teachers will ask, "Children, what did you do this summer?" Beginning this year there will be many more tales of adventurous fun in the water... Because they will all know how to swim.
All participants of the School to Pool Program will get to show off their skills to the public beginning May 26th at 11am when the pool opens for the season.
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| POOL OPENS MAY 26!!! | | |
Get ready for a summertime of fun at your new YMCA outdoor pool in Heathsville. Swim season kicks off May 26th at 11am. A familiar tradition will be re-created pool side that day as the first annual Blessing of the Feet Ceremony will be held. The community is invited to attend and enjoy the pool afterward.
Appropriate attire is a must for this ceremony...swim shorts and bathing suits! 
Pictured Right: Swim Instructor Sandy Newsome and Swim Aide Diane Kelly review swim skills to prepare these youngsters for fun in the pool this summer.
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| MEMBER'S COLUMN - MY Y IS FOR EVERY 'BODY' | |
What do I like BEST about our Family Y? Well, I could say it's the friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic staff. I could say I like the spotless facilities that are available for us six days a week. Or, perhaps it could be the state-of-the-art equipment that's kept in excellent condition for members' use.
All of those things are wonderful, and part of the fantastic Y experience here. But I have to say that the thing I like the most-my very favorite thing-is that the Y is for people like me.
When I visit my Family Y (and I do as frequently as I can!), I notice right away that I fit in, just the way I am. I'm not a twenty-something hardbody (although we do indeed have them!). Those who visit the Y come in all shapes and sizes, so I feel comfortable that my particular "shape and size" fits in, too. All types of people frequent our Family Y: younger people and older people. Slender people and not-so-slender people. People with tight or bulging muscles, and people on the "softer" side. And everyone in between. That lets me know that I'm welcome, there, too.
I also notice that I don't have to have an expensive tracksuit or color-coordinated exercise outfit, to fit in at the Y. My old tee-shirts and cotton shorts work just fine for my workout. Don't get me wrong; there's nothing wrong with looking great in your exercise clothes. But isn't it nice to know that YOU are welcome in the Y in your old scruffies and last year's sneakers?
Yes, the team of staff members are terrific; the new facility and equipment, pristine. But I think the most important thing we ought to remember about the Y is that it's our Y, no matter where we are in our quest for fitness. That's what I tell my friends when I encourage them to join the Y. I feel comfortable there, and so do lots of other people of all ages and colors and shapes and sizes. In that sense, our Family Y is for every body.
- Jane Emrick
Northumberland Family YMCA members are encouraged to send their suggestions for or impressions of their Y, for possible inclusion in this column. -Editor |
| HEALTHY KIDS DAY A SUCCESS | |  Healthy Kids Day was a huge success! More than 300 children, adults, and volunteers enjoyed a day of sports, dancing and games. Shirley Grant and the Red Cross were present to teach kids about CPR and First Aid. 
Twenty one different organizations and businesses were on site to distribute information on health and safety. Two Y kids seek safe hunting tips from Officer Ken Williams. 
Taking care of teeth and gums are an important part of living a healthy life. Event organizers Edee Withers and Shirley Haynie stopped by to see Dr. Radcliffe and Dr. Fina during Healthy Kids Day.
Volunteers from 4-H were present to introduce kids to healthy eating tips. Kids were able to create their own healthy snacks that day. Some of the more popular recipes included "ants on a log" (peanut butter, raisins and celery); and "smile sandwiches" (apple slices, peanut butter and mini-marshmallows).
 Sherriff Wilkins and other officers were present that day to provide kids and families with safety tips. Officer Kevin Keeve brought "Mike" the Search & Rescue Bloodhound, and as usual "Mike" stole the show by making lots of friends and demonstrating a search.
Thanks to the many volunteers in the community who helped with Healthy Kids Day 2012. We look forward to next year! |
| COLLABORATION STATION | | |
Together, we can accomplish great things!
The YMCA seeks to connect members of the community with the information and services they need. Each month the Y will feature an organization on our community board to highlight unique services available to Northumberland residents. We will also post other community event information for non-profit organizations and churches.
This month the Y is featuring information on boating safety and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Pictured below are Phil Landry, Vessel Examiner with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Cristian Shirilla, YMCA Director posting boating safety information.
"In our waterfront community almost everyone enjoys the river in some way. We're at the beginning of boating season and safety is of high priority when out on the water," said Shirilla. "There are new boating regulations requiring vessel operators to be certified in boating safety. We now have the information here at the Y to connect our members with the Coast Guard Auxiliary for course information."
In other collaboration news, the YMCA Day Camp staff team took part in a CPR & First Aid course to prepare for summer programs. The course was taught by Shirley Grant, Volunteer Director for the Red Cross, and by David Vogel, YMCA Pool Manager and Red Cross Instructor.
 "CPR is an important skill to have. You hope that it will never have to be used, but some day it may be necessary," said Shirley Grant.
The two organizations will partner throughout the summer to offer CPR & First Aid courses.
For questions regarding boating safety or Red Cross certification courses and requirements, contact the YMCA at northumberland@peninsulaymca.org. If your non-profit organization or church would like to post information at the Y, simple drop it off at our welcome desk and we'll post it for you. |
| CRITICAL POOL TESTING IN PROGRESS | |
 The Northumberland Elementary 2nd Grade Class has been helping the Y test the new outdoor pool for "swimability" and "capacity for fun". The first round of consumer testing is complete. A spokesman for the 2nd Graders, 8 year old Luke Swann had this to say during a recent pool side interview.
 "We believe the community will be thrilled with the pool and we've seen positive results during initial test sessions. However we'd like to perform these tests and crunch the numbers several more times just to be certain that everyone, will indeed have fun this summer at our YMCA pool."
 There is speculation that additional tests for "swimability" and "capacity for fun" are not necessary, and that the children are delaying the results simply to have fun themselves. But according to YMCA Director Cristian Shirilla, "How can you argue with 106 eight year olds? We want to be absolutely certain everything will be perfect when we officially open the pool. So, we trust that their research will provide concrete evidence supporting the idea that everyone in the community will thoroughly enjoy all the YMCA pool has to offer this summer."
The final results of consumer testing will be announced May 26 when the pool opens to members and the public. |
| WELLNESS HIGHLIGHT - MEMBER CONNECTION | | |
The Y is not just a place to work out. It's a place to get connected with the help and motivation members want to live well. Paula Scott (pictured right) has stepped up as the Y's new Wellness Coordinator. "We are excited to have Paula's enthusiasm for health and fitness in a leadership role," said Y Director Cristian Shirilla. "Paula has year's of experience in sports and fitness and will help our Y serve the community better."
 Recently she began working with Intern, Anjelica Newsome (pictured left), a Longwood University Physical Therapy Major, to create a member connection program that will help connect members who have similar wellness goals with each other.
"Sometimes the best motivation comes from your friends. And a team can often accomplish more than an individual," said Newsome. "We want to know what you want to accomplish and connect you with someone else who wants to do the same."
"It's great to have Anjelica's help and expertise this summer," said Scott. "Everyone on our wellness team has different knowledge and experience. Anjelica brings a different array of experience that enhances our wellness team."
Want to run a 5K for the first time? Want to lose a few pounds but have physical limitations? Or have you been working out for months but feel like you can't get to the next level? Let us know what you want to achieve. Tell any one of our wellness staff what you'd like to do. Chances are there's someone else who wants to do the same.
Get connected. The Y can help. |
| GET READY FOR CAMP | | |
 Get ready for a summer of fun at camp! Stop by the Y to sign up for Day Camp or Camp Kekoka.
Day Camp hosts a variety of daily activites, songs, games, field trips and of course swimming at the new YMCA outdoor swimming pool. There are 11 weeks of Day Camp this year, all offering the adventure of a lifetime.
 Camp Kekoka is the Y's resident camp. This week-away from home gives kids the full camp experience, even though the camp is close by, just outside of Kilmarnock on the Chesapeake Bay. Activities include sailing, fishing, swimming and water skiing.
For information on Day Camp or Camp Kekoka, call Jonathan Frith, Associate Program Director for the Northumberland Family YMCA at (804) 580-8901.
Summer is here! Get signed up today. |
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