"pennies from heaven" Campaign

From Oct. 12-25, JCPenney's will partner with the Y for the "pennies from heaven" campaign. This nationwide program provides JCPenney's customers the opportunity to make donations to JCPenney at the cash register by rounding up their purchases to the next whole dollar. All donations collected by your local JCPenney store will be donated to our local YMCA after school program. 

Holiday Child Care

School is out on Oct. 26, so head on down to the Y for a fun Neewollah Celebration!  Kids will have a fun day off from school swimming, bouncing around in our giant bounce house and doing fall/Halloween arts and crafts. Bring your swim suit, towel and sack lunch and come join the fun. 

Locations: Downtown Y & Pat Jones Y

Time: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Fees: Y Family Member Fee: $13/per kid; Non-Y Family Member Fee: $18/per kid

Fee includes morning and afternoon snack

Boo Bash

Both Springfield YMCA locations will be having their free annual Boo Bash on Friday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. Both Y's will be transformed into a gaming area which will include a haunted maze, inflatables, prizes for costumes, refreshments, and a lot of candy. At the Downtown location, guests can also enjoy photos by Amber D. Photography, a sock hop, mummy wrap, and pumpkin pond. The Jones location will feature a bean bag toss, hillbilly golf, ring toss, crafts, s'mores, and hayrides.

Those who attend the Pat Jones celebration can participate in the Your Life Child Safety ID program for free. Kids will receive a Halloween themed ID card.

Non-perishable food donations for the Ozarks Food Harvest will be collected at both locations.

Divas and Denim

Come enjoy a night of music, hors d'oeurves, drinks, and games while supporting a great cause. On Nov. 11, the Y will be hosting its annual Divas in Denim event to raise money for the Strong Kids financial assitance program. The live auction event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Wellington Place Downtown. The band Pearl will also be performing live. Ladies are asked to dress up and men are asked to wear jeans.

For more information or to purchase tickets please contact Ashley French at afrench@yourdowntownymca.org or Mary Kromrey at mkromrey@yourdowntownymca.org.

WARD YMCA

UPCOMING EVENTS

AQUATICS

October Swim Lessons

October swim lessons begin Oct. 3 and run through Oct. 27. This is a four-week session and each class lasts 45 minutes. The registration deadline is Sept. 30.

Monday/Wednesday sessions: 4:15 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.

Aquababes class: Mondays/Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Fees: $20 for family member, $50 for non-member

November Swim Lessons

November swim lessons begin Oct. 31 and end Nov. 17. This is a three-week program and each class is 45 minutes long. The registration deadline is Oct. 28.

Monday/Wednesday sessions: 4:15 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.

Fees: $15 for family member. $35 for non-member

Saturday Swim Lessons

Saturday swim lessons run Nov. 5 through Dec. 17. There will not be classes on Nov. 26.

Swim Team

Join the Downtown YMCA Swim Team! This program is designed for swimmers looking for competitive practice and local competition.

Swim Practice: Mondays/Wednesdays and Tuesdays/Thursdays from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Contact Dianna Schumann at dschuman@yourdowntownymca.org for further questions.

Swim Meet

The Downtown YMCA Barracudas Swim Team will be competing at the Lebanon YMCA on Oct. 8 and at the Carthage YMCA on Oct. 22.

Adult Swim Lessons

The group lessons are offered on Tuesdays/Thursdays at 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. and Mondays/Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Fee: $20 for family member, $50 for non-member

Private Swim Lessons

The Downtown YMCA provides private swim lessons for those seeking one-on-one attention. Lessons can be scheduled to fit the needs of the participant.

Fee: $75 for member, $100 for non-member

Family Adventure Swim Night

Bring your family to a night of Halloween trivia, games, and relays in the pool on Oct. 14 from 7-8:30 p.m. Each family will accumulate points and the winner will get one session of free swim lessons!

Fee: $20 for member family, $35 for non-member family

ARTS

The next session of classes begins the week of Oct. 3. It's a great time to get involved so your child can perform in the Christmas recital!

Arts Academy Classes at Your Downtown YMCA:

Ballet I: Thursdays at 4:30 p.m., $20 MF or $40 PF

Pre-Ballet: Tuesdays at 5 p.m., $20 MF or $40 PF

Hip Hop: Mondays at 5:15 p.m., $20 MF or $40 PF

Fall Arts Academy Session Dates:  

Oct. 3-Oct. 29

Oct. 31-Nov. 17 ** discounted three week session

Nov. 28-Dec. 15 ** discounted three week session

** Christmas Recital Date in December: TBA 

YOUTH

Homework Table Ages K-8

After school homework help is provided for Y members grades K-8. Tables will be set up in the lobby Monday through Thursday with MSU college students assisting kids and teens with any subject. No registration is required.

Mondays & Wednesdays   3:30-4:30 p.m.

Tuesdays & Thursdays     4-5 p.m. 

For more information contact Nicole Brown at 417-862-8962 ext. 166.

Home School Interaction

This program provides kids ages 4-12 a fun, safe environment to engage in a variety of activities that promote physical and social well-being. At the Downtown Y, kids will have 30 minutes of free swim, 40 minutes of climbing wall time, and 40 minutes of P.E. time. And it's FREE when you're a Y Family Member!!

Strength and Conditioning

In this program, youth ages 12-16 are taught proper use and technique with fitness equipment. The first hour of the program includes strength and cardio workouts as well as flexibility components. The second hour is spent participating in group games in the gym or climbing the rock wall.

FREE for family members  - you may only choose one day to come.

Non member fees:

Cost per child: $20 per session (this is a 4 week session, meeting one time per week)

Or semester cost per child: $80

Dates/Times: Mondays or Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. (choose one only please)

Fall 2011 Session Dates:

Oct. 3-27

Oct. 31-Nov. 17 *3 week session

Nov. 28-Dec. 22

ARTS

Arts Schedule

The Y Arts Academy offers all of your favorite high quality classes and programs each month (four week sessions) on an on-going basis. Registration ends the Friday before classes are scheduled to start and spaces are limited. Our students have a great time while learning in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. Parents are welcome to enroll and take any class with his or her child.

Session Dates: Oct. 3-Oct. 29

SMART at the Y (Saturday Morning Art)

A fun three hour workshop held the third Saturday of the month. Visual art projects will vary each month, and may also include music, stories, dance, playground time, science, etc. A snack and drink will be provided. Must be registered by 10 p.m. on the Thursday before class.

Special Pricing: Family Member Fee: $15/month, Participant Fee: $20/month

Art Express 

A 30 minute blast of age appropriate projects. Make 'em and take 'em. Only $2! Sign your child in at the Kid Zone or Jammin' Gym, and our instructors will take them to class for you. Art Express bracelets are available at the front desk.

Family Classes

Come discover the fun you can have making art together as a family. Families will create wonderful works of art using clay, paint, paper, found objects, ceramics, and more. Minimum enrollment per family is two, includes one child and one parent.  

Youth Classes

Music Exploration

Blast into the music with your rambunctious toddlers and preschoolers. Explore the rhythms through the senses. See, feel, and hear the enthusiasm, the awakening of the mind to music, the universal language.

Kids Art Mix

Includes an eclectic mix of arts. Music, reading, painting, drawing, clay work, writing, and more are all blended together to stimulate all of the senses. A must try!

Group Guitar

Learn the basics of playing the acoustic (or electric) guitar. Students will learn language, positioning, and chords.

*Participants must bring their own guitar.

Group Piano  

Weekly group sessions for all ages to learn basic piano skills, introduction to music theory and music reading skills. Classes usually include a variety of levels, so come one, come all. Lessons are taught on keyboards.

Private Piano

Weekly private sessions for all ages to learn basic piano skills, introduction to music theory and music reading skills. Classes usually include a variety of levels, so come one, come all. Lessons are taught on keyboards. Days and times are by arrangement with the instructor.

Private Guitar/Bass

Learn to play the guitar: acoustic, electric, or bass. These lessons can be set up at the convenience of the student and the availability of the instructor.

*Participants must bring their own guitar.

Creation Station

One of our most popular classes! Stretch your imagination in this fun class. We will be using an adventurous mix of art media including paint, clay, wood, wire, and found objects. Projects usually incorporate some element of 3D sculpture.

Science Madness 

Do your kids love experimenting? Love explosions? Love gooey messes? Then this class is for them! The class includes all the fun aspects of science while sneaking in learning the accurate terminology and beginning the scientific method!

Clay Exploration 

Discover the fun and exciting world of clay through instruction in hand building with clay. Participants will learn basic hand building techniques. We will learn coils, slabs, pinch pot method, firing, glazing, use air dry, and much more. The only limit is your imagination.

Pottery 

Participants will learn how to use the pottery wheel to create functional and fun works of art. Surface decoration, glazing, and hand building will also be covered.

*Spaces are limited for this class.

Open Studio 

We'll incorporate many different materials and techniques to create beautiful and functional works of art. Each class will be something new, ie. paint, glass, leather, collage, art papers, jewelry, fibers, ceramics, metal, clay, and more. Great for families!

Adult Classes

Bellydance

Bellydance is unique in that it has all of the serenity and eastern wisdom of Yoga, physical benefits of Selah, and fun upbeat environment of Zumba. It can be a challenging and rewarding way to get in shape, express yourself, and make connections in the body that may not have been there otherwise.

The comprehensive bellydance program offered through the YMCA, opens doors for you to experience dance and physical movement in a fun way that helps build self-esteem, as well as strength, flexibility, and grace. You will have the opportunity to merge fitness, art, and mental clarity. There is nothing else like it out there!

Instructor, Brittney Laleh Banaei, has been dancing, teaching, and performing for 10 years. She believes that bellydance is for EVERYONE. Through her unique approach to bellydance, she offers students a deep physical toning, and the opportunity to take control of their bodies and celebrate where they are at this point in life regardless of age, body shape, or any other classification. She prides herself on getting her students dancing in their VERY FIRST class, so that they can feel the fruits of their hard work immediately. As a choreographer, she is experienced in creating combinations and dances that are accessible to every level. This is what allows her to create the beautiful moments in class in which students truly get to experience dance and MOVE! Brittney invites you to try your first class for free, and she's sure you'll love it.

Ballroom Dance 

Enjoy the fun and excitement of learning various ballroom steps in an encouraging environment at your Pat Jones YMCA. Our regular four week sessions cover Fox Trot, Tango, Mambo/Salsa, Swing, and Waltz. Dance is a wonderful form of exercise for all ages, and helps develop coordination, grace, and friendships. If you are already a dancer, our classes are a great way to brush up on your moves for your next special occasion, such as a class reunion, wedding, or just a night out on the town. All classes are taught by professional dance instructors who love what they do. Our instructor, Obi, invites you to try your first class for free, since he's sure you'll be hooked after that.

Private Guitar/Bass 

Learn to play the guitar: acoustic, electric, or bass. These lessons can be set up at the convenience of the student and the availability of the instructor.

*Participants must bring their own guitar.

Wood Carving

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at woodcarving, but thought, "There's no way I could do that?" Well, here's your chance! Students will learn proper tool usage in this beginner's class, carving two to three projects you will be proud of. You can do it! Tools and materials will be provided.

Pottery

Participants will learn how to use the pottery wheel to create functional and fun works of art. We will use our imaginations, while learning basic hand building techniques, such as coils, slabs, and pinch pot method. Surface decoration, glazing, and hand building will also be covered.

*Spaces are limited for this class.

We'll incorporate many different materials and techniques to create beautiful and functional works of art. Each class will be something new, ie. paint, glass, leather, collage, art papers, jewelry, fibers, ceramics, metal, clay, and more. Great for "girls night out."