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Spirit, Mind & Body
e-news from the
YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo |
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| Greetings! |
| Some days it doesn't feel like spring has arrived but spring is definitely in the air at your local YMCAs as this jam-packed e-news will prove! |
| Annual General Meetings |
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You're invited to the Annual General Meetings of the YMCA of Cambridge and the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA. Both are on Thursday, May 29.
The Kitchener-Waterloo meeting is first. It starts at noon (registration starts at 11:30 a.m.) at the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA.
The Cambridge meeting will follow at 5:30 p.m. at the Chaplin Family YMCA. |
| Build strong kids by getting active on YMCA Healthy Kids Day |
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June 1 is the first YMCA Healthy Kids Day across Canada. Locally, we're celebrating through a stronger than usual emphasis on healthy living in our kids programming.
Ask your kids how your family can make simple changes to get more active. The following ideas may get you thinking:
- Limit screen time by turning off the TV or computer and go for a walk.
- Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.
- Get up during commercials on TV and do something active like dance.
- Plan a weekly adventure in your neighbourhood such as going on a hike.
- Sign your kids up for swim lessons, day camp or other YMCA activities
- Download the Healthy Family Home Starter Kit created by the American YMCA
More ideas can be found on a Healthy Family website courtesy of the YMCA of the USA. | |
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| 24 Hour Survivor Challenge |
 The Z Beside the Y is hosting it's second annual 24 Hour Survivor Challenge from Saturday June 7 until Sunday June 8. The event is being held for youth between the ages of 12 and 17. The Survivor challenge will allow them to try to outwit, outplay and outlast their competition. This fundraiser is being held to support the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, with proceeds going to the Z.
Each participant will be put into a team. These teams will be staying on a school bus for the entire 24 hours. The participants will also have the opportunity to compete in team competitions for rewards, prizes and immunity. At the end of the 24 hours we will crown our Survivor champion. This is a family event and we are expecting approximately 40 participants as well as many other community members and families.
To learn more or register, call: 519-623-9622 ext. 252. |
| Looking for a special day camp? |
This summer for the first time, the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA is following the lead of the Chaplin Family YMCA and offering specialty day camps for kids who would like to explore a special interest. There is a Computer Camp, Anyone can Draw Comics and Superheroes, Rock Band Summer Camp and Junior Lifeguard Camp. Also new in 2008 is a YMCA Day Camp site in West Waterloo. In Cambridge, new specialty camps feature tennis and singing.
YMCA Day Camps also offer many other great options for kids from 3 - 16. To learn more, visit the YMCA of Cambridge or KW YMCA websites.
You may also be interested in YMCA Overnight Camps: Belwood, Ki-Wa-Y and Wabanaki. Some weeks and programs are fully booked though so you are encouraged to register now using our Online Registration. |
| Stay Fit for Life: Exercise and Lower Back Pain |
by Dave Patterson, BSc (Kin), MTS
A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA Volunteer
Lower back pain is one of the most common ailments of modem times. About eight out of every ten of us will suffer work time loss from a debilitating back injury by middle age. But just because we've ever injured ourselves that doesn't mean we have to be labelled as having a "bad back" limiting our quality of life forever. Apart from genetic or structural predisposition to back pain, what can we do to minimize our risk?
Weight Control. Sure, we all know slim folks who suffer back pain, yet research consistently shows us that being overweight can change our spinal curve and our lifting methods, increasing injury risk.
Exercise. Along with weight control, an active lifestyle enhances flexibility and strength. "Back-friendly" stretches include the hips, hamstrings and gluteals - all need to stay limber to protect our back. Adequate tone in the abs and core trunk musculature is the equivalent to wearing an "internal girdle" for support. Doing simple core stability exercises for just minutes each day may save us from a lifetime of trouble.
Posture. Posture is actually a complex matter determined by genetics, mood, sleeping habits, age, size, fitness level and more. Some basic rules for spinal health include: avoiding soft, worn out seats that allow us to slouch; using a lumbar support in the car and at the office; changing one's posture frequently through job rotation; using optimal body mechanics whenever lifting or carrying a load.
Safe practices are important at home, on the job, and even in recreational and leisure pursuits. Your back is with you for a lifetime; handle with care! Remember: stay fit ... for life!
Learn more:
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| Zumba arrives in Cambridge so ditch the workout and join the party! |
| Zumba, one of the hottest fitness trends around, arrives in Cambridge on June 13 at 6 p.m. at the Chaplin Family YMCA (and ONLY at the Chaplin Family YMCA!). Since Zumba turns exercise into a party, the inaugural class will be a big celebration with prizes. Register today!
Zumba is a hot fusion of Latin and International music with its own exciting and unique moves. It's an excellent class for everyone and easy for beginners to learn. Dance your way to a fitter you! |
| Kids give generously to help build strong kids |
Kids who understand first hand the benefits of participating in YMCA programs have given generously to make sure all kids and families can afford to access YMCA programs and services. Children attending YMCA Child Care (in KW and Cambridge), Afterschool Antics, the Ontario Early Years Centres and the Virtual YMCA raised almost $13,000 this year!
Twoonie Toss
The kids at the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA participated in another fundraiser. During swimming lessons the week of May 5, participants threw twoonies into the pool while the instructors dove in after them. The children whose instructor collected the most twoonies from the bottom of the pool won a prize. A whopping $1000 was raised at this event! Thanks to Stef Feth, Aquatics Coordinator who ran this event during all swimming lessons for a week.
Special events make an impact
Since the last Spirt, Mind and Body, the results of two special events in support of the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign have been released. The Artsy Affair presented by the YMCA of Cambridge raised $13,000 to help Cambridge kids. And the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA's YMCA Get Fit Challenge also raised almost $13,000 to help Kitchener-Waterloo kids access YMCA programs.
Thank you to everyone who helped the YMCA to build active, healthy, strong kids!
You can still give!
Follow these links to learn more about the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign in Cambridge or Kitchener-Waterloo. You can still do your part and make a gift online at: ymcastrongkids.ca . Just look for a storyteller from your community and follow the instructions. |
| My YMCA Story: A Job Search Success Story |
By Tae Hee Bae, IT Professional from Korea
I have a university degree in Electronic Engineering from Korea and a Masters degree in Telecommunications from Australia. I worked for Samsung as a computer engineer and a consultant for about 12 years.
Before I arrived to Canada, I expected to encounter a very demanding job search climate and to spend a lot of time on work search. When I arrived here, I found that the employment situation was exactly what I expected. There are more jobs available than what are actually advertised. Companies often hire people through internal referral also, therefore, there may someone be already considered for the job even if the position has been posted.
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| Collaboration Update: YMCAs working for the future |
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There have been several key pieces of communication recently to try to help everyone better understand the collaborative relationship between the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo.
- A guest column by YMCA of Cambridge Board Chair Bruce McDonough appeared in the May 22 edition of the Cambridge Times.
- Jim Chaplin issued an open letter to members of theYMCA of Cambridge on May 15.
- A one page overview of the collaborative relationship has also been recently posted on both the YMCA of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA websites.
- An information meeting for members of the YMCA of Cambridge about the collaborative relationship between the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo has been scheduled for June 19 at 7 p.m. at the Chaplin Family YMCA at 250 Hespeler Road. The board and concerned members determined that this forum would be a better way to give this important matter the attention it is due instead of being mixed in with the other business that must be conducted at the Annual General Meeting. By having a separate meeting on this issue, we can take the time needed to review the details of the collaborative relationship and give members a chance to ask questions and express their concerns
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| More healthy choices for you and your family |
- The YMCA Ontario Early Years Centre on University Ave. E. has a special program on May 26 all day about Sun Safety. More programs can be found in the YMCA OEYC Program Guide.
- The next Wellness Seminar at the Chaplin Family YMCA is May 28 at 6 p.m.. The topic is: Lower body pathologies, such as shin splints, sciatica, chondromalacia and plantar fasciitis how to avoid/deal with them presented by Tom Eagles.
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Thank you for reading this issue of Spirit, Mind & Body. Please forward to families and friends who may be interested by using the forward feature below.
Sincerely, |
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The YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo |
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