| June/July 2008 |
Vol 1, Issue 5 |
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| Greetings! |
| School is out! That's the signal for one of the YMCA's busiest periods especially for YMCA camps--both day camps and overnight camps. And while many people take advantage of the warm weather to get active outside, others take advantage of the air conditioning and swimming pools at our Family YMCA's.
Have an active, safe and healthy summer! |
| Great day camps for kids in Waterloo |
If their popularity is any indication, YMCA Camps must be fun since many are already full or close to it. But there are still some excellent chances for your kids to experience the benefits of a YMCA Camp--especially if you live or work on the west side of Waterloo or near RIM Park. Day camps at these sites still have space for kids looking for days filled with adventure but who get home in time for supper. To learn more, visit the KW YMCA website.
In Cambridge, many camps are full but some still have spaces such as the Simply Scrapping specialty camp.
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| Building healthy communities by building strong kids - Annual Reports |
Annual reports for the YMCA of Cambridge and the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA were released at each YMCA's Annual General Meeting on May 29. They focus on the many ways that each YMCA contributes to the health of our communities by building strong kids. While each officially reports on 2007, they also reflect what we're doing in 2008 and into the future.
A donor report is included to thank donors to each YMCA. Thank you to everyone who supports our efforts and create opportunities for kids and families in Cambridge or in Kitchener-Waterloo. | |
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Summer Reading Program: June 27 - August 29 |
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Presented By: YMCA Ontario Early Years and Coles Fairview Park Mall
Read all Summer
& Earn Great Prizes!
Come join us at the:
YMCA Ontario Early Years Centre
425 University Ave East, Waterloo
Reading Wrap Up Celebration
Aug. 29, 2008 9-12 p.m.
- Story telling by children's author Pamela Edwards
- Collect Prizes
- Illustrations by David Okum
To learn more, call: 519-741-8585 or visit: www.earlyyearsinfo.ca |
| My Daughter's Week at YMCA Camp by Colleen McNichol |
My daughter, Kathy, was an extremely bright girl but she was painfully shy. She took refuge in books and you would always find her hiding behind one to avoid social situations that were very painful to her.
Despite her intelligence, her shyness inhibited the development of self confidence. The second of four children, she was a responsible little girl but her free time was always spent alone. I worried about her spending so much time alone. She didn't take part in many activities because she didn't feel like she belonged.
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| YMCA Strong Kids Campaign helps send kids to camp |
 Hundreds of kids will experience the power of YMCA Camps to transform their lives. They will go to one of our day camps or overnight camps and have experiences that they otherwise would not have. A great feature of YMCA Camps is that we open our camps to kids whose families can not afford them by providing financial assistance. Help us to help them.
Help send a kid to camp!
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.
The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign also help kids and families access programs at our Family YMCAs all year long! |
| Stay Fit for Life: Diet - A Four Letter Word? |
by Dave Patterson, BSc (Kin), MTS
A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA Volunteer
Summertime is fast approaching, which for many people means trimming down for the beach. So amidst all the "waist management" options, what are some fundamental principles to follow?
1. No Dieting. Diet is not a four-letter word (if you know what I mean)! I have a healthy diet; I am not on a diet. If we adopt a healthy lifestyle, then we never really fall on or off the wagon nor succumb to fads and quick schemes.
2. Variety is Key. Don't settle for the same soup or bar or shake at every meal. Unless a special medical condition like diabetes needs to be considered, then let's follow Canada's Food Guide and enjoy all the delicious food choices available. Good things grow in Ontario!
3. Reality Check. Setting realistic, short-term goals will maximize success and keep us from aiming too high or growing discouraged.
4. Regular Intake. The best first step to healthier eating is to not skip meals. Let's make time for breakfast, plan ahead with healthy snacks (fresh fruit, veggies or granola) between meals, and not leave all our eating to super-sized suppers or late evening binging.
Have a safe and healthy summer. Remember: stay fit for life!
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| 620 more kids gain access to YMCA Recreation and Summer Camps in Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo thanks to grant from Ministry of Health Promotion |
| YMCAs in Ontario receive $1.25 million from provincial government to build strong kids
Children's physical activity habits are formed by age 11 and last the rest of their lives. In order to get children and youth active, the Ontario Government is providing $1.25 million to the YMCAs of Ontario to help kids lead healthier lives.
This generous investment by the Ministry of Health Promotion to YMCA Strong Kids Campaigns will enable YMCAs and YMCA-YWCAs across Ontario to provide access to recreation and summer camps to over 10,000 children and youth from low-income families.
"We're very excited about this opportunity to reach more kids who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford the full cost of participation in a YMCA program or activity," says John Haddock, CEO of the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo. "As part of our work as a charity, we already remove financial barriers to participation for hundreds of children and families. The grants received by our YMCAs mean that we'll be able to help even more kids establish healthy habits to last a lifetime than we have in the past."
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| Amanda Florez the Ultimate Survivor in Z Fundraiser |
 The Z Beside the Y held its 24 Hour Survivor Challenge on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Nineteen youth spent 24 hours on a school bus in front of Chaplin YMCA and competed to stay on the bus. They could win prizes like Microplay or movie gift certificates or win immunity. Sincere thanks to the seven dedicated youth who spent six months planning the event with Jennifer Colwell, the Youth Centre Supervisor. Fourteen volunteers helped out at the event running challenges such as fear factor and racing on the track. Like the television show Survivor, tribes were created, teams competed, tribal council was attended and the Ultimate Survivor was crowned. Thirteen year old Amanda Florez won $150 cash and was declared the Ultimate Survivor.
Thanks to all the Chaplin staff and members who bought hotdogs or sausages from our teens on Saturday, or who pledged their support for youth to participate. Together, we raised $2000 for the Z beside the Y youth programs.
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| Government funding announcements for YMCA Cross Cultural & Immigrant Services |
On May 12, the provincial government announced support Business Quest a joint Lutherwood and YMCA program that assists newcomers interested in pursuing self employment. Read the Waterloo Region Record's May 13 article. In Cambridge, a Newcomer Settlement Program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration has been added to the YMCA Cross Cultural & Immigrant Services. It helps newcomers (including refugees and Canadian citizens) become fully engaged in all aspects of Canadian life. The program shares a staff member with the YMCA Host Mentorship program (funded through the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network). |
| Collaboration Update: Member Information Meeting held in Cambridge |
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An information meeting for members of the YMCA of Cambridge about the collaborative relationship between the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo was held on June 19 at the Chaplin Family YMCA. The meeting featured a good exchange of ideas including a chance for concerns to be expressed and for the details of the relationship to be clarified. In contrast to the impression left by the media, the meeting ended on a cautiously optimistic note to give the relationship a chance to prove it can do more and do it better as promised.
An article in the Waterloo Region Record was a reasonbly accurate reflection of the first half of the meeting. Unfortunately, the reporter was unable to stay for the more positive ending to the meeting. The article's headline as printed mistakenly referred to the relationship as a merger so the paper changed the online headline the same day and a correction was issued on June 23. The Record also published an editorial that was gernerally supportive of our partnership. Lost in translation through these articles was the fact that both YMCAs are strong and healthy and joining together to ensure they will continue to be able to meet the needs of their communities.
The meeting was organized in part by Cambridge's Member Communication Committee. The committee had compiled a list of questions. Many were addressed at the meeting and responses to the rest are being prepared.
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| Waterloo Region Record's 5th Annual: Readers' Select Awards |
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The Waterloo Region Record is currently accepting nominations for its annual Readers' Select Award. Readers will vote in August for their favourite nominee with the final results announced in September. There are three categories that you may like to nominate the YMCA: Recreation Facility, Fitness Club - Co-ed and Daycare Facility. Nominations close July 5. | |
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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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