During adolescence, teens develop habits -- good or bad -- that will last for the rest of their lives. As parents, we would like to be able to ensure those habits are healthy ones. But adolescence is also the time teens begin spending more and more time away from home, and the influence of peers increases and the influence of family decreases.

Helping children learn healthy habits is a fundamental part of our mission. At the Y, we have developed programs that engage teens and teach them life and leadership skills, while providing them independence in a safe environment.

• Our Teen Leaders' Club provides teens ages 12-18 with the knowledge, training, and opportunity to shape a healthy lifestyle with a focus on service, academics, good health, and leadership. For more information, click here.
• Saturday Night Lights begins in March! We'll open the Y on a Saturday night each month, just for kids in grades 6 - 12. They will play games, shoot hoops, swim, or just hang out together in the lobby. These teen nights are open to both Y members and the larger community, but do require registration. 

For more information about these or other youth programs, please contact Heather Springfield, Youth and Family Program Director, at heather.springfield@peninsulaymca.org , or 757-229-9622.

Join us as we invite members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to participate in our Veteran Appreciation event on February 14, at 12:30 PM. We have invited a guest speaker, and light refreshments will be served. Please help us show our gratitude to those who have given so much of themselves for our country. 

The best investments in helping children grow are made in early childhood, when they have the greatest impact, and the strength of any foundation determines how sound all later advancements will be. The Y offers a high-quality child care program as part of our ongoing mission to help families lay a strong foundation for their children.

The YMCA Child Development Center at Colonial Williamsburg provides a play-based curriculum to offer challenging activities in all developmental areas. It includes sharing and conversation, stories, songs and finger plays, creative art and crafts activities, large muscle activities, cooking projects and exposure to shapes, numbers, colors and letters.

The CDC is open Monday - Friday, 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM, and offers care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. For more information, click here, or contact Stephanie Meitz, Preschool Director, at stephanie.meitz@peninsulaymca.org or 757-220-7045.

Tired of the winter weather and looking for something new to do? We've got some great programs starting over the next several weeks for kids and families.

First, come try our new Kids' Cardio class on Tuesday, February 11, at 6:30 PM. Kids ages 5 and up will have a great time getting active and learning new skills. No registration necessary. 

Martial Arts comes to our Y in March with TaeKwonDo, open to ages 6 and up. Classes run Tuesdays or Saturdays, and require registration. Click here for more information.

Our first Family Fun Night is on February 28, at 6:00 PM. Enjoy some fun family time while you float in the pool and watch a great flick. Click here for more information.

Don't forget our old favorites, the Yoga Club Kids on Wednesday nights, and our Youth Strength Club on Monday nights. This month's Kids' Night Out is February 21. Swim lessons begin again on February 24; click here for more information about registration dates. 

A healthy lifestyle has never been easier or more fun for the whole family!