Y’s 2016 annual campaign — The Y’s 2016 annual campaign will be March 31 to April 15. The goal is to raise $150,000 to provide some of the financial aid that over 2,500 kids, adults and seniors need each year to participate in programs that strengthen their minds, bodies and spirits. Every dollar donated to the Y in Greenfield, a nonprofit charity, stays local and has a lasting impact on the people of Franklin County. Donations can be sent to Annual Campaign, YMCA, 451 Main St., Greenfield MA 01301 or use the “donate” button at ymcaingreenfield.org.
Child Mental Health Course — The YMCA in Greenfield in conjunction with licensed social worker Garry L. Earles, will be offering a five-class course on child and adolescent mental health conditions and accompanying issues. The program will benefit parents, grandparents, public and private school educators, school auxiliary personnel, social workers and day care providers according to organizers. On Thursday, April 14, from 6:45 to 9 p.m., there will be a free public forum to introduce the topics that will be presented for the next five Thursdays, April 21, to May 19 from 6:45 to 9 p.m. The 12-hour course (which includes credit for the public forum) is only $125.
To register for the free public forum on April 14 or the five week course please do so in person at the Y or by calling the Y at 413-773-3646, ext. 0.
Two Free Health Talks — On Wednesday, April 13, from noon to 1 p.m., Dr. Nitya Eisenheim will be discussing “Kitchen Medicine” — how foods, herbs and spices found in your kitchen can help heal many health issues. On Monday, April 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. Deborah Yaffee, a certified consulting hypnotist will be presenting “Spring Clean Your Mind to Create Healthy Habits.” Both of these talks are free and open to the public; please call 773-3646, ext. 0 to register in advance.
Save 10% on Camps – Saturday April 9 from 10am-2pm is a special camp signup day open to the community. On April 9, the Y will deduct 10 percent from whatever people pay that day of the full price for camps and/or early and late care. This is a great time for parents to plan their children’s summer fun or a whole summer of interesting childcare. The Y has four camps with 27 themes for children ages 3½ to 14 years old. Three of the camps are indoor camps that have eight one-week sessions and there is Camp Apex, an outdoor camp, which has twelve weeks available. The 10 percent discount is only available on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more info call Dave at 773-3646 ext, 436 or see “camps” at ymcaingreenfield.org.
Early Apex June 6 to 17 – Early Camp Apex is for children ages 6 to 12 attending schools that end in early June. This year Camp Apex will be opening on June 6 for those families in need of childcare before the public schools close. The camp will be open June 6 to 10 and the following week June 13 to 17. Fee is $195 per week for Y members, $200 per week for Program Associates and $210 per week for non members. The camp day is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with early care from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and late care from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Campers will participate in arts and crafts, sports, hikes, archery and more. Parent/guardians will need to provide lunch and snacks. Dropoff and pickup is at Camp Apex. A minimum of twelve campers per week is needed to run the week of camp.
For more information please contact Dave at 773-3646, ext 436.
Summer Childcare — The YMCA has put together many exciting day camps for children ages 3 to 14. Children can choose from traditional outdoor Camp Apex with four two-week sessions plus two one-week sessions. Camp Apex will operate 10 weeks to provide several weeks of fun or a whole summer of child care. Apex also has 10 specialty camps for ages 8 to 14 that range from Star Wars to Wilderness Camp. At the YMCA campers can choose from eight weeks of Gymnastics Camp (3½ to 14), two weeks of Parkour Camp (ages 8 to 14) or two weeks of Super Hero Training for 4- to 7-year-olds. Sport camps meet in the air-conditioned gym with nine weeks to choose from ranging from basketball to Olympics to flag football. The Y also offers early care from 6:15 to 9 a.m. and late care from 4 to 6 p.m. Go to “Camps” at ymcaingreenfield.org for more details or call Dave at 773-3646, ext 436.
Doctor Referral Exercise Program — The Y’s doctor-referred 12-week wellness program formerly known as Exercise is Medicine has a new name, it is “Prescribe the Y.”
This program has helped hundreds of people heal or deal with their health issues and/or start a regular exercise program. Only the name has changed, not the programs format. Any primary care provider can refer their patients for a free consultation with a Y fitness specialist. The patient chooses one of the five tracks that will meet their health needs. Y staff follows each person during the 12 weeks to encourage them to exercise every week. There is a post-program meeting to measure and discuss health changes and decide the next step to take to continue to get healthier.
The recommendation from a primary care provider proves to be a very important part in helping participants complete this program.
The program fee is $109 with financial aid available to cover up to 70 percent of this fee.
Sliding Fee Scale/Financial Aid — The YMCA is a nonprofit charity that provides financial aid to qualified youth, adults and families for all membership categories and programs. The sliding fee scale can cover up to 70 percent of the normal fee. The scale is based on household size and total household gross income. Financial aid forms and sliding-fee scale can be found on the Y’s website ymcaingreenfield.org or picked up at the YMCA.
There is a $10 processing fee due at time of submitting paper work.