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 twelve 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 preregister.
Summer Fun for Kids ages 3-14 — Now is the 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 3.5-14 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. For more info call Dave at 773-3646 ext 436 or see “camps” at ymcaingreenfield.org.
Early Apex June 6-17 — Early Camp Apex is for children ages 6-12 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 6-10 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. Drop-off and pick-up 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 3.5-14. Children can choose from traditional outdoor Camp Apex with four two-week sessions plus two one-week sessions. Camp Apex will operate ten weeks to provide several weeks of fun or a whole summer of childcare. Apex also has ten specialty camps for ages 8-14 that range from Star Wars to Wilderness Camp. At the YMCA campers can choose from eight weeks of Gymnastics Camp (ages 3.5-14), two weeks of Parkour Camp (ages 8-14) 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.
Nutrition Program — This new Y program will be taught by Cara Leonard, a Master of Science in Nutrition student at UMass. Cara will cover a different nutrition topic each week over the eight-week course. There will be weekly weigh-ins and each participant must keep a weekly food journal. This course will help the participants take charge of their eating habits. The course runs from April 25 to June 20 on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Fees: Y members $59 and Y program associates and nonmembers $159 which includes a two month Y membership. Call Jayne at 773-3646, ext 448 for more info.