Info Night for Leaders Clubs — On Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m. parents and students are invited to find out more about the Y’s two Leaders Clubs. The Junior Leaders Club is for 10- to 12-year-olds and the Teen Leaders Club is for 13- to 17-year-olds. Both clubs meet on the first and third Wednesdays at 6 p.m. for training, planning and fun. Every club member volunteers each month, helping with youth programs and special Y events. For more information, call Dave at 413-773-3646, ext 436. The yearly club fee is $25, plus a small amount for the monthly “fun” club events.
Walk for Wellness Team Program — This six-week team program is designed primarily for low- to mid-level walkers/exercisers and runs September 27 through November 7. Teams of five will measure their “steps” each week using a pedometer, Fitbit, etc., and then record them on walkfranklincounty.org. Find four friends, create a team name, register on the Walk Franklin County website and pay the $15 per person fee at the Y or by calling 413-773-3646, ext. 0. At the victory party on November 10, prizes will be awarded to the top teams and individual steppers. See walkfranklincounty.org for more details or call Jayne at 413-773-3646, ext. 448.
Y Preschool Registration — The YMCA operates a full-day for children ages 2.9 to 5 years old 50 weeks a year. Parents can choose from two-, three-, and five-day options. Early and/or late care is available along with snow day care. The school has two modern classrooms and an outdoor play yard but also utilizes the Y’s pool, gymnastics center and gym for daily activities. Parents of five-day/50-week enrollees also get a free Silver Family YMCA membership. Parents should call Lisa Jackson, the school’s director, at 413-773-3646, ext. 431, to schedule a visit and tour. The school accepts voucher funding and the Y has some financial aid available.
Weight Loss Team Challenge — The Y’s first weight loss team challenge of this program year, “Dashing All The Weigh,” begins October 4. This nine-week program is for those serious about losing weight. The program includes fitness intakes before the program starts, nine weeks of coaching by an exercise trainer, weekly weigh-ins, food journaling and required strength and cardio workouts each week. Go to ymcaingreenfield.org and see page 18 of “Brochure” for more details. Program fee is $125 for Y members and $170 for non-members. Sign up now, as space is limited to 36 people.
Tai Chi for Diabetes — Tai Chi for Diabetes is easy to learn and will help reduce stress, while improving muscle strength, balance, heart/lung function and flexibility. Created by family physician and Tai Chi master, Dr. Paul Lam, to help prevent and improve the control of diabetes (pre-diabetics and diabetics) and is based on the Yang and Sun styles of Tai Chi. Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Y Wellness Center. Free for Y members and $10 per day for all others.
Gently Used Clothing Needed — The Y’s 8th annual “Free Clothing Store” is October 5 from 1 to 7 p.m. and October 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A lot of clean, gently used clothing of all sizes and any season are needed, especially children’s clothing. Donations may be dropped of in the Y lobby beginning Sept. 23. Volunteers are needed Oct. 4 and 5 to sort, fold and organize all of the donations. Call Jayne at 413-773-3646, ext 448, for more info.
Noodle Cardio Mix — This new class features a high energy aqua aerobic workout with hand-held noodles, choreography that provides toning and cardio as well as side lying (supported) movement that challenges the core. Sign up at the Welcome Center. Come and enjoy a challenging and fun aqua noodle workout! Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:15 to 3 p.m. until Oct. 27. Fees are $56 for Y members and $72 for program associates. Call Pam at 413-773-3646, ext. 427, for more information.
Child Watch — The Y provides low-cost childcare for children ages eight weeks to six years old while their parents are exercising at the Y. The room has fun play stations, and the staff conducts age appropriate activities. The service is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 7:45 to 9:45 a.m. There is a 90-minute maximum per visit. Monthly bank draft fees for Y members can be set up for eight, 12, 16 or 20 visits per month. The drop in fee is $7 per visit; call 413-773-3646, ext. 0, for more info.