GREENFIELD —The 13th annual YMCA Girls Day Out is back and bigger and better, according to the staff.
On Sunday, Jan. 27, from noon to 3 p.m., the YMCA is holding a special free event for girls ages 10 to 100.
“Girls, women, mothers and grandmothers of all ages are invited to come and pamper themselves on Sunday,” YMCA Health and Wellness Director Dawn Dorsey said.
“Participants will have the opportunity to try a variety of group exercise classes from noon to 3 p.m., including Pound at 12:30, Grove Together (dance fitness) at 1, Zumba at 1:30 and yoga at 2:15,” she said. “There will be 30-minute introduction spinning classes at 12:30, 1 and 1:30, she said, while adult girls (ages 15 and older) may soak in the jacuzzi, lap swim and have a free chair massage. Girls ages 10 and older will be able to try scuba at 1:30 p.m. and kayaking with Zoar at 2:15.”
Fitness Director Jayne Trosin said 42 local vendors who specialize in products and services important to women will be present. Some of the products are jewelry, cookware, make-up, footcare, bone density screening, handbags, candles and tarot card reading.
Trosin said from 1 to 2 p.m., there will be presentation on MiCoachee which is a motivational phone app. Attendees can also learn about the Y’s many social responsibility projects and volunteer opportunities.
Executive Director Bob Sunderland said, “2019 is the 130th year of YMCA programming in Franklin County and the 80th year we have been on Main Street. If you look at old Y program guides, you will see similar programs, decade after decade, like Camp Apex, swimming and youth sports. You will also see the transformation of our Y to the nonprofit wellness center it is today.”
Sunderland said the majority of the YMCA’s adult programs are geared toward health seekers, families and seniors, and its newest program, M.I.G.H.T.Y., is a youth weight management program. There is also the 8-year-old Prescribe the Y program, where more than 70 primary care providers refer about 800 patients to the YMCA each year for a free consultation to lose weight, get healthier or heal or deal with chronic pain.
“Girls Day Out is for girls ages 10 to 100, but girls ages 10 to 14 must be with an adult female relative or guardian,” Trosin said. “The Game Room/Kid Fit center will be available for free supervised play for boys and girls ages 5 to 12. The Game Room is full of old-fashioned games for children to play. Child Watch for ages 2- to 4-year-olds will also be open. The Kid Fit Center has Wii and strength and cardio machines, so kids can get regular exercise.”
“Women spend so much time taking care of others, they put their own needs on the back burner,” Dorsey said. “This event is designed to show women that exercise/wellness is fun, they can take the time to do it, and they will be comfortable at the YMCA regardless of their age, ability or body type. Our YMCA makes it easy for mothers to exercise, because they can bring their children to the Y at the same time for their own programs, exercise, or to play in our Game Room/Kid Fit Center. Our Y also has a wonderful low-cost babysitting program for infants to 5 year olds.”
Because their children are taken care of, moms can relax and do their own workouts in the same trip to the Y saving time and gas, she said.
“Our YMCA, being a nonprofit charity, offers a generous sliding fee scale that can cover up to 70 percent of membership or program fees, Dorsey said. “For example, a single adult could pay around $13 per month for unlimited use of the Y, or a household of four could pay only $20 per month.”
Girls Day Out is free and open to the public. There will be $500 in door prizes. Refreshments will be sold by the YMCA’s Gymnastics Team, and proceeds will help the team purchase equipment. The first 100 people may enter to win $100.
For more information, call 413-773-3646 or visit: www.ymcaingreenfield.org