157 Lincolnville Avenue, Belfast, Maine • 207.338.4598 • waldocountyymca.org A 501(c)3 Charitable Organization WALDO COUNTY YMCA 2022 WEEKEND FOR KIDS 20th Charity Golf Fore Kids Tournament • Sept. 23, 2022 35th A Child Shall Lead Fun Run for Children and Adults • 8 a.m. Sept. 24 at the WCY
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: giving back and providing support to our neighbors
AttheY,ourAreasofFocusare:FORYOUTHDEVELOPMENT:nurturing the potential of each child and teen FOR HEALTHY LIVING: improving the nation’s health and well being
The Y’s Promise is “To strengthen the foundation of community.
OurFourCoreValuesare:CARING: Show a sincere concern for others HONESTY: Be truthful in what you say and do
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Our Mission is to Promote the Physical, Mental, Social, DevelopmentSpiritualand of Waldo County
The WCY brings people of all ages and abilities together around programs and activities. When children from different backgrounds learn to support each other on a team or when adults who might otherwise never interact come together in an exercise class, AOA luncheon, or adult league, everyone in the community benefits. The Y makes every effort to make our programs affordable for all. Our Sustaining Sponsors, Viking, Inc, Robbins Lumber, Consumers Fuel, and First National Bank/First National Wealth Management recognize the importance of these strong bonds. Their support, combined with the generosity of individuals throughout the community, keeps this Y and this community strong.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AND FOR WALDO COUNTY.
Facebook.com/waldocountyymca
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We invite you to read about what we do and to Find Your Y! Join us as a member, donor, and friend. You make our mission possible. Thank you and Welcome to the Waldo County Y!
We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our children, our health, and our neighbors. That's why, at the Waldo County YMCA, strengthening our community is our cause.
FOR YOU, FOR WALDO COUNTY
We have nearly 2,600 members and welcome another 1,000 participants to our camps, leagues, and programs. For the younger generation, we provide training in good citizenship and life skills, as well as athletics. For families, we provide preschool and childcare so that they know their children are safe and growing. Adults of all ages find an outlet in our athletic leagues, exercise classes, and facilities. Many enjoy the free coffee and good conversation available at the end of the hall. We are a major player in developing a strong Waldo County workforce, as we employ more than 100 people over the course of a year, many of whom have never held a job before. All benefit from the welcoming staff and the sense of belonging they feel when they walk through the doors.
Bus Stop Care is geared to relieve family stress of school time and work time not aligning. We offer early drop off where children ease into the day with games, coloring, play centers and friendship. They will be escorted to the bus for a busy day of learning at school and brought back to the WCY after the last bell of the day. Our extended care hours will be spent building self-es teem, values, and leadership skills. We offer developmentally appropriate activities that will enhance your child’s confidence and encourage self-ex pression. You will know your children are growing and exploring their poten tial; they will think they are just having fun. We provide a healthy snack in line with the 5210 Let’s Go! program. We also offer care on Snow Days, Early Release Days, and In-Service Days.
Open to children 3 to 5 years old (must be potty trained and turn three by October 15)
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Preschool is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Structured class time is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
BUS STOP CARE for GRADES K - 5
We have a strong focus on early reading activities where we often engage in finding and "hearing" the letters of the day. is so important in our program; studies have found to a child for 20 minutes a day, they are more likely to become lifelong readers. (Feel free to borrow books from our class library or keep one from the free children ’ s book area.)
Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
We are excited about sharing the classroom with your children and you! Our Little Learners’ Preschool provides a safe, fun, and comfortable setting where children and their families can build positive relationships. Your child will be involved in a variety of activities such as discovery, gym-swim time, art, out door play, science, music, writing, and reading to prepare them for entry into kindergarten. Our school year will also have exciting opportunities including swim lessons, field trips, children's movement classes, and 5210 Let's Go! filled with healthy snack options.
The school year starts the day after Labor Day and ends the second week of June. We follow the RSU 71 School Calendar. When school is closed due to weather, we are also closed. Registration opens the first week of June.
LITTLE LEARNERS’ PRESCHOOL
SOME OF THE MANY ACTIVITIES TO EXPECT IN OUR BUS STOP AFTER CARE:
• Swimming: Open swim each Thursday from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Please pack a bathing suit, towel, and goggles, which are always popular.
• A Bit of Everything Clubs! There will be multiple clubs for children to choose from, each lasting one to two weeks. The clubs are not mandatory but are geared towards helping children explore their interests and/or dis cover something new! Clubs include: art club, book club, drama club, game club, Lego club, nature club, running club, and volunteering club.
our Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. A new leader is chosen every Friday.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND CHILDCARE
• Leader of the Week: The leader gets to choose the activity and game for that week. A special picture is posted on our Parent Zone Board. Leaders of the Week are chosen based on how many times a child is found following
2:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
VACATION CARE
TEEN TIME AT THE WCY Grades 6-8, Monday - Friday
Thank you for your support!
Our youth today are navigating a difficult bridge into adulthood, and we want to help them cross safely. We offer programs and services that teens want and need in a safe, healthy environment where they can develop new skills, bond with new friends, and build a foundation for the future. Dur ing the school year, youth YMCA members and TEEN ACCESS members can participate in struc tured games, enjoy a refreshing swim, learn to cook a healthy snack, shoot hoops, finish their homework, or just relax with friends. Various spe cial outings are also offered. Call Sandi Roman at 338-4598 to register.
TEEN ACCESS is made possible, in part, through the continued support of the City of Belfast, towns throughout Waldo County, and the generous sup port of our donors.
We offer care during school vacation weeks that include activities and swimming, arts & crafts, games in the gym, outdoor activities, and cooking. A schedule of events will be available prior to vaca tion weeks and any extra fees for special trips or activities will be added. See the YMCA for a list of items to bring.
CHILDREN’S DEN
7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
We plan to offer Children’s Den to Annual Mem bers. For parents who are in the building taking a class, swimming, walking, or using our weight room. YMCA caregivers will lead your child through games, crafts, stories, and activities. The WCY Children’s Den provides quality care for your children so you can enjoy your time at the YMCA. Space is limited. Please call ahead to reserve a spot for your child. Cost is $2 per hour.
Children 8 weeks to 5 years old are welcome Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - noon
Grades K-5, Monday - Friday
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FOR WELLNESS
HIIT High Intensity Interval Training is offered in 30- and 45-minute classes.
ZUMBA This 60-minute workout includes dance steps from Salsa, Cha-Cha, Samba, Merengue, and Cumbia with added hints of Calypso, Hip Hop, and Belly Dancing.
GOING STRONG This 45-minute class is for beginners and the older adult member. Coming in September, this class will also be offered at the Thorndike town office on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m.
LIFETIME FITNESS This 60-minute class is for ages 50+ or beginners. Includes aerobics, muscle strengthening, and stretching. Improve flexibility, muscle tone, coordination, balance, heart & lung efficiency.
Some class highlights are:
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We offer more than 20 different fitness class types weekly with start times ranging from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. These give everyone the chance to participate. Starting in the fall, we plan to extend our open hours to 8 p.m. on Monday – Friday and offer weekday morning Children’s Den hours for Annual Members. (We are still looking for childcare staff. Please apply if you are interested!)
Whatever your goal, the Waldo County YMCA is here to support your health journey! With a variety of fitness and health options to help you get started, we will discuss your current level, get you started, push you through to the next step, and get you all the way to your goal... then help you make a new one!
DYNAMIC DEFINITION Work your entire body for 60 minutes in full-range resistance exercises that increase strength, muscle tone, and flexibility.
We also offer TAI CHI, YOGA, PILATES, and LINE DANCING, which are excellent for improving strength and balance.
In late October, Y-INDOOR CYCLING classes will begin for the winter.
ONLINE OPTIONS Many of our classes are streamed using Facebook Live and Zoom. We also offer a full complement of online classes and challenges through Y360, which is available to all members. Scan the Y360 QR code, visit our website at www.waldocountyymca.org/group-exercise-classes, or call the Y at (207) 338-4598 for more information.
COUNTY YMCA
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WALDO GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES
Thank you for your support!
SHARE YOUR HEART WITH THE WCY We value our volunteers and their selfless commitment to the community! Current volunteers welcome people at the front desk, read to our Little Learners Preschool students, and help main tain the facility. If you enjoy the WCY and would like to make a difference, please fill out a volunteer application.
TOTALCARE,PROPERTYINC PERRY’S HOME Furnishings & Design InstrumentRauchCompany Thank you for your support!
LET'S DO LUNCH
The Waldo County YMCA ACTIVE OLDER ADULT (AOA, for Ages 50 & Better!) programs add joy to life through friendship and shared activity. Our programs accommodate a wide variety of interests and functional abilities of older adults. They include land and water exercise, sports programs, games, trips, and more! Our AOA use the WCY as a base where they spend time with old friends and make new ones through a variety of daily activities, including sharing their time and talents through volunteering. Here at the WCY, seniors have a chance to stay active and grow in spirit, mind, and body.
CALL SUE LAPHAM AT 338-4598 OR STOP IN TO HEAR MORE
FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
TAKE A TRIP WITH US A variety of trips — day, overnight, and abroad — have been part of the AOA programming since 2005. During that time, we have run more than 250 AOA trips and have led six travel-abroad programs with more than 144 participants. This year, we are off to Scotland!
FIND A FRIEND Thanks to the generosity of our Sustaining Sponsors, Viking Inc, Robbins Lumber, Consumers Fuel, and First National Bank/First National Wealth Management, we offer FREE weekday activities for seniors including: Watercolor Painting, Senior Men's Basketball, Mahjong, Badminton, Bridge, Pickle Ball, a Monthly Book Club, and Monthly Luncheon.
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The WCY hosts luncheons for folks 60 years old & better on the last Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. These lunches provide a terrific opportunity to socialize. Speakers or entertainment are provided at some luncheons. Topics range from health to social and community issues to just plain fun and entertainment.
FOR ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS
Lifeguards hired by the WCY will be reimbursed for their training.
The YMCA curriculum is divided by skills as well as by age to enhance the learning experience. Classes start for children as young as 6 months, who will be joined in the pool by an adult caregiver, and progress to school ageEverygroupings.YMCAprides itself on celebrating each swimmer’s achievements, enhancing their sense of belonging, and developing positive relationships. To foster this in our community, the WCY focuses on teaching the whole child, including integrating character lessons and our Core Values into each session.
FIRST GRADE SWIM SAFETY PROGRAM
When the Waldo County YMCA built the Tom and Sally Savage Pool Complex, we promised the community that we would offer every first grader in Waldo County the chance to learn water safety.
The Waldo County YMCA Bluefish Swim Team believes the values and skills learned in the pool transfer into great life lessons and build strong kids. Each swimmer learns, grows, and thrives by developing new skills, friendships, and self-confidence.
Now in its 12th year, this free program focuses on educating young people in ways to stay safe around aquatic environments, encouraging confidence in their ability to learn to swim and empowering the lifelong enjoyment of the water. Since 2010, the First Grade Swim Safety Program, originally funded by a grant from Bert and Coral Clifford and now incorporated into the YMCA budget, has served more than 1,900 students.
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The next training will be held October 28, 29, and 30. Call Carolyn Steeves at 3384598 or scan this QR Code to learn more or register online.
During my time as a ‘Y kid’, I always knew the WCY was a fun and welcoming place, but most importantly, had the best role models. I always looked at the lifeguards as my biggest role models because I spent so much time in the pool. This is why I am still a part of the WCY community as a ershiphonebeenguarding,Duringlifeguard.mytimeIhaveabletomylead-skills,get to know more of the community, and teach kids how to swim. I hope to have the same impact on this generation of ‘Y kids’ as a role model that the guards I looked up to had on me. Mia Winslow
FOR SWIMMERS AND SWIMMERS TO BE
The Tom and Sally Savage Pool Complex has three pools: One for lap swimming, a warm water therapy pool, and a 101° spa. In addition to the many open swim times, we offer opportunities for all ages to learn and improve their swimming, including: Swim Lessons, Bluefish Swim Team, Masters Swim, Lifeguard Certification, and a special First Grade Swim Safety program for all Waldo County Schools.
If you have questions about our Bluefish Swim Program, please contact Carolyn Steeves, Aquatics Director at csteeves@waldocountyymca.org. Visit the Bluefish Swim Team page at www.teamunify. com/YMCA-2519.
BLUEFISH SWIM TEAM
Our swim programs meet national YMCA standards, which start with safety skills that build confidence in the water. Higher levels focus on stroke mechanics and technique with a goal to give children the passion and expertise to become lifeguards or join a competitive swim team, such as our Bluefish.
SWIM LESSONS
Our swim lessons focus on the skills and tools needed to enjoy our local waters for a lifetime.
Join our free orientation week for new swimmers: Monday - Thursday, October 3 - 6, 4-5 p.m.
MASTERS SWIM
The first week of practice begins Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
Achieve your swimming and fitness goals! Join us for expert on-deck coaching, technique instruction, camaraderie, and more! For ages 18+. Meets three times a week: Monday at 5:45 a.m., Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. New session starts in October. Call the Y for more information.
LIFEGUARDING CERTIFICATION
WANT TO BECOME A BLUEFISH?
Our team is grouped by ability to provide the best swim team experience possible for our kids! This allows for a better personalized practice where each swimmer in their group will grow in skill, endurance, and confidence. The season will get underway with a parent meeting.
Each year, the WCY offers 3-5 Red Cross lifeguard certification classes. In addition to leading to in-demand employment, the skills learned will last a lifetime.
Being a lifeguard builds confidence, organizational skills and is a great way to meet people in the community.
Working at the WCY is different than many first-time jobs because it involves significant responsibility for other people. Our lifeguards literally guard lives, as well as answer questions, clean the pool deck, and keep the natatorium safe. Our camp counselors and childcare staff play a critical role in the develop ment of children’s attitudes, resilience, and confidence. These authentic leadership roles give WCY em ployees an advantage as they grow. And the skills and attitudes learned on the job provide local busi nesses with strong employees in the future.
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Working at the Y was the first ‘real’ job I’d ever had. I worked as a camp counselor. It put me in a position of responsibility for others that helped me develop my sense of leadership and what it means to serve others.
Senator Chip Curry
Thank you for your support!
WORK FORCE DEVELOMENT
The YMCA employs 45-60 full and part time workers at any time. For many, their job at the Y is the first job they have ever had. Our supervisors prioritize training and mentoring younger staff. And many of our members take the time to support the young staff. All staff have the benefit of thoughtful super visors to guide them as they develop their people skills and program specific abilities. The success of the program is evident in the number of successful adults who were once “Y Kids.”
THE WEEKEND FOR KIDS
Golf Fore Kids brings together a lot of old friends, longtime sponsors, and community mem bers for a day of social and physical activity. It also reminds everyone that our Y started to create a positive outlet for youth — first through a swim team, then a gymnastics team. Over time, we’ve added soccer, basketball, and T-ball. Camps and trips were next. When the facility was built we added Teen Time, started a preschool, and added childcare to give our children a fun, safe place to learn and grow.
A LEGACY, MAKE AN IMPACT THAT LASTS Consider including the Waldo County YMCA in your will. Call your attorney and speak with Russell Werkman at the Y.
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Over time, we added more age categories and joined the Run Belfast Race Series. Par ticipating with the community and fun have always been more important than speed. It’s a reminder that our strength as a community comes from our children.
The in our
Our Platinum and Gold sponsors, Tom and Sally Savage, Larry and Sharon Jones, Darby’s Restaurant, Belfast Dental, Cold Mountain Builders, and Bangor Savings Bank, along with all our sponsors, recognize that the strength of any community comes from its children. Their sponsorships help to keep our high-quality programs affordable for all Waldo County residents. The $15,000 we plan to raise through this weekend will ensure the quality of our children’s program amidst rising operating costs.
Waldo County YMCA does important work
the community. You can help us by joining the Y and donating to
cause. Drop off a check or donate online.
We put on the Weekend for Kids to fulfill our mission of promoting the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of children and families in Waldo County and to pursue our cause of strengthening the Waldo County Community. Our Annual Giving Campaign begins this month, too. If you wish to donate, go to www.waldocountyymca.org/#donate or call the Y at 338-4598 and ask for Russell.
The A Child Shall Lead Race goes back even further: to the early 1980s, when we were a “Y without Walls.” Jogging had come into style the decade before and parents were looking for a way to interest their children in an activity they enjoyed. Spearheaded by the Jones Fam ily, the first “A Child Shall Lead” race started at the First Church in Belfast. Dale Cross and the Waldo County Y acted as organizers. The course meandered for a mile through the residential streets and ended where it started. Children ages 7 to 13 were invited to take part, but many younger ones slipped in. Parents ran next to their children to encourage them. While some children were lauded for their fast times, all children were recognized for finishing the race.
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