CHECK OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE Y! RSS Feed
Take some time to see what the Y is doing to help your community.
-
Give a Glove Campaign Kick Off
Posted May 14, 2012 in
{image_1} By Andy Page, Executive Director, David D. Hunting YMCA
My love of baseball is a passion of mine: just ask my wife of 22 years and my kids. I don’t just play baseball; I am hooked on all of the sights and sounds, even the smell of baseball.
I can almost taste the infield dirt as the wind moves through the dugout, and hear the shadowy resonance of a hard slide into third. The crack of the bat as the ball rockets... Read More
-
Do you have what it takes to be a camp counselor?
Posted April 30, 2012 in
{image_1} By Greg Dodd, Executive Director, YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin
As our Camp Manitou-Lin staff reviews this year’s crop of camp counselors, I am struck by how many return year-after-year and how many were at one time campers themselves. The qualities and personal commitment of a camp counselor goes way past just wanting a summer job outdoors on Barlow Lake.
A counselor’s role in a camper’s life goes to the heart of what I call, “Whistles and Wisdom”. The whistle symbolizes structure, the... Read More
-
Annual Suits From Suits Program Kicks Off!
Posted April 23, 2012 in
Grand Rapids, MI – The Paul Goebel Group has joined with the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids for the fifth year in a row to sponsor Suits From Suits, an innovative program to collect and distribute gently used swimsuits for boys and girls, ages 6 to 10, so that children will have the proper swimwear needed to participate in YMCA aquatics programs. {image_1} Meg Goebel, President of the Paul Goebel Group, states, “It’s estimated that the approximately 15,000* children, ages 6 to 10, who live in the core city of Grand Rapids, have never taken a... Read More
-
Boot Camp for Bridal Parties: Getting In Shape for Summer “I Do’s”
Posted April 16, 2012 in
{image_1} By Megan Rich, Health Wellness and Outreach Director, Wolverine World Wide Family YMCA
When I walked down the aisle on my wedding day in 2010, I remember looking up at how well my bridal party fit into those dresses. It took tough workouts to get my bridal party to feel and look their best on the most memorable day of my life.
So as the health and wellness director for the Wolverine World Wide Family YMCA, I decided after seeing the positive results from my... Read More
-
The Y Welcomes Tom Rademacher!
Posted April 11, 2012 in
Dear Friends,
It’s my pleasure to introduce you to one of the newest members of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, although you’re just as likely to see him with a pen and pad in hand as you are a basketball or set of weights. Tom Rademacher is one of the most respected writers in all of West Michigan and beyond, and throughout the rest of this year, he’ll be penning stories for The Y to help create an awareness of how our organization is so... Read More
-
Daycare: Accreditation VS Licensing
Posted April 09, 2012 in
{image_1} By Heather Walczewski, Child Development Director, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
When I attend a party with my husband and I tell parents I operate a child development center at the Y, the questions start flying at me from all directions; they want the inside scoop that goes past the flyers and website tips. Parents love their children so entrusting them to a child care facility is fraught with concerns.
Far and away the number one question parents ask me is, “What is the... Read More
-
Spartan Stores March Q&A
Posted March 21, 2012 in
General FacilityComment: Please open the Spartan Stores YMCA on Sundays before noon. 10:00am would be better, but noon is way too late! Staff Response: The David D Hunting YMCA has earlier Sunday hours for your convenience. With your membership here at the Spartan Stores YMCA you can visit any YMCA in the Greater Grand Rapids Association!
Comment: I like it when you play Christian music :) Staff Response: Thank you; we include that in our rotation of music genres throughout the... Read More
-
Member Attire
Posted March 21, 2012 in
As a reminder – Shirts and shoes throughout the building except the pool areas. Members and guests must wear exercise apparel that covers the midriff. Clothing or accessories must have appropriate graphics and/or language reflective of a family focused facility. T-shirts, tank tops, and sleeveless t-shirts are all permissible. Athletic and/or closed toe shoes must be worn at all times. Boots, hardsurfaced shoes, flip flops, or open toed shoes cannot be worn in any exercise area. Shoes that have been worn outside are not allowed in the pool areas. Swimsuits... Read More
-
Pool Rules Addendum
Posted March 21, 2012 in
Children under the age of 8 who have not passed the swim test must have an adult in the water, no further than arms-length away. Children under the age of 8 who have passed the swim test must have adult/guardian supervision on the deck. Children age 8 and older who have not passed the swim test must wear a life jacket and remain in the shallow end of the pool. If parent/guardian is accompanying the child, they must remain within an arms reach of the adult/guardian while in the pool. Children age 8... Read More -
GRYMCA Launches the Best Y Website in U.S.
Posted February 27, 2012 in
For the past 18 months, the Grand Rapids Y teams have spent 1,700 hours collaborating with local vendors to develop and launch what has come to be one of the most sophisticated and user-friendly YMCA websites in the world. This is one of the most interactive websites ever launched by any Y anywhere in the 129 countries the Y’s are located.
Cyndy Vogt, Marketing & Communications Director, for the Greater Grand Rapids Y said, “Y teams collaborated with local vendors to develop and launch what has come to be one of... Read More