Register Now for the Spring II Sports and Aquatics Session!

Session begins April 26, 2010

Now registering for Camp Phoenix Summer Camp!

LIFESAVING CLASS

A Lifesaving Classes Course will be held April 9, 10, 11, 16, & 18, at the YMCA. Cost is $200. Call Aquatics Director Judy Rostkowski for more information at 570-655-2255 ext. 106.

  Jefferson Park Beautification Day Saturday, April 10

     The Greater Pittston YMCA is hosting a Park Beautification Day on April 10 at Jefferson Park.

     The Y and Landmark Bank adopted the park in February. The park cleanup is being headed by YMCA Childcare Director Ronide Louis-Hypolite, who hopes to use the park for future YMCA functions.

     “During the summer we are going to host our summer camp, Camp Phoenix, at the park,” said Hypolite. “We also plan on doing a variety of special events at the park including a Mother’s Day Brunch and a Grandparents’ Brunch. The special events will be open to all members of the community.”

      While the YMCA has big plans for the park, Hypolite said work needs to be done on Jefferson Park to “spruce it up.” She is hoping the April 10^th clean-up will restore the park to pristine condition.  However, volunteers are needed to make the cleanup a success.

      “Volunteers are needed to cleanup debris around the park, garden, pull weeds and paint,” said Hypolite. “We are asking volunteers to bring their own tools for the cleanup. We are also asking for individuals to donate blue and pink paint, which will be used for the park’s bathrooms.”   

      Hypolite said the park has a lot of potential. Jefferson Park offers basketball courts, a picnic area, playground and pavilion for community members to enjoy.

        Jefferson Park is located on New Street in Pittston. The April 10 Cleanup will take place from 8 to 12 p.m. If you would like to volunteer, stop by Jefferson Park Saturday, April 10!

      “It is going to be beautiful,” said Hypolite. “Pittston is a beautiful city. Now we will have a beautiful park that will benefit all of the community.”

ZUMBA!

       Tired of the same old exercise routine the Greater Pittston YMCA has the answer.

     Zumba premiered at the YMCA this month and is quickly growing in popularity. The Latin and international inspired dance-fitness routine is taught by certified instructor Jessica Sands. Participants work out to Latin and African beats during the one-hour class, she said.

     “It is fitness in disguise,” said Sands. “Pretty much it is a party. You are just dancing. It is things you wouldn’t do in a normal class. You don’t realize you are exercising.”

     Still the one-hour class provides a serious calorie burn, said Sands. “You burn 600 calories,” she said. Dance moves are combines with aerobic moves such as squats and curls to provide the high impact workout, she said.

    “It is suppose to be fun.  We love it,” said Sands.

     Sands insists that Zumba is not your average workout.  She often finds participants clapping, cheering and talking during the class. The party atmosphere drew Sands to the Zumba arena.

     Sands has been teaching Zumba locally for about eight months. Before she was an instructor, she was a student. “I took my first class and got addicted,” she said.

    Classes are held Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 11:45 a.m. at the YMCA.  More classes are soon to come, said Program Director Michael Riddle. Zumba is the latest in a series of aerobics, yoga and spin classes taught at the Y.

     “It is something that everyone can do; every shape, every size,” said Sands.

THE Wilkes-Barre & Greater Pittston YMCAs  Host HEALTHY KIDS® DAY, APRIL 17

     As part of a nationwide effort to encourage kids to get moving, the Wilkes-Barre and Greater Pittston YMCAs will host Healthy Kids Day, the nation’s largest health day for kids and families. YMCA Healthy Kids Day is filled with fun, engaging and creative activities that foster healthy living, and is a part of the YMCA’s larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the public.

    YMCA Healthy Kids Day will be held at the Wilkes-Barre YMCA, 40 Northampton St, Wilkes-Barre, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will provide resources to help educate grown-ups about making healthy choices for their families every day. Swimming, healthy snacks, and a variety of activities will be available for children. Area vendors will also be on hand to support the event.

     “Keeping kids healthy is at the core of what the Wilkes-Barre and Greater Pittston YMCAs stands for,” said Debby Mendicino, Greater Pittston YMCA executive director. “The word ‘exercise’ doesn’t sound very enjoyable to many people, especially kids, but getting them to move more through play that requires physical activity is the key to building healthy habits that last a lifetime. On YMCA Healthy Kids Day, both kids and grown-ups will have the opportunity to get moving, to play and to have fun.”

     This is the first year Wilkes-Barre and Pittston have partnered for the event, Mendicino said. Both organizations have taken great strides to promote healthy lifestyles for youths at their facilities, offering a variety of programs including boxing, karate, and Y Fit Kid.

     Experts recommend that kids engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity, including active play, each day. Studies show that kids who consistently engage in play are happier and healthier, and develop and enhance a variety of skills including motor skills, social skills, problem solving, and creativity. Kids who get 60 minutes of physical play also tend to have higher self-esteem and perform better academically.

    “The goal of encouraging kids to play more is to build a lifetime of love for physical activity,” said Mendicino. “Play should not seem like a chore – it is an activity that is fun and brings joy, and allows a kid to just be a kid.”

The Greater Pittston YMCA Hours of Operation

Monday to Thursday - 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday - 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday - 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New Hours Beginning April 26

Monday thru Friday - 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday - 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.