New Year’s Resolution Solutions from the Hunterdon County YMCA: Joining Fee Waived January 1-8

The New Year is a time for new beginnings! For the Y – a leading nonprofit that strengthens community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility – one of the most important resolutions is to resolve to make positive changes that strengthen individuals as well as entire communities. To encourage local residents to make a positive change by joining the Y, the Hunterdon County YMCA is waiving its joining fee from January 1 through January 8. Families can save up to $105 during this week.


Following are five New Year’s Resolutions the Y recommends for 2012:

1. Live Healthier – Achieving greater health and well-being is all about taking small steps. Take care of your health by eating nutritious foods and being physically active each day – experts recommend 30 minutes of daily physical activity for adults and 60 minutes for kids. This can be achieved throughout the day by incorporating physical activity into your daily routines (i.e., taking stairs instead of elevators, walking instead of driving, etc.) The Y offers many fun opportunities for individuals and families to be active. Visit www.hcymca.org to learn more.

2. Volunteer – Doing good feels good, and giving back to support neighbors benefits everyone involved. Volunteering also provides individuals the opportunity to meet new people and to develop new relationships. Find an opportunity in your community that you may enjoy, such as cleaning your neighborhood park or distributing food at a local food bank. To learn about volunteer opportunities at the Hunterdon County YMCA contact Volunteer Program Administrator Kathy Martini at 908-236-7879 x 14.


3. Help Inspire Children and Teens, Be a Mentor – Children and teens often need caring adults to look up to and seek guidance. By nurturing our youth, we can help them strive to accomplish success and reach their full potential. Whether a relative or neighbor, use your experience and talent to help youth realize who they are and what they can be. The Hunterdon County YMCA offers a variety of mentoring programs. Learn more at www.hcymca.org.

4. Learn Something New – Step out of your comfort zone, have fun and grow by exploring personal interests. Is there a swimming, Zumba or painting class you’ve always wanted to take? Try something new that you’ve always wanted to do, to build your spirit, mind or body. Find opportunities at the Hunterdon County YMCA.


5. Spend Time with Family and Friends – Socializing is good for your well-being and spending time with the people you care most about really helps strengthen meaningful relationships. It also helpful to have a community of people you can reach out to during times of need. So, try to carve out time each month, depending on your schedule, to connect with family and friends, and to get involved with community organizations, such as the Hunterdon County YMCA.


For more information visit www.hcymca.org. To take advantage of the no joining fee offer, stop by either branch of the Hunterdon County YMCA from January 1 through January 8 and speak with a member services representative. The Hunterdon County YMCA’s branches are located at 144 West Woodschurch Road, Flemington and 1410 Route 22, Annandale.

New Programs for 2012 at the Hunterdon County YMCA

The Winter Session of classes at the Hunterdon County YMCA begins on January 9 and will run through February 26. Open registration begins on December 11. A wide variety of classes and programs have been added for the Winter Session.

Beginning in January the Hunterdon County YMCA will offer Group Core, a 30 minutes group exercise class. Benefits include a strong core, improved athletic performance, and prevention of back pain. Participants use their body weight, weight plates, a towel and a platform.

Also new at the Y for 2012 is Tai Chi (Taiji-Quam Style). Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system of exercise created for the purpose of achieving a healthy balance between spirit, mind and body. Benefits include improved health, memory, and ability to focus, stress reduction, self-control and artistic expression.

LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is a new twelve-week program for cancer survivors. Participants increase strength and endurance with certified LIVESTRONG instructors. There is no cost for this program and it is open to members and non-members.

For those at high risk for type 2 diabetes, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can help adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle that will help reduce the chances of developing diabetes. In a classroom setting, a trained lifestyle coach will help facilitate a small group of participants in learning about healthier eating, physical activity and other behavior changes over the course of 16 one-hour sessions. After the initial 16 core sessions, participants meet monthly for added support to help maintain progress.

The YMCA has teamed up the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (Dept. of Homeland Security) to provide a hands-on course, called Paddle Sports America. Classroom and pool components will cover boating safety, boating rules of the road, water rescue and more. Presented by a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Officer and an experienced YMCA boating instructor. Course fee includes pool time, books and handouts. Parents are encouraged to participate with the children. Scout Groups welcome!

For the home schooled child, the Y will offer Home School Physical Education program on Tuesdays from 1:00-3:00 pm. The PE program includes one hour of sports, games and basic physical education exercises. Participants will also have one-hour of free swim.

YMCA instructor Miss Terri will lead a new class for children ages 4 to 6 called Rockin in the USA. Each week children will “visit” a different state and learn new games, sports and activities specific to each state. This class will be offered at both the Deer Path and Round Valley Branches.

A Triathlon Training Program will begin in February.


The Y will host a Valentines Party and Open House on February 12 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Deer Path Branch. This free event, which is open to the entire community, will feature a moon bounce, open swimming, and an appearance from NJ 101.5 FM.

For more information, or to view the Winter Program Guide online visit www.hcymca.org . The Hunterdon County YMCA is a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.