Hunterdon County YMCA Helps Preschoolers Get off to the Right Start

(March 12, 2010) - The Hunterdon County YMCA operates half-day preschool programs in Clinton and Milford for children ages 2 ½ to 5 years and a full-day Child Care and Learning Center in Annandale for children ages 6 months to five years. Registration is currently being accepted for the preschool programs for the 2010/2011 school year. In addition, limited spaces are available for spring enrollment at the full-day Child Care and Learning Center.

The YMCA’s early education programs utilize the nationally recognized Creative Curriculum to prepare children for grade school. The YMCA also incorporates it values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into its daily activities. As an Activate America YMCA, health and wellness are emphasized in early education programs.

So that all children have access to these programs, financial assistance is available to qualified applicants. Families interested in applying for financial assistance for the YMCA’s half-day preschool programs or full-day childcare programs can obtain an application at the Deer Path or Round Valley Branch of Hunterdon County YMCA or online at www.hcymca.org. Funds for the financial assistance program are made possible through generous donations to the Strong Kids Campaign. The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign provides the funds that allow the YMCA to offer membership and program assistance each year. All contributions to the Campaign remain in our local community, giving children and families a chance to grow stronger in spirit, mind and body at the YMCA. In 2009, nearly 30% of the children participating in YMCA early education programs were able to do so through financial assistance.

For more information about preschool and childcare programs at the Hunterdon County YMCA, contact Carla Myer, Early Childhood Education Director, at 908-236-0055, ext. 23.

Special Program For Teens at the Hunterdon County YMCA

Hunterdon County YMCA teen volunteers planned an event for teens, a presentation by YMCA board member and Olympic Gold Medalist (Rowing, Athens, 2004) Jason Read, “How To Achieve Your Gold Medal Dreams – My Journey From The Hunterdon County YMCA To The Olympic Games.” The event was held Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the YMCA Deer Path Branch. All proceeds benefited the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign, a scholarship fund for those who otherwise would not be able to afford YMCA programs and services. This year’s theme for the campaign is “Going for the Gold.”


Pictured left to right: Cyrene Dalman, Lindsey Arnold, Jason Read, Kristin Pargeans, Norah Mardini, Dale Hammond

Special Program For Teens at the Hunterdon County YMCA

Special Program For Teens at the Hunterdon County YMCA
What It Takes to Achieve Your Gold Medal Dreams
My Journey from the Hunterdon County YMCA to the Olympic Games
Presented By Jason Read, Olympic Rowing Gold Medalist

Sponsored By The Hunterdon County YMCA Strong Kids Campaign
100 % Off All Proceeds Goes To The YMCA Scholarship Fund

SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2010 • 1:30-3:00 PM
Deer Path Branch of the Hunterdon County YMCA
144 W. Woodschurch Rd.
Flemington, NJ 08822

$10 Students
Tickets On Sale at the Deer Path and Round Valley Branches of the Hunterdon County YMCA. For more information, please call 908-236-7879 x 14.

About Jason Read:
Jason grew up in Ringoes, NJ. He was a member of the HCYMCA Stingrays and from there his love of being in the water grew. From swimming he turned to rowing as an eighth grader at The Hun School in Princeton which earned him a scholarship and spot on the rowing team at Temple University. He began volunteering at Amwell Valley Rescue Squad at age 14. He spent time washing trucks and fund-raising until age 16, when he was old enough to ride in an ambulance. At age 21, he became youngest chief of a fire or rescue unit in the state. After learning what had happened on Sept 11, 2001, Jason joined a task force of rescue units at Liberty State Park to set up staging area and field hospital along with other units. As rescuers struggled to determine jurisdictions in the face of such a massive disaster, Jason was appointed communications commander for all units inbound from New Jersey. From that nightmare Jason emerged with a stronger faith and will. On the starting line as the bowman of the US Olympic Men’s Eight, Jason and his team captured the gold at the Athens Games in 2004 – the first gold medal in Rowing in 40 years. Jason is currently training for the London 2012 Olympics.

Jason is the youngest member of the Hunterdon County YMCA Board of Trustees and is the Chair of the Teams/Community section of the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

HUNTERDON COUNTY YMCA MILFORD PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE/ PARENT OBSERVATION

(Feb. 18, 2010) The Milford YMCA Preschool of the Hunterdon County YMCA will hold an Open House at their facility at the Milford Presbyterian Church for families who are interested in enrolling their children for the coming 2010-2011 school year beginning in September 2010. Classes are offered for 2 ½, 3 and 4 year olds. (child must be 3 or 4 by October 1, 2010 and toilet-trained to qualify). Programs run 2 or 3 days per week for both three year olds and four year olds with extended day options available for both age groups. 2 ½ year olds attend either 1 or 2 days per week.

Open House will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon. Parents and children will be able to meet the director and teachers and tour the classrooms. Parents interested in attending the Open House should call the Director, Sharon Klamik, at (908) 995-9107 to reserve a space.

Further information and our full-brochure can be found at the YMCA website; www.hcymca.org.

Registration for the new school year will be held at the preschool on Wednesday, March 10th from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon.

YMCA to Honor Roman and Sophie Shor, Founders of Roman Jewelers at the 20th Annual YMCA Recognition Dinner

(Feb. 12, 2010) On Saturday, May 8, the Hunterdon County YMCA will proudly honor Roman and Sophie Shor, founders of Roman Jewelers at the 20th Annual YMCA Recognition Dinner to be held at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club. Roman and Sophie Shor have been chosen as honorees for their impressive history of outstanding community involvement.

Roman and Sophie Shor have been residents of Flemington since 1980, when they arrived in the United States from Russia. For the last 20 years, they have grown their business, Roman Jewelers, and given back to the community. Their family is involved with the Hunterdon Medical Center, local schools and museums, Safe in Hunterdon, and other area charities, including the YMCA. Their daughter, Lucy Zimmerman, is the current General Manager of Roman Jewelers and a fourth generation jeweler.

The theme for the 2010 Annual Recognition Dinner is Build a Campfire, Build a Memory. The goal of the theme is to remind dinner guests of summer fun from their youth and to showcase the YMCA’s policy of providing financial assistance for its summer camp programs, making them accessible to all children. To coincide with the theme, the dress code for the evening will be Denim and Diamonds. Dinner guests will enjoy camp themed decorations and youth performances and music.

Each year the YMCA’s Annual Recognition Dinner not only honors Hunterdon County’s finest residents, but it affords the Y an opportunity to continue with its mission of building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. All proceeds from the Dinner go directly to the Y’s financial assistance program. The YMCA believes that no person or family should be denied participation in its programs and/or services due to an inability to pay. Financial scholarships for reduced rates are issued to anyone who qualifies. In 2009, nearly $340,000 of financial assistance through the Y was given to nearly 2,100 people in our community.

For information on sponsorship opportunities or to obtain tickets to the YMCA’s Annual Recognition Dinner, please contact Hilary Kruchowy, Director of Development, at (908) 236-7879 ext. 11.

Open Registration for Hunterdon County YMCA Day Camps Begins Feb. 14

(Feb. 8, 2010) As parents look for opportunities to keep their kids active and busy this summer, the Hunterdon County YMCA reminds caregivers that camp is among the best options for engaging kids in activities that will help develop their spirit, mind and body, while getting them outdoors in a safe environment.

“Camping is synonymous with personal development. It provides kids with the opportunity to practice social and decision-making skills through new experiences,” says Kristin Heimall, Senior Program Director. “Kids come to camp to develop friendships, learn skills in a new environment, and make memories that will last a lifetime.”

The Hunterdon County provides exciting and educational summer camp options for preschoolers, school-age children and teens. The Hunterdon County YMCA operates Summer Day Camps in four convenient locations; Camp Carr in Clinton Township, Sports Camp at the Deer Path Branch in Flemington, South Camp in West Amwell, and Kinder Camp at the Round Valley Branch in Annandale for children ages 3 to 5 years. In addition, there is a Counselor in Training Program for teens ages 13-14. Transportation is available for Camp Carr and Sports Camp and extended care is available for all camp programs, with the exception of Kinder Camp.

In addition to traditional day camp programs, there are a wide variety of specialty camps available including Travel Camp, Horseback Riding Camp, Environmental Adventure Camp, Mad Science Camp, Rock/Pop Band Camp, Comic Book Creation Camp, and sports specialty camps including basketball, golf, dance, cheerleading, bowling, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse.

New camps in 2010 include Kids T.V. Movie Camp, Tennis Camp and Flag Football Camp.

Hunterdon County YMCA open camp registration begins on Sunday, Feb. 14 at the Deer Path Branch, 144 West Woodschurch Road, Flemington. Starting Feb. 15 registration for camp will be accepted at both the Deer Path Branch in Flemington and Round Valley Branch in Annandale. For parents who want to learn more about Hunterdon County YMCA Day Camps, there will be an Orientation Session on Feb. 14 from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the Deer Path Branch.



Collectively the nation’s largest providers of camping programs, YMCAs have operated summer camps for more than 100 years. Each year, YMCAs operate 265 resident camps that serve 300,000 campers. YMCAs also operate more than 2,000 community and regional YMCA day camps that serve 600,000 individual campers each summer, which includes about 120 specialty camps for kids with disabilities. An additional 1.5 million individuals participate in camp programs throughout the balance of the year in family camps, weekend retreats, and school camping.

Visit www.hcymca.org or call 908-782-1030 to learn more about Hunterdon County YMCA Day Camps.

YMCA financial assistance for summer camps is available to qualified applicants. The funds available for financial assistance are made possible through the generosity of individuals, local businesses, and foundations giving to the YMCA Annual Strong Kids Campaign.

Hunterdon County YMCA Raffle with Chance to Win His and Her Watches

(Feb. 2, 2010) The Hunterdon County YMCA is hosting a raffle with the chance to win his and hers ESQ Swiss Watches, donated by Roman Jewelers. The watches are valued at $700.
Tickets are $25 each and are available at the welcome desks of the Deer Path Branch, 144 West Woodschurch Road and Round Valley Branch, 1410 Route 22 West, Annandale. Tickets are also available at Roman Jewelers at the Bridgewater Commons and Roman Jewelers in Flemington.

The drawing will be held at the YMCA Annual Recognition Dinner on May 8, 2010 at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club. The winner need not be present to win. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the YMCA financial assistance program, which provides access to YMCA programming to children, teens and families who would otherwise be unable to pay. This program supports childhood in Hunterdon County and allows kids the time and place to escape their adult responsibilities and just “be a kid”.

The Hunterdon County YMCA is 501(c)3 charitable organization and watch raffle ticket purchases are a tax-deductible donation.

For more information contact Hilary Kruchowy at 908-236-7879 ext 11 or hkruchowy@hcymca.com.