Making Memories that Last a Lifetime at the Hunterdon County YMCA

Registration Open for Hunterdon County YMCA Day Camps

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 at South Hunterdon High School, 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, Kids T.V. Movie Camp, Mad Science Camp, and sports specialty camps including basketball, golf, tennis, dance, cheerleading, flag football, bowling, soccer, field hockey, rugby and lacrosse.

Registration for camp can be done at either Y Branch - the Deer Path Branch in Flemington and Round Valley Branch in Annandale.

The Y will hold Sports Camp Open House Days at the Deer Path Branch, 144 West Woodschurch Road, Flemington, on Sunday, April 1st from 1:00-4:00 pm and Sunday, May 6 from 12:00-4:00 pm. The Open Houses will include tours of the facility and open swimming. Additionally, camp staff will be available to answer questions.

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.

YMCA OPEN HOUSE AND VALENTINE’S PARTY SET FOR FEB. 12

The Hunterdon County YMCA invites everyone to their Open House and Valentine’s Party on Sunday, February 12 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Deer Path Branch, 144 West Woodschurch Road, Flemington.

Fun activities for the whole family include moon bounce, crafts, face painting, music, opening swimming, and a cannonball contest. This is a free family event open to the entire community. NJ 101.5 will be onsite with music and giveaways. As part of the Open House, the Y will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 10:30 am - 4:30 pm. To make a donation appointment go to www.Redcrossblood.org and use Sponsor Code: 022150.

YMCA staff members will be available for tours of the facility and to answer questions. Y Day Camp registration will also be open. For more information, please call 908-782-1030 or visit www.hcymca.org.

Hunterdon County YMCA Names 2012 Strong Kids Campaign Leadership

Volunteers Rally to Kick Off Strong Kids Campaign with Goal of $255,000

Each year, the Hunterdon County YMCA conducts the Strong Kids Campaign to provide families in need with financial support to participate in membership and program activities at the Hunterdon County YMCA. YMCA members and community volunteers have set a goal to raise $255,000 this year to provide membership assistance and scholarships to programs like summer camp, child care and teen activities, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. The 2012 Strong Kids Campaign kicks-off on Feb. 9 at the Deer Path Branch of the Hunterdon County YMCA

The Strong Kids Campaign is led by volunteers who make a commitment to serve their neighbors in need. Santo Auriemma, serving as the Campaign Chair, will lead the 2012 Strong Kids Campaign. He will be supported by Bart Fellin who will chair the Team Section of the Campaign. In addition to their roles in the campaign, both men serve as members of the Y’s Board of Trustees.

YMCA programs help children and teens to be strong in spirit, mind and body. Concerns about childhood obesity and lack of physical activity are often raised in the media. The YMCA offers a variety of programs to help children be more active. Young people learn teamwork and leadership skills, which will serve them both on and off the field. Core values such as caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are all taught as part of YMCA programs.

Through the Hunterdon County YMCA’s 2011 Strong Kids Campaign, over 2,100 people in Hunterdon County were able to participate in Y programs that strengthen our community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

The Y is actively recruiting volunteers to become involved with the 2012 Strong Kids Campaign, please call 908-236-7879. For more information, visit www.hcymca.org.

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.

Health for the Holidays at the Hunterdon County YMCA

The Hunterdon County YMCA encourages local residents to beat the holiday stress this season by taking time for themselves. To help with this, the YMCA is offering a special six-week Y membership to help the community stay healthy this holiday season. This membership will also help participants get a jump-start on their New Year’s resolutions.

The cost of the six-week membership is $89 and includes a fitness orientation, unlimited fitness classes, babysitting, use of two fitness centers, pool and hot tub. As a bonus, one-hour of Personal Training, a $46 value, is also included. The membership may be started at anytime between now and Nov. 20th and will be valid for six weeks. For more information or to start the six-week membership visit either the Deer Path Branch, 144 West Woodschurch Road, Flemington, 908-782-1030, or the Round Valley Branch, 1410 Route 22 West, Annandale, 908-236-0055. For more information visit www.hcymca.org .

The Hunterdon County YMCA is a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

HUNTERDON COUNTY YMCA HOSTS 20th ANNUAL COMEDY NIGHT

The Hunterdon County YMCA will host its 20th Annual Comedy Night, a New York City Comedy Club inspired evening at the Grand Colonial. The 20th Annual YMCA Comedy Night will held be on Friday, November 18th. Ticket price is $85 and includes a tapas-style menu, dessert, and three premier comedy acts. All proceeds benefit the YMCA financial assistance program, a confidential program making YMCA programs and/or services available to all Hunterdon County community members regardless of an inability to pay

The YMCA’s 20th Annual Comedy Night proudly presents three comedians who have made appearances at the best New York City Comedy Clubs, all of whom are sure to provide an evening full of laughs! The comedians for the 20th Annual Comedy Night are Joe Devito, Dan Wilson, and Ted Alexandro. A social hour with cash bar will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the first act at 8:30 pm.

For Comedy Night information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Heather Ruggeri at (908) 236-7879 ext. 24 or hruggeri@hcymca.com. Tickets are available for purchase online by visiting www.hcymca.org and clicking on “Special Events”. Tickets can also be purchased at Deer Path and Round Valley Branches of the Hunterdon County YMCA.