YMCA plans under way for 2003

By Erin Alice
For the Dayton Daily News
Thursday, January 16, 2003

DAYTON--As the new year begins, the YMCA of Greater Dayton is hard at work on its theme of "Helping Dreams Take Flight."

The Y's annual Caring for Kids campaign benefits children who otherwise would not be able to attend YMCA summer day and residence camps. This year's fund-raising goal is $421,000.

Members of Junior Leadership Dayton recently held their second retreat for the 2002-03 school year at YMCA Camp Kern in Oregonia.

Students discussed diversity, developed team-building skills and learned the power of affirmation.

Fifty-two students from 15 area high schools are participating in the Junior Leadership program. Participants are recommended by school administrators and must demonstrate leadership qualities.

Preparation has begun for this summer's day camp and residence camp programs for children ages 6 to 17.

For more information on registration or about becoming a camp counselor, call your local YMCA.

The YMCA is enrolling at infant and toddler sites at the South YMCA in Kettering, the downtown YMCA on East Third Street in downtown Dayton and at the Grace United Methodist Church in Dayton.

Financial assistance is available. For more information, call 223-7711 or 312-1810.

The new Preble County YMCA at 450 Washington-Jackson Road in Eaton will host the final hard hat tour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Members of the community are invited to tour the facility, which boasts a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, gymnasium, indoor walking track and teen center.

The event is free and open to the public.

The membership sales trailer will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 472-2010.

The Coffman YMCA at 88 Remick Blvd. in Springboro has a 4,500-square-foot aerobics studio, which now will house other wellness and fitness classes that used to be held in the gymnasium.

The YMCA offers a financial assistance program to ensure that no one is turned away due to financial reasons. A sliding fee scale is designed to fit each individual's financial situation.

During the past year, the YMCA has awarded more than $1.1 million in financial assistance and community support throughout the Greater Dayton area.

For more information about events and programs for the year, call 223-5201 or visit www.ymcaonline.org.