Lincoln Downtown First Friday Art Walk May 4

Ahwatukee Golf Tournament
May 5

Lincoln Downtown Flag Raising
Ceremony May 10

Southwest Valley Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast & Community Pool Day
May 12

Scottsdale/PV
Football Clinic w/NFL
Retired Players
May 12

Another Great Week at the YMCA

April 30, 2007
Volume 1, Issue 5

YMCAs launch Activate Arizona Campaign

Robin Jordan and Greg O'Brien (left) were among those attending the Activate America conference last week. Tracy Wiedt and Carrie Phelps from Activate America gave the group ideas and best practices to encourage healthy lifestyles.

Arizona YMCAs have launched Activate Arizona, a spin off of Activate America, a national program that supports families' efforts to live healthier lifestyles. The Valley of the Sun Association efforts will be led by newly appointed Vice President for Activate America and Wellness, Robin Jordan. Robin has been with the YMCA for 21 years, much of the time working in programs and operations. For the last six years, she has been the executive director of the South Mountain YMCA, providing leadership to make the YMCA an integral part of the community.

Robin will provide leadership for health and wellness programs as well as work to establish partnerships in the health care industry, other non-profits, and the community to help the YMCA reach out and promote healthier living.

YMCAs provide summer fun and much more

friends Branches are currently registering for summer programs. The YMCA offers something for everyone. Youths from ages 5 thru 14 can register for summer fun. Choices include the traditional day camps that offer a variety of sports, games, activities, and other fun, to specialty camps that offer a variety of subjects. Specialty camps include swim camps, sports camps, and a variety of other camps that are offered at specific branches.

Summer is right around the corner and there is no place like the YMCA. Kids get to have fun in a safe, nurturing environment, while making friends and learning new activities, that all teach kids the four core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. For more information on summer programs, visit www.valleyYMCA.org and click on Child Care.

Resident Camps Sky-Y and Chauncey Ranch are also ready for summer fun. These camps offer kids a week-long trip where they can participate in traditional camp activities like canoeing, archery, paintball, a climbing tower, giant swing, ropes course, horseback riding, a swimming pool, fishing, campfires, arts & crafts, mountain bikes, sports, overnight campouts, and a camp dance. For more information on our resident camps, visit: http://www.azycamps.org.

Premiere Afterschool Center taps YMCA Child Care Executive Director for Board

Chasidy Gray

Chasidy Gray, who oversees all child care programs in the Association has joined the Board of Directors for the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence. The Center is recognized as the professional organization for individuals working in the afterschool field, the focal point for quality initiatives regarding out-of-school time services, and the only statewide organization providing professional development opportunities for administrators and direct service staff in the afterschool arena.

“I am extremely pleased that Chasidy Gray has join the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence Board of Directors. Her knowledge and expertise will add an important dimension to our work as we move forward to offer professional development for afterschool staff and advocate for safe, enriching environments for Arizona’s children in their out-of-school time,” said Lisa Rice, the Center's executive director.