Special Events and Information

• Program Reminders: Football league registration begins July 1 and runs through August 16. Tennis classes start again on July 5 for another 4-week session.

• YMCA Family Excursion - We're trying something new! It's a short family camping trip and more to Crowder State Park July 30-31, 2010. Camping leader will be Matt Jones, Y Program Director. Participants will receive a camping kit and t-shirts for each member of the family. All food will be covered (3 meals and snacks) as well as camping fees. Events held will include Geo-caching, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, a scavenger hunt, and fishing. The fee of $60 covers a family of 4 (additional children are $6 each). Families need to bring sleeping bags or blankets, a tent, pillow , change of clothes, and toiletries. For more information, contact Matt Jones at 660-646-6677.

• The YMCA is searching for new program ideas. If you have an idea, we'd love to hear about it. In order to be a successful program, there has to be some interest in it, we have to be able to find a good instructor (if instruction is required), there needs to be a good place to hold the program and we need to be able to find the equipment. There is a box at the front desk of the Y, and forms you can use to fill out.

• With baseball finished, we turn our attention to football and other things. Visit our youth program page for more information... 

CURRENT NEWS NOTES...

Big Response to Back to School Event
Constitution-Tribune, July 22, 2010

Click photo to see a closer view!

The YMCA's gymnasium was filled with local students preparing for the start of school by attending the Back to School Bonanza Wednesday afternoon, July 21, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.. After registering, the students were given free backpacks and then they stopped at more than 20 booths where they collected back-to-school items. There were 240 students attending the event. The bonanza began at 4:30 p.m. and went until 6:30 p.m.; however, some of the give-away items were depleted early. The 2nd annual Back-to-School Bonanza was sponsored by the Livingston County Health Center, Hedrick Medical Center and the University of Missouri Extension. It was held in the Browning Gymnasium of the YMCA.

A 'Sweet' Visit
Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Photo by Kyle Jones

Participants in the YMCA summer day camp learn about the bakery business by visiting Francine's Pastry Parlor today. While there, the group watched Francine Davenport decorate a cake and then participants were treated to a muffin. Francine's Pastry Parlor is among several field trips being taken through the day camp program. The group has already visited Hy-Vee, Morningside Center, and the county fair and planned to visit the fire station later this morning. More trips are being planned, including a trip to the Constitution-Tribune, Citizens Bank & Trust and Grand 6 Theater. For more information about the day camp program, contact they YMCA at 646-6677.

Successful Summer Safety Event
By Amanda McKay
Constitution-Tribune
June 07, 2010

C-T Photo/Butch Shaffer

A few youngsters have their vision checked Saturday morning, June 5, at the free Summer Safety event held at Grand River Area Family YMCA from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. A large crowd attended the event, which also included a free Mo-chip child identification program sponsored by the Missouri Masonic Foundation and Friendship Lodge No. 89. [This consisted of digital photographs, digital fingerprints, child information and emergency contacts, dental bite impression for DNA; it is stored on a mini-CD in an "Amber Alert" format. Parents received the CD and two laminated ID cards. No information is retained.] Several other booths featuring information on youth summer safety were also available. Organizers say 278 children participated in the Mo-chip program.

ARCHIVED NEWS NOTES...

Dinner Theater Raises Over $7,000
Published: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, C-T

CAPTION: Close to 120 people attended a mystery dinner theater Friday night which was held in the Family Life Center at the Chillicothe United Methodist Church. The event was held as a fund-raiser for the Grand River Area Family YMCA’s Y-Pals program - a program designed to offer mentors for children that may be in need of positive adult role models.

Submitted Photo/C-T

Close to 120 people attended a mystery dinner theater Friday night which was held in the Family Life Center at the Chillicothe United Methodist Church. The event was held as a fund-raiser for the Grand River Area Family YMCA’s Y-Pals program - a program designed to offer mentors for children that may be in need of positive adult role models. Organizers say that several guests came to the dinner theater dressed in costume and during the event, those in attendance tried to determine who the "murderer" at their respective tables were by examining clues and dialog provided throughout the evening.

At the end of the event, the murder was revealed to be "Bo Jalais." Also, according to YMCA executive director Dave Rogers, 20 local men were invited to make their favorite desserts and bring them to the event where each dessert was sold by auctioneer Lonnie Sewell. Rogers said the desserts each sold for between $50 and $175 and the event, as a whole, raised just over $7,000 for the Y-Pals program, which operates on an annual budget of around $10,000.

Hunting Easter Eggs
Published: Monday, April 6, 2009, C-T

CAPTION: Children scurried to fill their baskets during the annual community Easter Egg Hunt in Simpson Park Saturday morning. Within a few seconds, all 4,000 eggs were collected in four different areas for children ranging in age from 1 to 10 years. This Chillicothe youngster is excited when she finds surprises hidden in the eggs she collected during the hunt. The event is sponsored annually by the Grand River Area Family YMCA and the Chillicothe Parks and Recreation Department with support from local businesses. As part of this year's hunt, four bikes were given away in promotion of the upcoming Tour of Missouri event.

C-T Photo/Catherine Stortz Ripley

YMCA Basketball Starts
Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009, C-T
C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

CAPTION: All basketball courts at Grand River Area Family YMCA were filled Saturday as the 2009 basketball season began. The Iddy Biddy basketball teams up through third- and fourth-grades opened the season Saturday and the Y Winners teams through seventh- and eighth-grades will start this coming Saturday. In all, there are 550 players and 63 teams. The season lasts for six weeks with begin at 8 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m.

Get Fit Challenge
Published: Monday, December 15, 2008, C-T

Want to make that New Year’s resolution to lose weight finally come true? Join the "Get Fit Challenge" for your chance to lose weight, feel great and win money. The Constitution-Tribune and the Grand River Family YMCA have teamed up for this second event designed to give incentive to those wishing to shed those holiday pounds.

In 2007, the inaugural "Get Fit" contest featured 300 participants and proved to be very popular, organizers say. All area residents are invited to participate in the "Get Fit Challenge" which will begin the first week of January and continue for 8 weeks. Whoever loses the highest percentage of his or her original weight by the end of the 8 weeks will be awarded $300 and a one year membership to the Grand River Family YMCA. The second place winner will receive $200 and the third place winner will receive a 1-year subscription to the Constitution-Tribune.

"Everyone makes that New Year's resolution to lose weight every year and it doesn’t hurt to have a little bit of incentive to make that resolution come true," said Rod Dixon, C-T publisher. According to Dave Rogers, YMCA director, the YMCA has new, digital scales which read weights up to 440 pounds. "These scales are easier to use and they’re more accurate than the scales we used two years ago," Rogers explained.

Those interested in participating in the "Get Fit Challenge" should register at the Grand River Area Family YMCA. Applications are available as of today (Monday), through Wednesday, Jan. 9. There is absolutely no cost to participate in the "Get Fit Challenge."

Punt Pass Kick

On Saturday, October 25, we hosted the Punt Pass Kick Sectional event at our YMCA. We had 33 participants ranging in age from 8-15. The regional area director attended and took the photo here of our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Pictured Left to Right: Shelby Sires of Moberly First Place in the 8-9 year old division; Kennedy Ellis of Cosby First Place in the 10-11 year old division; Allie Lemmons of Marshall First place in the 12-13 year old division; Cyrsten Lollar of Chillicothe First Place in the 14-15 year old division; Ashton Aronson of Chillicothe First place in the 14-15 year old division; Alex Curtis of Trenton First Place in the 12-13 year old division; Clayton McGinnes of Amazonia First Place in the 10-11 year old division; Walker Graves of Chillicothe First place in the 8-9 year old division.

YMCA Pumpkin Splash
Published: Monday, October 27, 2008, C-T

CAPTION: After a dip in the pool to fetch a pumpkin, kids of all ages enjoyed painting faces, getting their face painted, sugar cookie decorating and more at the annual Grand River Area Family YMCA Pumpkin Splash, held Saturday evening.

C-T Photo/Amanda McKay

Get Set... Get Ready...
Published: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, C-T
C-T Photo/Catherine Stortz Ripley

CAPTION: The YMCA flag football program for youth in kindergarten through third grades got its official start with the first games of the season being played Tuesday evening at Danner Memorial Park. In all, there are 152 children in grades kindergarten through fifth-grade playing flag football. The kindergarten through third-grade teams play Tuesday nights at Danner Park and the fourth- and fifth-grade teams play Saturdays at the YMCA. For tackle football, there are four teams and 54 youth participating.

Easter Egg Hunt 2008

An estimated 300 children gathered in Simpson Park Saturday morning for the annual community Easter Egg Hunt. Those participating were dressed warmly with temperatures only in the lower 40s. The event is sponsored by the Chillicothe Parks and Recreation Department and the Grand River area Family YMCA.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

Summer Safety Event  - Monday, June 23, 2008
Photo By Lisa Houtchens, C-T

C-T Photo/Butch Shaffer 01 12 08
Y-Winners Basketball

C-T Photo/Andrea Graves - Flag Football Mini Camp 09/12/07

Christian Outreach Programs

Backpack Buddy Program 2009

Backpack Buddies

Photo by Laura Schuler, C-T

CAPTION: Members of the Chillicothe R-2 Career Independence class prepare 75 back packs filled with food to go to the R-2 elementary and middle schools this (Friday) morning as part of the Grand River Area Family YMCA’s Backpack Buddies program. The program provides children in need with backpacks filled with enough food to feed them over the weekend and are sent out every Friday afternoon. Organizers say the program is in need of $3,500 in order to fill the backpacks through the entire school year.

Press Release July 17, 2008...

Building Strong Families Events

• Call Genie for reservations as classes are limited to 10.

Every Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. Child care is available for Building Strong Families events only. Sessions are FREE.

Youth Building Strong Families meets every Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:40 pm.

Mentor Training for Newly Enlisted Mentors
All prospective mentors (Adult Y-Pals) are required to participate in Mentor Training before they are assigned a youth. Sessions are held the 1st Thursday of every month. We meet in the Multipurpose room at the “Y” from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Healthy ‘n Fit
A weight Management Program for Children and Teens Call Genie Amen for Assessment Appointment.

NEEDED: Men and women with a positive attitude willing to mentor boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 14. We have a waiting list anxiously awaiting a Y-Pal. Call Genie Amen at 646-6677 today!

We also need adults to transport children on Tuesdays to the YMCA for Y Club and 4H Club. They will have a ride home.

Men and women and college students for Summer Buddies.

If you are interested in being a candidate for the Christian Outreach Committee, please email Genie.

YMCA Y-Pals Schedule

Y-Club for Youth Y-Pals
Kids ages 6-14 that have applied to a Y-Pal or are currently a Y-Pal are welcome to attend Y-Club which meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Diane Kerns is the leader and has fun-filled learning activities for the kids. The sessions are free and refreshments are served.

LuckY-Clover 4-H CLUB meets at the YMCA on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Y-Pal Calendar

• Sept. 1, 2009 - Back Pack Buddy donation deadline
• Sept. 11, 2009 - Back Pack Buddy food delivery begins

The Grand River Area Family YMCA has received many new members in 2007,
perhaps many people following up on those resolutions to shed a few extra
pounds this year. According to Dave Rogers, executive director of the YMCA, 70 people have joined since the first day of the new year and 32 people signed up on New Year¹s Day. Rogers reported that an increase in YMCA members at the beginning of a new year is fairly usual. The local YMCA now has a total of 3,911 members. The YMCA is always looking for new members and according to Rogers, they anticipate even more members for the Get Fit Challenge the YMCA is sponsoring with the Constitution-Tribune newspaper.

The Get Fit Challenge is a 12-week weight loss challenge and over 300 people are participating in the joint effort between the newspaper and the YMCA. Participants are required to weigh-in at the YMCA each week and weekly standings will be published in the newspaper. The challenge will continue until March 30 and the first place winner will receive $300 and a 1-year membership to the YMCA, second place will receive $200, and third place will receive a 1-year subscription to the YMCA.

The YMCA organization started in Chillicothe in 1989 but 2007 will be the 15th year for the YMCA building. The biggest change since 1992 when the doors first opened, has been in 1999 when the Browning Gymnasium was added, along with a gymnastics center, activities center and weight room.

Easter Egg Hunt in Simpson Park
April 10, 2006, C-T caption and photo

The Easter Bunny was here! Four-thousand eggs. Three hundred children. Three minutes. It didn't take long on a chilly morning for youngsters between the ages of one and eight years to gather up all of the eggs left behind for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Simpson Park on Saturday. If everything was equally divided using these figures provided by the Chillicothe Parks and Recreation Department, which sponsors the hunt each year with the Grand River Area Family YMCA, each child would have collected a total of 13.3 eggs at a rate of 4.4 eggs per minute. Of course, some children, such as Spencer Shira (left), the 3-year-old son of Jana and Kevin Shira, of Chillicothe, weren't too concerned about quantity while more veteran egg-hunters easily exceeded the average. Through the support of the local banks and Hy-Vee Food Store, some eggs contained special prizes and a grand prize egg for each division was awarded. C-T Photos / Catherine Stortz Ripley

Hedrick Foundation Donates $10,000 to Grand River Area Family YMCA
Wednesday, January 4, 2006

The Hedrick Foundation recently made a $10,000 donation to the Grand River Area Family YMCA in memory and appreciation of Walter T. Miller who served as a dedicated member of the foundation board for over 25 years. Specifically, the money is directed to the endowment fund of the YMCA which will help to insure the financial security and maintenance of the YMCA facility. Miller died in June 2005 and as a Hedrick Foundation board member, encouraged the foundation to invest in the purchase of the YMCA land and its indoor swimming pool.

June 6, 2006 – Happy 162nd Birthday YMCA 
Founder George William’s Voice Link Below

To celebrate the YMCA’s birthday, June 6th, 1844, a 6-minute web streamed movie briefly reviews the YMCA founding and amazingly from across 100+ years of time,  you actually hear George William’s voice that had been recorded giving a charge to the YMCA workers of the USA on the 50th anniversary.

Click on this link and it should automatically stream....
YMCA Founder George William's Voice from 1894

For more on the YMCA Mission, visit www.ymcamission.com/.

On Saturday, April 9, Hedrick Medical Center sponsored the Annual Health Fair at the YMCA from 8-11 a.m.

More than 400 people attended the fair, which included glaucoma screenings, cholesterol information, blood glucose checks, pulse oximetry, blood pressure checks and anemia screenings. Sherry Weldon, HMC Community Wellness Director, organized the fair. About 100 people had their bones scanned free of charge. C-T Photo Catherine Stortz-Ripley

Kids - Come visit the play park. The YMCA provides an indoor play park area for children ages 3 to 10. An attendant is on duty Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. During these hours, parents may take their children to the play park while they exercise. During other hours, adult Y members (over 18) may check out the key to the play park at the front desk, but must stay to supervise their children.