With a full slate of summer programs on tap, the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA is kicking into full gear as the countdown to summer begins.
Join Us
If you are interested in finding out what the Y has to offer this summer but your membership has expired, you’re in luck. Join in May and the YMCA will waive the joiner fee. Visit https://www.ymcadallas.org/wemissyou/ to join. Not sure you can afford membership? Ask about financial assistance. No one is turned away due to income.
Play Ball
Registration ends this Saturday for Summer Youth Flag Football, K-6TH grade, and Summer Baseball. Children are guaranteed 25% playing time in each game, regardless of skill.
Practices are held Monday-Friday. Times and locations are selected by the coaches. Games will begin June 6 and be primarily played on Saturdays and some weekdays on J.E.R. Chilton YMCA fields throughout the 8 game season.
Registration fee is $75/members; $115 activity members. For more info, contact Bill Cadman, Sports Director, 972.772.9622,bcadman@ymcadallas.org.
Cheerleading
Registration ends May 30. The season runs Aug. 6-Nov.15. Practices start the week of Aug. 11. Games are on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at YMCA fields.
Total cost is $182. YMCA fees are $50/members, $75/activity members, due at registration. There is also a $92 uniform fee which includes game day outfit, pompoms, bloomers, practice shirt and shorts, due at time of fitting. Cheerleaders will attend a clinic with the Rockwall High School cheerleaders. The $65 fee includes a camp shirt and bow.
YMCA cheerleaders will be cheering for our YMCA flag football teams and during one high school football half-time show. For more info, contact Bill Cadman, Sports Director, 972.772.9622, bcadman@ymcadallas.org.
Group Exercise
Our BodyPump class is free to all of Rockwall Y members. Drop in and see what all the excitement is about. It's very UPLIFTING! Plus, new BodyPump bars have arrived! Our class participants have been anxiously awaiting their arrival, so come give them a try!
Angel Camp
A big thank you to everyone who came out to Dodie's Annual Crawfish Fest at The Harbor April 12. The fundraising event hosted annually by Dodie's Cajun Diner benefits the Angel Camp program for children with special needs. Angel Camp will run for 5 one-week sessions, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sessions are June 22-26, June 29-July 3, July 6- 10, July 13-17 and July 20-24.
There is a one-time $50 registration fee per child. Those participating in multiple sessions need only pay that fee once. Sign up is on a first-come, first-served basis - and campers can sign up for as many sessions as they want.
Aquatics Classes and Employment Opportunities
The JER Chilton YMCA is seeking lifeguards and swim instructors. On a related note, the Rockwall Y will be offering lifeguard certification courses this month. To learn more, contact Nicholas Cain, Aquatics Director, at ncain@ymcadallas.org or call 972-772-9622.
It is also the perfect time to enroll in swim lessons at the JER Chilton YMCA at Rockwall. A variety of swim classes are offered for all ages and abilities. And a Family Swim time has been added to the pool schedule from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Find the updated pool schedule at https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/jerchiltonymca/aquatics/
Know Before You Go
As summer weather approaches, members of the Aquatics staff are visiting local elementary schools to talk about water safety, part of our "Know Before You Go" program. The kids will learn the importance of being safe around pools and other bodies of water, and that adults should always watch them while they are swimming.
The students will engage in a "Dress the Lifeguard" activity that demonstrates the difference between active vs. distracted supervision. They’ll learn that lifeguard gear includes sunglasses, a ring buoy/lifeguard board, sunscreen, whistle and lifeguarding apparel - not magazines/books, food/drinks, cell phones, headphones, etc.
There will also be Lifejacket Relays, which will teach children that arm floaties should not be used as Personal Flotation Devices, and show the difference between unapproved and Coast Guard-approved PFDs.
Lastly, they’ll discuss "Reach or Throw, Don't Go" - teaching children that when someone gets in trouble in the water, they can easily hold you under even if they are smaller than you. Reaching out with a long object, or throwing something that floats to someone is an effective way to help a distressed swimmer. Children should call 9-1-1 or call for an adult.
Teen Programming
The J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall is looking to add more local schools to our 2015-2016 Youth and Government program. Current schools include Rockwall High School, Rockwall-Heath High School, Wylie East High School, Burnett Junior High School, Cain Middle School and Royse City Middle School.
As part of the Teen Y&G program, students - along with an advisor - select a section of government they would like to explore, such as Legislative (junior high and high school), Judicial (high school), or Media (high school). Competitions include a District Conference, held the first Saturday in December, and a State Conference, held the last weekend in January for high schoolers, and the last weekend of February for middle schoolers.
Currently the YMCA Youth & Government program serves over 1600 students in the Dallas area alone. To learn more, contact Matthew Campos, Family Program Coordinator, at mcampos@ymcadallas.org or call 972-772-9622.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendar for June 21 when the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA will present Dirty Rock, the off-road sprint triathlon. Details are coming soon. We'd like to give a shout out to our Dirty Rock sponsors to date - American National Bank, Rockwall Futbol Club and Rockwall Sports Center. Thank you for your support!
For more information regarding registration for any of the afore-mentioned programs, contact the JER Chilton YMCA at 972-772-9622 or visit its website at ymcadallas.org/locations/jerchiltonymca.