The holidays can be a challenging and stressful time. The Plano Family YMCA offers you many great opportunities to reduce that stress. There is something for everyone at the Y and now is a great time to join.
OFFERING SAVINGS - Join the Y for $0
Register for The "Official" Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot & join the YMCA for $0!*
That's right - Turkey Trot registrants can join the Y and pay NO JOINER'S FEE! This offer is valid thru Dec 31 when you join inside the branch (not online).
Event registration is available at packet pick-up Nov. 21-25. Online registration ends at 5pm Nov. 25. Race day registration is also available.
All Turkey Trot registrants should bring in their registration confirmation email as proof of registration to receive the discount; a print out of the email or the email on their phones will do! http://www.thetrot.org/ #DallasTurkeyTrot
Here for You – Holiday Hours
Thanksgiving is so close, you can almost smell the turkey! The Plano Family YMCA is open during the holiday with a reduced schedule.
November 25th: Facility- 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Child Watch & Group Exercise Classes - morning only
November 26th: Facility: 7:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
No Child Watch or Group Exercise Classes
CREATING FUTURE CHAMPIONS - Youth Sports
Winter Indoor Soccer - Small Fry and Youth Clinics
Small Fry Clinic
The goal of Small Fry Sports is to teach the basics of team sports including rules, techniques and safety practices. Your 3-5 year old will develop self-confidence and social skills through constant encouragement from coaches, parents, and other children.
Small Fry is a program that requires parental involvement during each scheduled class. Parents participate in classes by coaching, guiding and assisting their children in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their progress.
Sports officials are always on hand to guide and help as well. Your player will meet the coach at the 1st session. All Classes take place at the Plano YMCA.
6 sessions, Thursdays at 6:00pm
Class Dates - 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 1/7, 1/14, and 1/21
Cost: $25 for Y members, $40 for non-member
Youth Clinic
Sports clinics are a great way to grow as an experienced player or offer a great introduction to the sport for a first timer. Classes consist of 30 minutes of skills and drills related to core concepts of the sport followed by 15 minutes of games that reinforce team concepts and the rules of the game.
Parents will not receive a call from a "coach" before the 1st session. Your player will meet the coach at the 1st session. All Classes take place at the Plano YMCA. Ages 5-8
6 sessions, Thursdays at 7:00pm
Class Dates - 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 1/7, 1/14, and 1/21
Cost: $35 for Y Members, $50 Community Members
Online registration is available at https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/plano/sports/.
Be sure to take lots of pics and share them with us at #PlanoYMCA!
For more information, contact Kent Voyles, Sports Coordinator, at 214.705.9459 or email kvoyles@ymcadallas.org.
BUILDING CHARACTER – Meet Coach Joe Willis
Plano YMCA Small Fry and Youth Basketball Clinics volunteer coach Joe Willis isn't out to create the next LeBron James or Michael Jordan. For Coach Willis, helping to build that confidence which will help a kid in all aspects of his life holds precedence, and also encompasses the important values kids can learn through participation in the Plano Y sports programs.
"What I like to see is that first practice, when the kid who's not so confident, who is picked last during freelance pickup games, that's the kid I want to influence," Joe said. "By the end of the season or the end of the session I want to see that kid have more confidence than he had before."
From Jacksonville, Arkansas just outside of Little Rock, Willis started out at a young age playing baseball and basketball and was highly influenced by his coaches as far as helping to build character, confidence and self-esteem. Through his work as a volunteer coach at the Plano Y, Willis now relishes the opportunity to pass on that influence to the kids he coaches.
"It's not about them being the greatest ball player, because not all of the kids are going to be great ball players, but for them to have that confidence to help get them through a lot of situations in life," Willis said. "That's what I like most about the kids, is seeing a smile on their face and for them to walk with their chest up and their head held high."
NURTURING YOUNG MINDS - Preschool Halloween Party
The Preschool Halloween Party was spooktacular! Preschool at the Plano Family YMCA is a year round program. Our program hours of operation begin at 7:45am and end promptly at 2:00pm. Preschool post care is available from 2:00pm - 6:30pm for an additional fee.
The preschool program offers educational and guidance decisions for children based on a knowledge of child development. The number one goal is to provide the kind of environment and influence that encourages all children to become creative, independent and responsible students who can make positive choices for themselves. For ages 3 to 5 who are potty trained.
For more information about the Preschool Program, contact Samantha Buehler, Youth Development Director, at sbuehler@ymcadallas.org or call 214.705.9459.
The handbook and registration information are available at the Welcome Center.
KEEPING YOU MOVING - Active Older Adults
The Active Older Adult program recently held a potluck lunch after the exercise class. The YMCA has developed several activities to encourage and motivate mature adults to take action, get engaged and establish a stronger community of friends through the Y. If you are interested in getting involved at the Y, call 214-705-9459.
CREATING FUTURE LEADERS - Youth & Government
The Plano Family Youth & Government program has begun preparing for competition. The district conference for middle and high school is this Saturday, November 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland, Texas.
The mission of Youth & Government is "to help teenagers become responsible citizens and future leaders of the nation." The students achieve this by increasing their political awareness through hands-on learning.
This program will also improve a student's confidence, empathy, diplomacy, and decision-making skills. Students also increase their leadership and public speaking skills. It accumulates every year in a state-wide conference in Austin, when the students get to "take over" the Capitol and present what they have learned in front of their peers.
There are a variety of different sections that you are able to participate in depending on your interest: Legislative, Judicial, State Affairs, Model UN and Media.
Meeting times are Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. for Legislative (and other sections) and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. for Model UN.
If you are interested in joining the Youth & Government program, contact Samantha Buehler, Youth Development Director, at 214-705-9459, email sbuehler@ymcadallas.org or go to https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/plano/programs/youth__government/.
MAKING MEMORIES - Adventure Guides
The annual Adventure Guide Pumpkin Carving was held recently at the Plano Family YMCA. Adventure Guides is a program designed to strengthen the bond between fathers and their children in grades K-3.
The program is based on the traditions of the compass, including: community, nature, family and fun, the Adventure Guides and Adventure Princess will build lifetime memories.
The program builds greater self-confidence, a sense of responsibility both to themselves and to others, the ability to make good choices and to develop greater respect for others and their individual differences.
COMING UP IN NOVEMBER: Turkey Shoot, Nov. 21 - More fun activities that include paint balls and hot dogs (or turkey dogs). Take aim with your child to create an unforgettable afternoon of new experiences.
For more information about the Adventure Guide program, contact Nick Echtenkamp, Senior Program Director, at nechtenkamp@ymcadallas.org or go to https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/plano/adventure_guides/.