Even as summer activities continue at J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall, preparations are underway for fall. Day camps, swim lessons and group exercise classes continue as registration opens for fall sports and Adventure Guides.
Free Eye Exams
Carter Eye Center will be giving free eye exams at J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall July 20th from 11:30 am to 1:00 p.m. Call the Welcome Center at 972-772-9622 for more information.
Father of the Year Presentation
J.E.R. Chilton YMCA Father of the Year Bill Migneault Jr., was honored at a recent YMCA board meeting. Board Chair Brett Packer presented him with the award. He was nominated by his wife, Tara.
Each year, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas celebrates the anniversary of Father's Day by honoring local Dads as the YMCA Fathers of the Year. These Dads are honored at their local branches along with an association-wide evening celebration of family fun.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas established the "Father of the Year" award to recognize the significant impact fathers make in the lives of their children. Each year, the Dallas YMCAs accept nominations from family members in each local community who wish to honor a father with this special award. Each local YMCA chooses a "Father of the Year" from their community.
"Every year we receive so many outstanding nominations for this award," said Gordon Echtenkamp, President/CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. "Narrowing the field is always a difficult task, yet we realize what wonderful and positive parenting is happening on a daily basis in our community."
Dodie’s donates over $5,000 to YMCA’s Angel Camp
Staff and families of the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall gathered at Dodie's Cajun Diner at The Harbor June 24th, where the restaurant's co-owners, Mike McRae and Gabe Nicolella, along with General Manger Dan Keils, presented a $5,400 check to the Y's Angel Camp program.
Each year, Dodie's donates proceeds from its Annual Crawfish Festival to Angel Camp, which provides day camp experiences like sailing, swimming, archery, riflery, horseback riding, and field trips to youth ages 5 to 18 with special needs. This year's Crawfish Fest, held in April, drew a sell-out crowd of 300 people and dished out more than 2,300 pounds of mudbugs. In addition to all-you-can-eat crawfish, Dodie's served up corn, potatoes, jambalaya, red beans and rice - accompanied by the live music of Kenny and the Kasuals. Raffle drawings helped raised additional funds.
"It's mudbugs and music for a really good cause," said McRae, who introduced the Crawfish Fest in 2013 as a way to celebrate crawfish season while supporting the local community. The Crawfish Fest has benefited Angel Camp for the past three years.
To learn more about J.E.R. Chilton's Angel Camp, contact Bonnie LaVielle, Executive Director, or Angel Camp Director Melissa Cotner at 972-772-9622.
Y Rock Triathlon
Over 100 triathletes of all skill levels took part in Rockwall's newest triathlon known as the Y ROCK (formerly Dirty Rock) Sprint Triathlon 2016, produced by PlayTri Racing and hosted by the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA on Sunday, June 26.
The event saw 120 participants hit the race course bright and early, beginning with a 300-yard snake swim in the Rockwall Y's 25-yard indoor pool, followed by a 9.5-mile (two loops) bike course and finally a 3.1-mile run to the finish line.
Coming in 1st Overall was 44-year-old Rockwall resident Jeff Schmitt with a total time of 52:11:42. Schmitt, a member of the Rockwall YMCA, said while the humidity was certainly a
factor for the participating triathletes, the most difficult aspect for him was maintaining a sprint-like pace throughout the course.
"It's like a sprint the whole way; you can never back off," Schmitt said. "That was the only real challenge, was staying on the gas for 50 minutes."
Net proceeds from the Y ROCK benefitted the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA, whose mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The funds help ensure that everyone is able to participate in Y programs, regardless of their financial situation.
For full race results visit playtri.com/yrock.
Summer Camp
Back from the family vacation? Kids bored? SEND THEM TO CAMP! Traditional Day Camps provide youth with activities that allow them to experience a variety of different adventures, teach core values, conflict resolution and leadership skills. Participants attend weekly field trips and camps include weekly swim time.
This camp is pergect for kids that love the great outdoors. Campers spend at least 80% of the day engaging in outdoor activities. J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall’s Camp Dakotah will operate weekly Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through August 19th.
Go to https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/jerechiltonymca/programs/day_camps/ for more information:
Youth Sports
Registration is still open for the August session of British Soccer Camp. Scheduled for August 1-5 at J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall soccer fields, the camp is open to ages 3-16.
There are morning and afternoon sessions for First Kicks (ages 3-4) and Mini Soccer (ages 5-6). Half Day is available in the morning for ages 7-10 and in the afternoon for ages 11-16. Space is limited, so sign up today at http://www.challengersports.com/.
Registration has also begun for fall sports. Registration for Flag Football, Girls Volleyball, and Small Fry and Youth Soccer runs through August 22nd. Find all the information and registration links at https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/jerchiltonymca/sports/.
For more information on sports at the Rockwall Y, contact Bill Cadman, Sports Director, at 972-772-9622 or bcadman@ymcadallas.org.
Summer Swim Lessons
Swim lessons are underway in the indoor pool at the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA and we have an all new Swim Lesson Curriculum.
Visit https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/jerchiltonymca/aquatics/ for more information and the current pool schedule for classes and family swim time
For questions about the aquatics program, call 972-772-9622 or email Dustin Davis, Aquatics Director, at ddavis@YMCADALLAS.org.
Group Exercise Classes
Keep up with all the new classes by checking the class schedules page at https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/jerchiltonymca/class_schedules/ or by following J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RockwallYMCA/.
Adventure Guides Program
Registration for Adventure Guides 2016-2017 school year begins August 1st. YMCA Adventure Guides is about adventures, father/child experiences and the building of life-long memories. It is a program designed to strengthen the relationship and bond between dads and their children between the ages of K-4th grade.
For a complete list of scheduled events, go to https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/jerchiltonymca/adventure_guides/.