This summer the YMCA hired a new camp and youth director named Melissa Mason, who has years of camp, outdoor adventure, and programming experience. In her previous roles, she has organized overseas trips for youth, developed environmental education programs, and organized large outdoor programs.
In the YMCA’s Fall newsletter, she wrote, “In my new role, I am excited to get to know our family members, Y families, and community members and bring some exciting new programs to our community youth.”
Although summer may be over, the YMCA has plenty of programs continuing into the Fall for both Londonderry youths and adults.
For kids, the YMCA is offering a plethora of sports classes and leagues, including archery for children five and up, basketball skills and play for ages four to five, and soccer skills for ages three to five. For older children, a flag football league is being offered Sept. 17 through Nov. 19 for children in grades three through seven.
The flag football league is in conjunction with the Manchester Flag Football League and the NFL Flag Football program. Participants will play in an eight-week season leading up to a championship round at the end of the season there will be a BBQ. For parents concerned about driving their children to games, all games are played at the YMCA of Greater Londonderry and the game times will be announced before the season begins.
The YMCA is also partnering with Smash Music of Derry to offer music classes and other arts classes for children seven and older. There will be a fundamental drums class, a theatre class that will teach the fundamentals of acting and theatre, and beginner ukulele and guitar classes.
The local middle schools are also participating by offering different programs. South School will be offering Zumba classes on Tuesdays, North School will host a program that builds S.T.E.A.M Bots where children can learn about and make different robots on Wednesdays, and on Fridays Matthew Thornton will conduct a Harry Potter S.T.E.A.M. Challenge in which students are challenged to design Harry Potter-related technology, such as designing a tube dragon or building a golden snitch launcher. All of these programs are for grades one through five and will be offered from Sept. 18 to Oct. 31.
For parents and adults, the YMCA offers multiple programs and classes for wellness to help you battle any winter blues that may be approaching. There are fitness classes for yoga, zumba, pilates, barre, and cycling for all ages at varying times throughout the week.
There will also be classes on the topic of essential oils, a growing interest for many who enjoy alternative health remedies. On Oct. 4 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. there will be a class about how to use essential oils to combat digestion discomfort during the holidays, as well as a class on Nov. 1 for do-it-yourself gifts with essential oils.
To find dates, times and prices of the different programs, or to learn more information about what else the YMCA offers, visit www.graniteymca.org.