From the Executive Director's Desk:
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Summer at the Y is a whirlwind – on the same days in recent weeks I have bandaged scrapes, held scared kids, had stern talks with lads who have done some mighty dumb stuff, been drilled by Members for a whole range of dumb stuff we have done, been to the ER with scared kids who hurt themselves doing things you wouldn’t have believed, sniffed puddles on the floor to see if they are water or…….., made trips to buy snacks for the Camp store and heard some mighty moving testimony about the good we are doing in the community.
And last week I had the privilege of spending a few days at Camp Pepin helping out and I wanted to take a few minutes to tell you some of the things I saw happen every day there. I want you to pay attention to them because we hear far too much negative about kids and families and when I talk about this stuff I am not a dabbler, I’ve been up to my neck in this stuff for 43 years professionally. So to steal a line from the insurance commercial “I’ve seen a few things”.
Last week at Camp Pepin I saw – kids looking out for one another being kind and thoughtful – saying please and thank you to each other. I saw kids setting the table and cleaning up after meals – I saw kids cleaning their cabins – I saw kids leaving their shoes by the hundreds I’d say outside their cabins and rec hall – I saw kids cleaning themselves up no less – I saw no litter on the ground.
I saw kids busy swimming-paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, art and crafting, high rope coursing it, zip lining, shooting arrows and .22’s, hiking, disc golfing, journaling, and talking about their day in group before bed.
I saw kids getting very emotional at the closing Camp Fire over going home – I saw kids promising to write or text or e-mail [whatever they do now] after they return home – I saw kids making lifelong friends with kids they didn’t even know a week before.
Something is working on a deep level for kids at Camp Pepin – and my question to you is what do you see your kids, grand-kids and neighbor kids doing this summer? Staring at screens? Playing video games? Sitting on their cans all day?
I’ve been watching kids and families for a long time and I will tell you with complete confidence that we reap what we sow when it comes to child development. I encourage you to sow some good stuff in kids in your world - be bold – Get them off that screen pretending to do things and put them on a paddle board on Lake Pepin doing something difficult and real!! You will not regret it and that kid you single out will thank you their whole life.
Take the challenge – we have room – we have scholarships for people that need a hand. Do it!!
-Mike
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We want your Y stories!
To celebrate our upcoming 150th Anniversary of the Red Wing YMCA, we are looking for your stories! How the Y has had an impact on your life, your family, an experience at Camp Pepin..the list goes on.
To share your story, submit it through email, send it through our Facebook page-be sure to tag us in your post, or if you are willing to be recorded on video or through voice, that would be even better!!
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YMCA Camp Pepin is in full swing welcoming many groups of campers so far this summer and they are still coming in droves! There is still time to register for this one of a kind summer experience!
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Camp Kickapoo:
Perfect for campers entering 2-4th grade in the 2019-2020 school year
Kickapoo campers will get their first taste of the many traditions at YMCA Camp Pepin, such as canoeing, arts & crafts, swimming, campfires, and more!
Kickapoo Camp is a great intro to their first overnight camp experience.
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Traditional Overnight Camp:
Perfect for campers entering 3-9th grade in the 2019-2020 school year.
Camp Pepin’s Traditional Overnight Camp is filled with stimulating activities that promote life-long interests and friendships. On the waterfront, athletic field, challenge course, Frisbee golf and target range, campers can have fun and develop lasting skills at the same time. Resident campers will also join their cabin-mates on an overnight camp-out, all camp games and a variety of evening activities.
Choose from a one or two-week option!
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Trail & Trip Camps:
Choose Your Adventure.
Camp Pepin is located in an area where outside activities abound. The bluffs, woods, rivers, lakes, and trails provide a wonderful playground for those that enjoy adventures in the out-of-doors.
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Upcoming Specialty Camp:
Adventure Sail
July 7-12 | Grades 6-9
By land or by sea, this camp is jam packed with adventure! Campers will learn to sail and race a 31-foot yacht together as a team during a week-long series of day and evening sessions with our big-boat sailing partner, Sail Pepin.
Afternoons will be spent flying through the trees at camp on our zip line course and reaching new heights on our ropes course and faith pole.
Sail Pepin is fully Coast Guard licensed and certified.
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Counselors In Training with Sailing (entering 10-12th grade in the fall of 2019): July 14-26
The CIT program focuses on team building, leadership skills and working with youth on site at Camp Pepin.
As students advance to Week 2, they put these skills into action on board the Amicus II on beautiful Lake Superior.
There is no need to have prior sailing experience; it is more important that students in this program have a desire to learn and a passion for adventure.
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Upcoming Trail & Trip Camp:
Devils Lake/Wisconsin Dells
July 28-August 2
This exciting 5-day, 4-night excursion into the Devil's Lake State Park provides campers the opportunity to canoe, climb, hike and camp out.
This trip will include a full day at Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells where you will experience the thrills of a water park.
This trip is a great introductory into overnight tripping. No prior tripping experience is necessary.
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Upcoming Trail & Trip Camp:
North Shore Trail Blazers
July 21-26
North Shore backpackers venture to the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, where they'll spend four days hiking along the Superior Hiking Trail and camping in National Parks.
View spectacular sights overlooking Lake Superior and various waterfalls. Experience the pride of carrying all that you really need on your back as you travel through this amazingly scenic land.
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Upcoming Specialty Camp: Roots to Fruits
Traditional Option (entering 5-9th grade): July 14-19
New to YMCA Camp Pepin for 2019!
Through hands on activities, farm fields and more, the Farm to Table camp aims to better connect youth to the food system we rely on and our natural world.
They will have the opportunity to learn about the care and feeding of chickens and livestock.
We will also provide some time to prepare a yummy snack from the garden. All of this will be provided alongside the traditional camp experience.
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-ATTENTION CHILD WATCH USERS-
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Due to low enrollment on Sundays,
beginning July 1 through August 31,
Child Watch 1 & 2 will be closed on Sundays.
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If you have any questions regarding this, please reach out to our Child Care Director.
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Learn more about all of our child care programming here!
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Racquetball Courts B & C will be
closed
for the summer. To reserve a court, please call or stop by the Welcome Desk and we will be happy to reserve a spot for you!
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There's still time to sign up for our summer youth programming!
During the month of July, your child has the opportunity to participate in Athletic Conditioning camp, GloveWorx & Conditioning, GRIT camp and Gymnastics (intermediate to advanced).
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Join us for a
FREE
special pop-up edition of GloveWorx with Emily H.! This class is for anyone with little to some boxing experience.
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A
FREE
Intermediate TRX experience in our Wellness Center with instructor Steve C.
Classes are held on Monday evenings at 7:00 PM and Wednesday evenings at 5:45 PM.
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We have openings for swim lessons in July! Many levels have openings, from parent/tot to level 5 & 6. We'd love to help you feel more confident in the water-join us in the pool.
Remember private lessons are always an option as well if our scheduled times do not work for you and your family! To schedule a lesson, email Nicole S.
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Volunteers are needed for this event!
To volunteer, stop in to the Y or give us a call!
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NEW ROUTE.
NEW SWAG.
SAME FUN.
- - -
- Register before July 11 for guaranteed
race day swag and save some ching!
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Enjoy a 5K Run/Walk (ages 7+) along Levee Road, Withers Harbor Drive and the Hay Creek Trail. The
race begins at 8:00 AM
with results and timing provided by Jesse Nelson. All results will be posted shortly after the race at
redwingymca.org
.
Awards will take place at 9:15 AM
at Bay Point Park. Overall male and female winners along with first through third places will be announced in each age division.
Don't forget to stick around to cheer on the Kids Fun Run!
**REGISTRATION PRICING INCREASES AFTER July 11!!**
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The Kids Fun Run (ages 2-10) is a great way to get the whole family involved! Family and friends are welcomed and encouraged to run with small children in this event. The
race begins at 9:00 AM
making a loop around Bay Point Park, just north of the playground.
The first 150 kids who register for the race will receive
free
race day swag-quantities are limited so register today!
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The Search is on for River City Days Parade Participants!
Speaking of River City Days...we are looking for fun people to join us in the parade this year!
Further communication regarding the parade will be sent out at a later date. T-shirts will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
If your child is a current participant in Kids Power Club, we will be using the same t-shirt.
If you are interested in signing up to join in on the fun, click the button below and sign up!
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Saturday, August 9
5:00 p.m. | Bay Point Park
The Red Wing Family YMCA's
LiveStrong group will have a team participating-sign up to walk with them online!
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Event Schedule
Opening Ceremony
Time to get started. We kick off the event by honoring everyone who's been affected by cancer and everyone who has contributed to the success of this year's Relay season.
Survivor/Caregiver Walk
Survivors and Caregivers are the heart and soul of Relay For Life events. We honor their strength and courage with every step they take. It doesn't matter if you were diagnosed 10 days ago or 10 years ago, you can walk while everyone gathers together to cheer you on.
Luminaria Ceremony
During this ceremony we represent everyone touched by cancer with a Luminaria. Each light represents a life—a life taken by cancer, a survivor of cancer, or a support for a person still fighting the disease. It's a powerful demonstration that gives people the opportunity to grieve but also offers comfort and hope.
Closing Ceremony
Our closing ceremony is the time to commit to take action and help lead the fight for a world free from cancer. It's a time to celebrate what we've accomplished together and a time to unify for the work that needs to be done moving forward.
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Sunshine Corner Preschool still has availability in their three year old programming! A YMCA Membership is
NOT
required to participate in this program!
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We know summer just got here, but it's never too early to be thinking about the upcoming school year and dates for non-school and early release day care for your children. If you are interested in this program, fill out the form--->
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BE ON THE LOOKOUT!
YMCA programming running September-December 2019 will be released before River City Days in the Friday Express paper-be on the lookout for our insert!
Registration for these programs will open on August 1!
We are brewing up some great plans in 2019-2020, so stay tuned!
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Building a better us.
Red Wing Family YMCA.
434 Main Street
Red Wing, Minn. 55066
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