Home-Schooled Students have their own YMCA Program
Mahaska YMCA (file photo)
OSKALOOSA – The Mahaska County YMCA has a Gym & Swim Activities program for children in the Mahaska Community who are home schooled. This program consists of supervised gym activities and swim lessons and runs for eight weeks. Registration is taking place now for the next eight-week session which begins March 23.
“This has been a very popular program,” said Emily Macki, Youth Program Director at the Mahaska County YMCA. The session just ending had over 52 participants and Macki anticipates the next session to be just a popular or even more so.
“Though (the program is) fairly new, we are excited to provide the opportunity for home-schoolers to participate in the structured activities. It is a valued program because it offers an option for incorporating a physical education class into a home-schoolers program. “They can participate in a physical activity,” added Macki, “in a controlled setting while interacting with other children.”
Macki said the gym portion mimics a PE class. Students play games which combine many moves and skills allowing participants to learn about different sports in the process. The games help students with developing balance, flexibility, hand-eye coordination, team work and other gross motor skills. The pool portion is a swim lesson with YMCA swim instructors who are lifeguard certified. The children work on getting comfortable in the water, floating, the beginning steps of swimming and gaining confidence,” added Macki “The swim instructor makes sure all of the children are participating, having fun, and given the opportunity to learn the beginning stages of swimming.”
Activities are held on Wednesdays and Fridays at various times throughout the day. The current session runs from March 23 through May 13. Costs for Gym Activities is $30′; swim lessons or advanced swim lessons, $40; both Gym and Swim, $60. The registration form is available on the Y’s web site or can be picked up at the YMCA. The form and payment must be submitted to the Y by March 23 for Wednesday programs, and March 25 for Friday programs. For more information, contact Macki at 641.673.8411 or emily.macki@mahaskaymca.org.
