The Sanatoga Post

TRICK-OR-TREAT (INSIDE, WHERE IT’S WARM!) – Children in costumes of all kinds packed Friday night (Oct. 28, 2011) into the gymnasium and other rooms at the Freedom Valley YMCA branch in Pottstown PA (right) to enjoy its annual Halloween Safe House. Groups like Doug’s Corner, a community service organization consisting of students at Montgomery County Community College, and other businesses and service clubs donated and helped distribute treats while the kids went trick-or-treating from table to table indoors. Other supervised Halloween activities were similarly held Friday night at the Brusters ice cream franchise and the Philadelphia Premium Outlets both in Limerick PA. Some of the seasonal events were advanced, or moved back, by a day to Friday or Sunday (Oct. 30) in anticipation of a winter storm predicted to hit our area tonight (Oct. 29).

Photo by Alana Mauger via YFrog

POTTSTOWN PA – The Freedom Valley YMCA branch at 724 N. Adams St., Pottstown PA, may seem to be the center of the Pottstown universe Saturday (April 9, 2011).

Exaggeration? Maybe. But there’s undeniably a lot going on at the popular Y this weekend.

Those who don't dodge, succumb

It plans a free Healthy Family Event from 10 a.m. to noon, which features a moon bounce, visits from Rainbow the Clown, a variety of vendors, child finger-printing sponsored by the Pottstown Police Department, family dodgeball games, family kickball games, family Zumba dancing, information about the Y Summer Camp and Y Youth League, and prize raffles.

A free community swim also will be offered, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

And the day gets started early with the Y’s 10th annual Spring Forward 5K or 1-Mile Walk for Y Cares fund-raisers. Y Cares is Freedom Valley’s annual support campaign, which seeks donations to help make YMCA programs and services available to individuals and families with limited ability to pay.

For more information on the events or the campaign, call 610-323-7300.

Photo from Google Images

LIMERICK PA – A new camp experience at the Spring Valley branch of the Freedom Valley YMCA, 19 W. Limerick-Trappe Rd., Limerick PA, promises to help children who need assistance with social skills increase their self-confidence and better connect with peers, the Limerick-Royersford-Spring City Patch online news service reported Friday (March 4, 2011).

The Spring Valley YMCA branch on West Limerick-Trappe Road.

The new camp, called Camp AKAI (All Kids Are Individuals), is an extension of the Freedom Valley YMCA’s existing co-ed summer camp programs. Open to children ages 5-12, Camp AKAI is billed as providing a small and supportive environment with a social skills focus.  Enrollment is now under way.

• Read a story, written by reporter Marcia Hershberger Benton, and published Friday in The Patch, here.

Photo from the Freedom Valley YMCA

POTTSTOWN PA – A series of free and fun activities for families are scheduled over two consecutive nights during the second week of January (2011) at the Freedom Valley YMCA, 724 N. Adams St., Pottstown PA, its organizers say.

A ZUMBA Night for families with children age 8 and older, which features the international dance fitness program, will be held Jan. 5 (Wednesday) from 6-7 p.m. Then, on Jan. 6 (Thursday) from 6-7:30 p.m., the Y plans a Family Sing-A-Long and Swim program for those with children age 6 and younger.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

At least one parent must accompany their children for either program. Advance registration is required by Jan. 3 (Monday). For more information or to register, call Lynn at 610-323-7300.

POTTSTOWN PA – The 7th annual Winter Blast Invitational “Swim Your Own Age” Meet, conducted by the Freedom Valley YMCA, is scheduled to be held Dec. 27 (2010; Monday), with warm-ups starting at noon and the meet at 2 p.m. in the Y, 724 N. Adams St., Pottstown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

The meet is open to youths age 12 and younger, and they are not required to be a current member of a swim team to participate. Ribbons and meet winner awards will be presented, along with a gift to all entrants. Entry costs are $3.50 per individual or $14 per relay. In case of inclement weather, the meet will be re-scheduled to Dec. 28 (Tuesday).

For more information, call 610-323-7300.

Winter programming awaits!

POTTSTOWN PA – Registration for the Freedom Valley YMCA winter program session, which begins Jan. 10 (2011) and runs through Feb. 27, will be held daily during regular hours at the Y, 724 N. Adams St., Pottstown PA. Y fitness and wellness classes and programs are available for all ages. They include aquatic programs, cycling, ZUMBA and Kettlebell training.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

For more information, call 610-323-7300.

You! Hungry?

POTTSTOWN PA – Santa’s making his list and checking it twice, and to be sure he gets a reasonable impression of how just good you’ve been this year, the folks at the Pottstown branch of the Freedom Valley YMCA suggest that you join him for breakfast.

The Y’s “Breakfast with Santa” event will be held next Saturday (Nov. 27, 2010) from 8-11 a.m. in its building at 724 N. Adams St., Pottstown PA. Proceeds from the pancakes and sausage breakfast it serves will benefit the YMCA’s Seahawk National Swim Team. Tickets are available at the YMCA in advance or at the door; $5 for ages 12 and older; $3 for ages 3-11; and free for children age 3 and younger.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Photo opportunities with St. Nick also will be available. For more information, call 610-323-7300.

Camps offer lots of choices for exploration.

POTTSTOWN PA – An open house Saturday (Jan. 30, 2010) from 8-11 a.m., which will promote 11 weeks of fun scheduled for area youths later this year, launches the 2010 Summer Camp registration drive for the Pottstown branch of the Freedom Valley YMCA, 724 N. Adams St., Pottstown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Kids between the ages of 3 and 11, and their parents, can learn more during the open house about camp themes and activities, as well as enroll in their favorites during weeks of their choice. All campers will receive a free T-shirt and be entered in a drawing to win a free week in camp.

Later this summer the Y will operate, on Mondays through Fridays,:

• a Mini-Explorers camp, for ages 3-5, from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Y;
• a Junior Explorers camp, limited to 5-year-olds, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., also at the Y;
• an Explorers camp for youths in grades 1-5, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Y, as well as at East Coventry Elementary, West Vincent Elementary, Amity Intermediate, and Birdsboro Elementary schools; and
• a Discovery Camp, also for grades 1-5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Y.

Some camps will conduct activities that coincide with themes like Go Green Together, Food for Thought, Challenge Week, Friends Friends Friends, and Got Talent? Discovery Camp themes include Wildlife Explorers, Splash Camp, and a Physical Challenge.

The Y reports it will conduct other open house events Feb. 20 to introduce the public to the Y’s facilities during its free Trial Week; and April 17, to promote Healthy Kids Day.

Photo from Clipart.com

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The season starts Nov. 28.

POTTSTOWN PA – Registration for Pottstown YMCA Youth Basketball League play is being held daily through Nov. 28 (2009; Saturday) for ages 4-14 at the Pottstown branch of the Freedom Valley YMCA, 724 N. Adams St., Pottstown PA.

The youth league’s focus is to teach skills, develop team spirit, and build self-esteem. Teams will be divided into four age categories. Team screenings are scheduled for Dec. 5. The league season runs from December through Feb. 27 (2010).

Volunteers also are needed for coaching, “team parenting,” score-keeping and refereeing.  For more information, call 610-323-7300.

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This pellet-hungry goat probably wouldn't bite his hand, but you couldn't convince the youngster in the Phillies' cap of that.

POTTSTOWN PA – A DJ’s music Sunday (Oct. 11, 2009), during the afternoon Fall Fitness Festival at the Pottstown branch of the Freedom Valley YMCA, was snappy enough to get Joan Daly dancing.

Daly, executive director of the Y at Adams and Jackson streets in Pottstown PA, joined kids in some hip shaking on a parking lot outside the fitness center. The Y began its annual Healthy Family Week with the dance and other free activities meant to put a smile on their faces and some tone in their bodies.

Wanna spill those pins? Just flick your wrist and arch your back.

There was bowling to stretch the arms, the aforementioned dancing to stretch the legs, healthy snacks to stretch the stomach, a bounce castle to put all sorts of muscles to work, and a petting zoo for those who needed a break.

"I saw a pumpkin and it was thi-s-s-s-s big."

There were plenty of treats to fuel young stomachs.

And for those who chose to bust a move, a DJ held a dance competition.

Related (to the 2009 YMCA Fall Fitness Festival):

• Fall Fitness Festival Launches Family Week
• How To Play Dodgeball (YMCA Seahawks Edition)
• Celebration Launches Fitness Week
• Y Swimmers Benefit From Dodgeball

These photos appear in a set at The Post’s Flickr account; see them here.
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